Trying to Tri

"please excuse the mess,

2012-01-18T19:46:00.000-08:00

the children are making memories" (anonymous from pinterest.com)

one of the hardest things for me as a homemaker/momma is the constant state of mess.
the moment i finish cleaning the bathroom, there is some sort of an accident or spill on its floor.
the moment i finish cleaning the kitchen, someone tracks in mud, goat poop, or hay and dumps dirty dishes in the sink.
the moment i finish the laundry, it's time to get into pj's and put our day's clothing in the hamper.

this quote gives me a little hope that someday, this perpetual pile of laundry will be forgotten,

and what will remain are the memories the children made.

The way we roll

2012-01-17T18:29:00.000-08:00

Winter has finally come and gifted us a little snow that has stuck. It seems delayed and discombobulating.

In preparation of the winter season, we purchased an annual family pass to Thanksgiving Point. It was pretty expensive, and it took a while to cull the finances to do it, but it is exactly what we need. At least once a week, we go there. Sometimes we meet friends, sometimes we take visitors, sometimes we meet up with mr. j who works within the Thanksgiving Point real estate expanse, but mostly we spend some quality three musketeer wheeler girl time together. It's quiet during the day during the week and we never tire of the farm, nor the dinosaur museum, (and being completely honest) nor from the complimentary ice cream cones for the girls. :)

readying selves for tractor ride

pony rides

assessing the goats....e seems unimpressed, while h is more enthusiastic

Pictures! Finally ;)

2012-01-13T00:05:00.001-08:00

So much propaganda of late, right?
Back to an easy breezy post with a picture of e

kaity and craig threw their annual gingerbread house decorating party and we were lucky enough to be invited a second year! secretly, but now www publicly, i hope they continue this tradition for the rest of our lives. i love being together as a family decorating and creating.
read all the deets here.
mr j, seriously outdid himself this year and blew our socks and, subsequently, trousers off with his two-story japanese inspired abode.
i am learning to never doubt this man.

we had a very quiet and peaceful Christmas.

our new year was pretty rockin' though.
so stay tuned...

worked up

2012-01-09T19:21:00.001-08:00

re: the supposed kardashian and mattel hookup to produce limited edition barbies...
I am more upset that Barbies exist in general, than the fact that individuals chosen to team up with Mattel might not be good role models. Barbies are just the beginning of a lie our society complicity sells in terms of how females are supposed to look.
The rumor claims the dolls will recreate the girls' measurements as well as their fashion/look. Which measurements? The photoshop'd ones? The "me at my best weight" ones? The "me during the holiday eating free for fall" ones?
Kardashians and Barbies already exist in the same category for me. My daughters (4 and 2 yrs old) will not be exposed to either in our home as minors.
Check out www.beautyredefined.com and www.missrepresentation.com for groups of people that are working on addressing this issue.
mother of two,
A

another annoucement

2012-01-09T00:46:00.000-08:00

sheesh! right?
stop it with all the announcing already.
mr. j and i have been working like beavers to get this going.
and we just cannot help sharing!
we have already secured and begun work on two very substantial ebook contracts. it's rewarding work and the perk of "having" to read has quickly revealed its solace for my soul.

we feel like a powerful team, working together in total unison to accomplish goals we set together.
i am tremendously humbled by the goodness in our lives right now.

Very exciting news!

2012-01-05T12:35:00.000-08:00

I have teamed up with Camilla at CandiedApples.blogspot.com!
Check it out, please!
This is a really big deal to me.
I have been scheming and creating gifts, ideas, projects--and searching for a creative outlet reservoir for deposits (I know, mixed metaphors) :)
Basically, I'm pleased as punch to join her very substantial and established CandiedApples.blogspot.com.
Camilla is a terrifically creative and skilled woman. I miss spending a weekly sewing session or outing with the little ones since we moved to the mountainlands.
Please look for my creative projects there!

Also, my sister(in law) tiffany and brother damon have been after me for a while now to start a prix fixe menu restaurant at our dacha. I am hoping to foray (the intransitive verb def: to make a raid or brief invasion) into the venture. The plan is to showcase any and all such ventures on CandiedApples.blogspot.com.

So, please, wish me luck and check us out from time to time!
Hugs.
a

Red Flies Through the Fence

2011-12-18T16:46:00.000-08:00

(second to last catch up!!!! from 10.15.2011)

Kaity is really amazing. You might remember the flying pictures of e and @masonjanis from the spring this year (2011). She captured my favorite hen leaping up onto and through the front-yard "fence".
She's a Red Rhode Island, thus her name-Red.
Her partner in numerous escape adventures is Pepper.
Faster than sin.
Meaner than second skimmings (Anne of Green Gables reference).
Pictured faithfully near her.
Man, that fence needs a paint job.
We will be waiting until spring.
Obviously. (Harry Potter reference)

Thanks Kaits for spending so much time at the farm in 2011. We all needed that time together. Love you.

buelo and buelabuela

2011-12-17T20:00:00.000-08:00

warning: this is one the last catch up posts pending as drafts...this one is from october (composed 11/9/2011...sheesh!)

h thought that mr. j's mom was called buelobuela.

when e was born, we had lofty plans of trilingualism. we hit the languages hard from day one with e. her first words were mixes of all three languages. we haven't abandoned these goals, but the intensity of the russian and spanish language use has definitely dwindled. so, e knows mr. j's parents as buelo and buela (her nicknames for abuelo and abuela, Spanish for grandmother and grandfather). so when they came to visit in october, h tried out her new verbal skills.
at first gma sherri was buelobuela. gndpa was nothing. then she got the concept that he had a name too. by the end of the visit, she had figured out that gndpa was a distinct and named person, 'buelo,' but gma sherri, officially became 'buelabuela'. i love her repetitive enthusiasm as she explains who gave her socks, candy, undies, stickers, clothes... BUELABUELA! :)
smiles miles wide over here.
the visit was amazing. some really critical projects were accomplished on the property and we were able to experience a bit of the natural majesty that this beehive state offers. i think buela's favorite was lunch at sundance ski resort, and the alpine loop drive. sundance is nestled into the backside of timpanogos mountain. the colors were still beautiful and the day was clear for uninterrupted visions of mountain ranges repeating into all horizons. buelo's was building a gate and dreaming up a portico concept for our side "back" door. we were so glad to have them and spend time together. love fest.

an early buelo concept of portico.

thanksgiving point ice cream. a favorite in our home! free cones for the little ones and that big one is $2.50!?!

a wheeler wagon ride. look at those cool dudes in shades. lol

all the men in my life: (left to right) grumpa (my dad), buelo (mr. j's dad), and mr j fixing the pasture fence and making a gate!!!!!

buelo with the girls. look at h's hand. that's love.

enjoying a beautiful fall day at sundance. soaking in the sun

gorgeous sundance. gorgeous girls.

back of Timpanogos from Kaity's lens

the repeating mountain ranges into the horizon again from Kaity's lens

the aspens on aspen loop through Kaity's lens

farewell buelo and buela day :(

Poverty Month: Take Two

2011-12-16T14:35:00.000-08:00

I am going to do it again.
I plan to start out the new year with a zero spending month (even though e's birthday is in january, i think i can pull that off with what we have around and some creative substituting).
Last year, we turned our house into a circus tent and had family join us for her big day. A couple of days ago she informed me that we had royally messed up her birthday last year. Instead of a circus party, we should have done a Tangled party (i am not even sure the movie was released at that time).
This comment, in the context of a wake of ingratitude and sassy talk, has tempted me to box up everything and ditch it. I mean everything. Like leave 10 outfits per person to cover the myriad of occasions that come up, 5 toys per kid, of course leave all my kitchen stuff (hypocrisy at it's finest, eh?) and fabric and donate or sell the rest.
Even the antique grand piano may be on notice.
That's bit extreme (right?!), but it has me thinking.
I may possibly extend the spend nothing month to month and hit a whole year (awed nod to Camilla at acandiedapple.blogspot.com for her 2011 effort in this regard). We'll see.
I can forsee having to make exceptions for technology needs for our growing business (voicesindependent.com), building supplies for projects around the farm, and traveling to visit family.
But, there is this desire welling up in me to shake the materialism and simply make do.
Why not make a goal to read a book every week like my admirable and ambitious dear friend, Betsey? Why not?
Anyway, that's kinda what's brewing in my brain these days.
Simplify.
Conserve resources.
Read.
Live in gratitude.
Be happy.
Last weekend I was able to go to DC to be with my favorite people. The experience connected me to a part of me that has been lost for some time. I felt happiness and peace, a spiritual feast of clarity.
And you know what?
I didn't need to buy anything.
I am happy surrounded by ambition, creativity, goodness, interesting people, and variety.
Now to bring all that into my quiet farm world in the west.

h christmas 2010

e on our thankful porch 2011

a new arrival

2011-12-03T01:27:00.000-08:00

another animal, not another baby.
he is still unnamed. e voted for strawberry maxwell boone taye. i vetoed that one.
i am voting for kotyonik, kot for short (russian for male cat). sorta in the "breakfast at tiffany's" vein.
it hasn't stuck.
so poor unnamed cat.
he's loved.
he brings our household gender ratios into a closer balance.
he was easier to potty train than my darlings.

i'm a catch-up mom

2011-11-29T23:48:00.000-08:00

because i cannot let a good (or otherwise) idea go. if i decide to do something, then i do it...at some point.
lol at myself.
so, here is my catch-up blog for halloween.
please.
don't laugh.
i.
know.
my girls were hula girls. grandma diana sent us outfits from hawaii! when we opened the package, i was the most relieved mom on earth. i just cannot wrap my head around halloween. overwhelms me. probably just buckling under the pressure to create.
we opted for rash guards instead of the triangle tops. and i love how it turned out. sometimes i am jealous of the closeness these two are going to have the rest of their life. i always did want to be a twin. again, kaity, blows our socks off with her mad photo skills. they actually look like they are in hawaii, not in the desert!

because he is heat-trace amazing

2011-11-26T23:55:00.000-08:00

you may know this, but we don't sleep much or enjoy much all-together-family time. mr j and i work a lot. we are trying to make some dreams come true, which means burning the candlestick on both ends (as my mother would say).
so, i'm at work until 2:30a tonight and mr j has successfully put the girls down for bed, snuck outside, hooked up his work lights, and heat-traced our PLUMBING out to the goats (that's right!!! no more hauling buckets of water in the freezing cold, or breaking ice, or... Turn on faucet and viola!) and installed a loft in the goat house so the hay is right on hand when it's time to feed. it's not pretty yet, and we still need to insulate (strike we, he needs to insulate) and build a base for the buckets and enclose the pipes in an attractive manner, but that is a project for next weekend when the girls go to bed and i work.
it's so cold now during the day, the girls get sick if they play outside for much more than 20 minutes.
so poor mr j is stymied.
so there he is, sneaking out of the house (so the girls don't insist on joining him) to build stuff.
here's the result:

and here's the pilgrim bonnets and hats i made for the thanksgiving roasted beast feast:

isn't kaity amazing?

thankful for him.

Sin is a Symptom, Demand Improvement From Ourselves

2011-11-24T13:05:00.001-08:00

I came upon this this morning--

Past LDS President Spencer W. Kimball taught: “Jesus saw sin as wrong but also was able to see sin as springing from deep and unmet needs on the part of the sinner.” He then counseled that if we hope to change our own habits or help someone else change theirs, we must “look deeply enough . . . to see the basic causes for . . . failures and shortcomings” (Teachings of Spencer W. Kimball, ed. Edward L. Kimball [1982], 481–82).

On this thankful day, I have turned my heart to gratitude. The exercise allowed me to discover that I can see the failings of others (and myself) as symptoms of deeper unmet needs. Seeing thus, I am compelled to sympathy and love, rather judgement and unkindness. LDS Elder Russell M. Nelson counsels us to be patient with ourselves and others--not to demand things that are unreasonable, demand improvement (watch it here).

What a beautiful way to see humanity.

Happy thanks day!

My "Thanks" burlap banner drying on chairs:

Not quite dry turkey (stolen from google.com's image):

Apple doesn't fall far from the tree

2011-10-15T22:32:00.001-07:00

Tonight I got home from work to mr j and the girls in the garage. Last Saturday we raised a barn (more of that here). We hadn't quite recovered this week (house, kitchen floor, garage)--there were still little messes everywhere. So mr. j determined that tonight he was getting his workshop and garage at large in line.
h used the tape measure at every opp.
e used the power drill and screw driver and leftover wood to create a "window"

her plan is to put paper behind the window frame, sketch a scene on it, and then add a few children in the foreground looking through the window at the view she creates on the paper.
genius.
okay. i've really tried not to be that mom, you know that one that is painfully biased and braggy. but seriously?! i am so inspired by her creativity! we helped her assemble the pieces, work through a few design glitches along the way, drill out counter sinks and hold the drill while she put the screws in. the screws along the bottom are her concept of hooks. probably for hats, she says.

cowgirls

2011-10-15T20:04:00.000-07:00

almost done cleaning up my blog drafts... this one is from July 26, 2011, Pioneer Day in these parts:

oh.
no.
we have a mad-skilled great grandma with an incredible vision.
how did she know the rodeo was THIS weekend? amazing. now @masonjanis can keep our maximus for keeps! :)

apparently they make 'em (cowgirls) in utah too, auntie kj!

We believe in progression

2011-10-15T16:32:00.000-07:00

This touched me tremendously.

The first time I went to a Killers concert, I was more musically taken by Keane who opened. That was a great night. I still wear my concert t-shirt to remind me of the good time--I pair it with a collared pink geometric print silk shirt. I feel hard-core, modest and age-appropriate all at the same time.
*smile*

Brandon's journey is beautiful. It illustrates the central concept of my life--people can change, our belief in God (a testimony) evolves as we experience.

Thanks, Kasey for sharing this, thus bringing a more profound meaning to my neckless, sleeveless, gray with pink lettering Killers concert tee.

Me at work (sadly no known pictures of the t-shirt pairing ensemble are available as this goes to print)

Dreams can come true, right?

2011-10-11T20:09:00.000-07:00

So when I work, I pinterest.com (but I won't create a log in and commit)
This is a dream:

(http://designed-for-life.tumblr.com/post/10983058979)

Seth Godin

2011-09-30T20:14:00.000-07:00

He's brilliant. My bro, Damon, tuned me into this guy's "Purple Cow" book over a year ago and mr. j and I have been digesting it slowly. Seth blogs. Tonight at work we had a rare slow moment and I was able to read a few of these blogs. One hit me square in the face.
BAM.
Not really a busted nose.
Check it out.
In the last two weeks, I've been the recipient of some pretty insensitive comments. Not too much out of the mortal-experience-living-with-other-human-beings-who-are-from-time-to-time-super-insensitive-(knowingly or unknowingly) ordinary, but it was pretty rough to stomach.
I was so worked up about the comments. Not just angry, but confidence shaken, insecure, sorta sick to my stomach, yup, must-really-be-a-loser-after-all conclusion.
A few days into this, I got it.
Ah.
I'm insecure.
Excellent.
There it was. I wasn't like this before. I don't remember exact moments of how I arrived. But somehow I have changed and started caring about opinions. Opinions I cannot influence.
So, true to my nature, once a problem is recognized or articulated, I started working on resolution. And I can report very good progress on that front.
Go me!
Back to Seth. I don't really thrive on competition in a traditional way. I feel too sorry for losers and would rather finish last so someone else doesn't have to. But that is a form of competition too. It's not honest (mostly to myself). It's still too aware of the competitors around me.
Seth claims, "Self motivation is and always will be the most important form of motivation."
Cannot disagree with that.
Going to end with this picture of h's crib. aunt erin made this gorgeous blanket for her and it makes her so happy. i could take a few lessons for my little 2-yr old re self motivation and confidence. She is as shy as they come, but man, does she self motivate and make choices in utter confidence. Love this little girl so.

The Greatest Nut

2011-09-28T02:32:00.000-07:00

My Dearest Nut,

It is something very special to be a "PapA" and it is only made more beautiful by your careful little personality. I love the way you think things through, your sincerity and your desire to please. At only two, it is obvious that those attributes are genuine and come from somewhere deeper than I think we can understand. I love you for that and for a million reasons more. I would say that I can't wait to see where you end up but I am more excited to spend every possible moment with you while you get there. I love you my little nut. -Papi

2011-09-28T00:31:00.001-07:00

She's two. Whoa. I wasn't ready for that. Happy birthday h-nut. You bring so much happiness into our family. You inspire me to be a better person. I love your affection and your personality. You are deliberate and honest. And you never stop singing. Ever. You are the hardest working, most helpful toddler I've ever met. Thank you for sharing the last two years. Looking forward to our twinkle twinkle lawn pj party on thursday!

"Month of Poverty" Confessions

2011-09-24T19:27:00.000-07:00

Pretty typical of the last year of my life....but here is the post I wrote 8/31 and now am posting 9/24:
The month ends tonight.
I can report on a variety of unexpected expenses.
Boo.
Hiss.
A speeding ticket, resulting in a court visit, resulting in forking out $120, plus another $179 for vehicle registration in the beehive state, and a beehive state driver's license at $25, left me distanced from my anticipated $0 position. Seriously, mapleton. Seriously, maryland. Anyway.
Then there were the 4-5 emergency food stops...
And then there was the purchase of the most amazing baby carrier. Ever. Ergobaby and Costco unite. We had a scout hike scheduled and the baby bjorn was not going to cut it with h. She's a beast to tote. And with the distance planned, e was going to need a break too, so the kelty pack would be occupado.
Rationalizations.
I admit.
Bottom line the thing was $80 and I've never seen them for less than $100.
So other than the "emergencies," it was an excellent exercise in restraint.
I started wish lists and soul-searched my needs vs wants.
I was able to produce creative service, birthday gifts, meals for last-minute dinner guests and new mommas, dinner parties for family, and host out of town guests (please come back tayes').
I baked three custard rhubarb pies without eggs (ground flax seed, baby).
Forced myself to extend my reuse and recycle.
BUT.
The most amazing things I learned this month were about the dears in my life:
cheri, you bought me a bolt of ikea children's fabric that will make me emotional every time i see the items made from it. that was probably one of my tops gifts. ever. your support guided my determination to stick with the plan. i didn't want to let you down.
mom, you brought me eggs three times this month. i love you and appreciate your continual support as i strive to breed self-discipline in my character.
rachel, the dozens of kindnesses that you plunk down to help me stay on track with my crazy goals.
mica, creative ideas of playdates that are free, plus your generosity in sharing your zoo pass with us.
aline, patiently meeting for lunch where you order and i produce an assortment of home-grabbed randomness. :)
husband, you are always game for whatever adventure i throw down. trooper.
So, next month my goal is to spend $300 on food and $200 on fuel. I have money budgeted for h's big TWO party. Other than that, it's the same story. Let's see if I stick to it!

Here's pre-hike proof of my obedience to local laws

Best sisters forever

e is a mountain goat! She always finds a good walking stick and uses it the whole hike :)

Worms

2011-09-06T13:13:00.000-07:00

Sometimes, when I have the girls on a Friday or Saturday night, we go for a treat at the store. This past Saturday, we went our local grocery store which has a large selection of fun, traditional candies. The girls both choose gummy worms.

As we were getting back into the car, I was helping e understand what a 'dent' was, with the hope that she would be more careful when opening her door in a parking lot. We said the word so many times that h took it to mean, 'gummy worms'. She kept holding her bag in the air and saying "den! den!". I tried to explain to her that the real word was 'worms'.

e took up the explanation by stating that the worms were not real and that it was perfectly okay to eat them. She told h that she had nothing to worry about. Then there was a bit of a pause as e thought about what she had just explained before she said "...they catch them and turn them into candy".

Satisfied with her explanation she turned to her own bag of worms.

Brillant ditigal multi-media

2011-08-30T23:59:00.000-07:00

Nickolay Kravtsov, this is a brilliant idea! I will definitely try this a some point:

These images remind me a lot of my marriage: today with yesterday. Neither standing quite independent. It's lovely.

Here's the blog, buyer beware--it's in Ukrainian

Rags to Riches

2011-08-30T20:51:00.000-07:00

Dearest tayes' came to visit.
I like to think they coincidentally saw their families while they were here to see us. ;)
Almost two years ago I purchased fabric at Ikea for $2.99/yard. Heavy, upholstery, canvas gorgeousness.
At the time I lived in Takoma Park, MD.
Visions, strike that, delusions of grandeur.
When A-prime walked into my living room in Mapleton, UT and there sat the untouched couch, I knew what she would "make" me do.
We spent a mad 24 hours cutting, sewing piping, and confirming strategies. When she left I had salvaged zippers from cushions ready for install, cut fabric ready for piecing, and confidence to complete the job. Every spare minute I have, I work on it--about 20 minutes 3-4 times a week.
I haven't taken pictures quite yet, so I'll include a shot of the skirts we made from one of my old skirts whose waist had lost the elastic (years ago...I am somewhat of an acknowledged hoarder)...

Aren't good friends that push us to do and be what we dream of doing and being just lovely?

2011-08-26T19:58:00.001-07:00

Happiness. They help me find joy in life. This month is going well with no purchases. I have caved a few times and I'll def report, but all-in-all I did it and we are on track to meeting our goals. So with zero temporal distraction these girls have become the focus and are teaching me to find joy in unexpected, yet obvious, places. The secret to life, if you will... :)

Uh oh. The rationalization is

2011-08-07T20:44:00.001-07:00

Uh oh. The rationalization is starting already?!? Couch/car change doesn't count right??Never fear though, I will resist. :)

So our trip to the dentist went pretty well...

2011-08-03T22:55:00.001-07:00

They walked away with princess toothbrushes, floss, and paste--
one happily napped and the other nick jr'd to satisfaction.

A month of spending nothing, unless it’s a planned bill/expense in the budget

2011-08-03T22:26:00.001-07:00

August 2011.

This is the plan: having just stocked up at Costco, I plan (1) to purchase nothing for the household, (2) to not engage in eating out, (3) to spend nothing on groceries (I have full cupboards/freezer and a fledgling garden), nor (4) to indulge in any fabric purchases (my main financial temptation) the entire month. We are working towards some incredible financial goals and if I can do this, we will meet some of them.

It’s edgy.

It’s painful.

It’s a proving ground.

A talented friend at A Candied Apple is not buying anything new in 2011, so I can do one month, right?! Right?!

*Grimace*

I haven’t littered this blog with the struggles we have been facing, culminating in a move to *gasp* Utah in October 2010. Some have been financial, others interpersonal, still others a test of my faith and stamina. Remember when I noted that on our drive home from Nauvoo we had a chance to redirect our family’s course? It’s one of those decisions in life to which later you may trace many beautiful experiences and successes.

Tangent—there have been a few of those moments already: my decision to stay in school at Brigham Young University (BYU) after my freshman year there; my decision to serve a full-time mission for the LDS church in Moscow, Russia for 18 months; my decision to move to Washington, DC upon graduation; and of course, my decision early in the fall of 2006 to marry mr. j, after we were engaged (amazing story), while standing on the piers at Peterhof, just outside St Petersburg, Russia. Having my girls has also been amazing. I can honestly say I have given myself over to motherhood, and though the beautiful experiences are obvious, the successes are not quite as apparent. The obligatory rolling over, sitting up, crawling (sorta), walking, talking, potty-training—definitely, but the development of character, accrual of knowledge, and prudent life choices aren’t really there yet.

Anyway, back on topic—from the moment our family redirected our course, we have been overwhelmed by the amazingly good and the amazingly bad—from physical to emotional to mental to temporal. About three weeks ago I began to unravel. At first I thought it was normal due to stress and demands, and then it was apparent it was not normal. Luckily, with a little lab blood work, we figured out what was going on and I am feeling better every day. During that time, things fell off the priority list, and other things came into discernable focus. What a gift! I am armed with a clear vision of what needs to happen and what I can do to make it happen. And you know what? It’s happening.

And when I say, “I”, I mean “us”—me and my mr. j. Not usually prone to public displays of affection with mr.j, I dedicate this post to him, my partner in all endeavors.

And may the force be with me as I try to exercise some restraint this month :).

The girls being girly with our favorite neighbor young woman

My view of the girls and the sunflowers from my perch on the rock wall

2011-07-19T15:36:00.001-07:00

Oldie but goodie. Vintage = quality and results you can count on. I am relieved to be sewing again. It's therapeutic to create something that stays created (at least until you mail it and then you don't have to personally experience the clean it, clean up, clean out syndrome...)! Can I get an, 'Amen!' ? :)

2011-07-17T10:49:00.001-07:00

One of the reasons I appreciate mr j. The hand watering was getting to be a bit much. I can always count on him to be brilliant with materials on hand, minimal purchases at our local Sunroc, and anticipating the big picture of my vision. So this one's a thank you to you, mr j. Homesteading with you is a fine adventure. -wifey

We made the big times!!!!

2011-07-09T18:55:00.000-07:00

Rockville, Maryland.
818 Crothers Lane.
Those were some amazing years.
I had roommates, between 4-10, at any given time and we loved to throw parties.
Our zenith was Curry Fest 2007. We created a blog (iheartcurry.blogspot.com), made t-shirts (i heart curry), posted recipes, advertised shamelessly and secured the most amazing venue .
Our shirts are still out there, I see them from time to time, but this was a total surprise!
In India!

Hunting for watercress

2011-07-08T20:16:00.000-07:00

We went looking for this:

With this besty-best:

And I realized that my little munchkin is all grown up:

And I realized that we really need one of these:

And we were all happy.
p.s. still am :)

2011-07-03T21:35:00.001-07:00

Mr. J makes fast work with the wall. It's temporarily permanent :). And isn't e's red tank top for a skirt and dress as tunic fabulous? Lol.

2011-06-24T20:29:00.001-07:00

Masonry awaits. This picture is so exciting I am about to jump through this keyboard and do a schimmie, schimmie, rock step, spin! Our kind neighbor, and owner of a john deere tractor, moved these huge rocks from the pasture to the orchard--where we are going to build a sweet little stone wall!!!!!!! It's so exciting to realize dreams and projects! There are already tiny pears, plums, apricots, peaches, and apples dotting the trees--promising deliciousness and delightful consumption. Our roses are blooming in neon pink, country yellows, and ultra-feminine shades of 'rose.' I pinch myself a couple of times a day just to make sure I am awake. Yes. I get to live in a little garden of Eden. Yes. I get to connect with nature's rhythm and learn from her, in patience, in diligence, in steadily marching on. Grateful for life.
For love.
For a second chance.
Every.
Single.
Day.

2011-06-24T19:50:00.000-07:00

Seriously, utah! Your sky is too much sometimes. I am falling in love with you. Stop it.

changing of tides

2011-06-21T21:00:00.001-07:00

Our dacha has seen a steady flow of janises' since the weather warmed up and we have loved every minute! The girls wake up every day wondering who we will see and where we are going...i'm pretty sure they are having fun this summer.
So, big time treat: yesterday and today we had wheeler texas family. The long awaited meeting of baby p occurred! She's cute, she's fat (relatively...), she's disinterested in greek yogurt, and very interested in strawberries, with wheeler eyes and pretty much everything else burnham, she stole our hearts and left us wanting more! She conquered the goats (even hee haaw rode a few), took a flying leap of joy from a standing-propped-up-by-little-black-goat position (which resulted in flat-backing it on the dirt), slept twice, plus a solid eleven hour night with only one feeding interruption, and never stopped babbling and making raspberries. oh, and we sure didn't mind her mom and dad either ;).
the days were a bit hectic and i didn't capture anywhere close to the pictures i would have liked, and one cannot post bathtime pictures on an open blog...so you are stuck with pictures of my girls in their papi day attire from abuela in MD. e's face is her version of "make up" and h has the customary "neh neh" around her neck.
so, kj, n8, please come back, in say, july? so we can get some more pictures :) thanks for a relaxing day and the excuse to make delicious chicken salad!
oh, and btw, kj has this great way of cooking sweet potatoes: wedge 'em, sprinkle 'em with cinnamon, and bake 'em. YUM!

2011-06-16T20:14:00.001-07:00

Couldn't resist blogging this picture. My dear roommate, Apey, used to say 'team work doesn't seem work', and this is just that, no?

2011-06-14T22:42:00.001-07:00

Root cellar day spa. Sorta a neighborhood attaction. :) I cannot get enough of h. She is shy, brave, curious, and joins in any and all fun! My favorite is when she sings along to celine dion...she gives it her all for sure. She's trying to potty train, but I am not ready for that. In the meantime we go through the 'permission granted to use your diaper' routine each time she lets us know it's time. Oh, little h, you still bring a love into this life that energizes us all. I love you, you crazy little nut.

2011-06-14T19:29:00.001-07:00

This is how h rolls...for lunch. Can you see all my productivity today (i.e. Laundry)? :) Both j and I are back to the work grind today. E had her dance recital dress rehearsal this afternoon. So a busy day back in the saddle, trading off kids, running around, unpacking, weeding, watering, transplanting peppers (there are purple ones in this mix!), and naps for girls. Now at work trying to not count the minutes...:) I love my babies and Mr. J. Spending a week with them away from responsibilities and such was so wonderful. Life is particularly busy right now with four jobs, eight (soon to be 10+) goats, two offspring, and 1.5 acres to tend to, so we relished our time last week together. Finding pleasure in the small and simple...that's what happening these days :) Cheers and good night

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2011-06-13T21:12:00.001-07:00

Cousin Sarah and e having the time of their lives in Nauvoo, IL

Reflections of Nauvoo

2011-06-13T09:27:00.001-07:00

My sister in law coined it best, 'I felt a call to be better, no guilt, just an inviting call.' And we have all answered. Every two years my six siblings and I and our spouses and our kids who can make it (now up to 27, plus 3 spouses and 2 great grand kids) all gather together to have fun and enjoy each other. This year we travelled from TX and UT and met in IL. We learned about the early LDS members and their lives in the late 1830s through the 1840s. We were entertained by full-time senior and youthful missionaries through song, dance, stories, tours and demonstations. We listened and learned how a group of people lived for their beliefs and left an Eden city, built in just 6.5 years, to find a place where they could live unmolested by misunderstanding mobs. When you come face to face with mighty people, the awe you can feel
either intimidates or inspires. Ours was the latter. We drove there and are driving back as you read this, so there has been plenty of time to talk and redirect our family's course in life. There is a lot of peace and assurance in this new course. What a wonderful vacation with my favorite people!

2011-06-13T09:01:00.001-07:00

Testing j's phone now...

2011-06-13T08:49:00.001-07:00

Testing. Testing. 1. 2. 3. Does mobile blogging work? May I now reenter my blog with ease?

2011-06-13T06:26:00.001-07:00

Testing. Testing. 1. 2. 3.

Brightness

2010-12-08T23:07:00.000-08:00

Today my visiting teachers came over.
e greeted them without a stitch of clothing on.
It was a work day, so we were fed, h had a clean diaper, and we were all in a safe state (yup, the physical kind!).
Basics.
Check.

They were sweet and understanding and looked right past the obvious, right into my heart. And they gave me delicious italian waffle cookies, pizelles
(pizelles), a candle and this:

"the future is as bright as your faith"

-President Thomas S. Monson

simple. profound. timely.

and then this...just to brighten up the post

Thanks and Beauty

2010-12-01T19:40:00.000-08:00

Ah!!!! The deliciousness of family, feasts, and free online karaoke! What a riot we had! I' m still riding the euphoric wave.

Our little girls have been a bit overwhelmed at the number of cousins and aunts and uncles that love them and want to hold them and the noise and the fun. But, Thanksgiving was the turning point. They now understand what a BIG family means = FUN! ;)

My brave sister in law had 38 people over for dinner. Big moments were a newly married niece delivering on the mashed potato assignment (fresh herbs ROCK!), my husband--dear mr. j--got a turkey leg (since "under 8" children went first, he cleverly recruited his wife, who recruited the 2-year old), an impromptu prep and performance of "For the Beauty of the Earth" (in which yours truly made her debut on youtube), a thrilling baby announcement of our dearly loved red heads, and then raucous karaoke!

A thankful season and a load of fun!

We are settling into our house and the biggest change is the kitchen size. Something about open space and gleaming white countertops, cupboards, and floor that makes me want to make a big 'ole mess of scrumptious food. THANK HEAVENS for dishwashers! Seriously.

Zero Percentile

2010-10-31T04:32:00.000-07:00

I was looking through pictures this morning, trying not to deal with the reality of more work when I just want to sleep, and found this one:

And h is literally in the zero percentile in weight!?!? She's actually on a fat diet: coconut yogurt, egg yolks, avocados, meat at every meal, NO fruit juice, NO empty calories. Apparently, due to genetics (shocking isn't it?!) our kids are on the small side, so the docs want to maximize opportunities for h to grow as big as her genetics will allow.

We made it!

2010-10-31T04:14:00.000-07:00

We are in Utah. Our stuff is in Utah.
Now begins the unpacking, setting up home.
Also begins the family and friends festing!
And of course, all the amazing pictures from my niece!

Squish!

2010-08-31T18:24:00.001-07:00

What else could a mom of such a squisher do?

Honesty

2010-08-28T04:42:00.000-07:00

I have been thinking a lot about reality and truth. In that vein, here is a end-of-the-day, no- touching-up photo of us all at sushi last night with my brother and nephew.

I could use a shower and fresh change of clothes.

But, the fact is that this photo was taken right before we ate this happiness:

And I stopped even caring about the fact that having H on my lap during the meal had resulted in serious coverage on the mom textile front.

It's HOT here!

2010-07-27T20:22:00.000-07:00

While everyone else melted during the move (dear friends, NOT us, from Maryland to Pennsylvania) this record breaking heat wave weekend, the baby cousins stayed cool in the pool in the backyard:

We found an amazing park up the street from our friends' new house:

And we are at the beach. Without Mr. j. :(

the true love!

2010-07-17T20:03:00.000-07:00

Appropriately titled by a dear friend on facebook.
Lina asked e to kiss me and this is what I got:

Dacha. Home.

2010-07-16T09:49:00.001-07:00

Wishing I was there with Her,
with a straw hat,
on my knees in the dirt,
smelling the ripening grapes,
inspecting each and every plant for potential and progress,
hearing the goats beg for more grape leaves,
stealing warm peaches off trees and gobbling them down before the juice hits my shirt,
stopping to survey where and what everyone is doing,
and just feeling so quiet inside.

Hazel and her pop

2010-06-26T20:48:00.000-07:00

Such fatness and such happiness!

All the headband pictures I've been posting are from my neices' wedding in April this year. What an incredible time we had with my family celebrating the creation of another family!

This little donut cherubic sweetness has taken us by quiet storm. At the moment, life is full of extremes on all points of the spectrum, but the love this little one had brought into our lives binds us all together fiercely.

This picture makes it easy to
smile
and then
feel
that life is good.

Fighting Terrapins

2010-06-10T19:25:00.000-07:00

Mr. J graduated...
in December 2009, technically.
Thanks to the snowmaggedon it was canceled.

So those Scottish wool jumpers I made in December seemed slightly inappropriate for April MD heat. However, it was the plan, and I like sticking to plans.

Go Terps!

Fancy NY Wedding!

2010-06-08T13:50:00.000-07:00

Our dear friends got hitched in New York a few weeks ago.
Translation: We had to secure mobile childcare.
Oh, and we HAD to go to NYC for the weekend, and we HAD to leave our kids to get all fancied up and party like we were still rockin' the Rockville years.

So, we called on a willing niece to let us fly her east. Dear girl, she gave up an extended weekend with hot single men, to fly to DC, to spend the weekend in NYC. I actually don't think there was anything about the arrangement that wasn't pretty much awesome, for both sides!

So we enjoyed a very new NYC experience with two kids and a teenage (technically...she's 19) niece.

And...

We loved it! We found the city very friendly to a double-wide stroller. Actually, the city was so much more accessible in terms of the populace. Kids bring people together--moms exchange knowing and sympathetic smiles, dads knowingly fling the 'hey, man! i'm a dad too!' nod at each other. Ages, frustrations, and humor are shared in seconds flat. New friends are made and then departed.

So, here a picture, by the wedding photographer, to show you what we are looking like these days. And don't mind Chen's goofy expression...

What's for dinner?

2010-06-08T10:55:00.000-07:00

the worst question i ask myself. ever.

i finally sat mr. j down on sunday and asked "what do you like to eat?" and then i took copious notes.

three years of marriage and i've never asked that question. i've definitely hinted, inferred, even suggested that he make some culinary demands, but never outright, straight-forwardly asked. it was actually a really fun conversation, one-sided as it was.

then i took some brain-time, a quick inventory of the freezer, fridge, and cupboards after my latest costco run, and did my best to apply my fledgling knowledge of whole grains to the anticipated palates in the context of our hot and humid climate.

result: two days of a planned dinner menu. i was shooting for more like 5-7 days, but i'll take what i can get.

sunday:
main entree =
phyllo dough strudels with chopped spinach, mushroom, and vidalia onions, seasoned with thyme, great northern bean "cream" sauce, a little pecorino romano, spicy mustard, and filled out with cooked red and white quinoa. i used olive oil to coat each layer of the dough before burrito-style rolling up the spinach and baking
sides =
steamed asparagus with a tiny little pink salt
grapefruit and avocado salad

monday
main entree =
chicken salad with celery, cooked red and white quinoa, sunflower seeds, and craisins, seasoned with old bay and helmann's mayo, served on a bed of homegrown spinach
sides (and in some cases optional toppings) =
diced tomatoes
sliced avocado
peeled and sliced cucumbers
grapefruit and avocado salad (again, i know! but the vinaigrette is so good for dipping the cucumbers!)

tonight =
the dreaded question remains unanswered.
it's naptime and i have 3.5 hours until go time...
wish me luck
any suggestions?

Most delicious salad ever

2010-06-07T16:43:00.000-07:00

Grapefruits and avocados, olive oil, lemon juice, mustard, and pepper.
Fresh, summery light, spicy, full of flavor and tang.

Thank you barefoot contessa, thank you!

p.s. here are the quantities and directions:

1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
1/4 cup freshly squeezed lemon juice
1 1/2 teaspoons kosher salt
3/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
1/2 cup good olive oil
4 ripe Hass avocados
2 large red grapefruits

Place the mustard, lemon juice, salt, and pepper in a small bowl. Slowly whisk in the olive oil until the vinaigrette is emulsified.

Before serving, cut the avocados in 1/2, remove the seeds, and carefully peel off the skin. Cut each half into 4 thick slices. Toss the avocado slices in the vinaigrette to prevent them from turning brown. Use a large, sharp knife to slice the peel off the grapefruits (be sure to remove all the white pith), then cut between the membranes to release the grapefruit segments.

Arrange the avocado slices around the edge of a large platter. Arrange the grapefruit segments in the center. Spoon the vinaigrette on top, sprinkle with salt and pepper, and serve.

My pee

2010-06-06T16:56:00.000-07:00

It's 30 minutes after she's been put to bed.
It's been 30 minutes of listening to her sing to herself instead of hunkering down.
She comes running out holding herself.
Announces, "E potty."
Papi shrugs, "Okay. Come on."
====
It's been 20 minutes after she's been put on the potty.
It's been 20 minutes of listening to her sing to herself instead of using the potty.
Papi begins his best child logic, "E, why haven't you gone yet?"
E, "Papi, e go peepee."
Papi, anxious to wrap things up, "What are you waiting for?"
E, "My pee!"

And a small shout out to our little doughnut:

Giving away the surprise effect of our 2011 NY card picture...in May

2010-05-08T06:13:00.000-07:00

Okay, so I post a lot about Heather's mad photo skills here. But look at these?!?! Thank you, m.e.

Quick note:
I spent 5+ weeks with my Utah family enjoying a college graduation, birthdays, a baptism, a WEDDING!, pilates, face time, and farm time. I cannot begin to boil the experience down into a post or even two. Suffice it to report, I love my family. They are my best friends. The girls learned so much while we were there. We miss them so much. Every. Day. We cannot wait for the harvest!

Nut

2010-05-04T16:40:00.001-07:00

Popi: What is Emmeline?
E: *hesitation*
Popi: *prompt* A girl?
E: *without hesitation* No, a big girl!
Popi: What is Popi?
E: A boy.
Popi: What is Momma?
E: A girl.
Popi: What is Hazel?
E: A nut.

The eyes watching my every move...

2010-04-08T13:35:00.001-07:00

Seriously?!

2010-04-05T22:38:00.000-07:00

My niece, heather is a magician with a photo wand:

Our Front Yard

2010-04-03T14:31:00.001-07:00

Yes! It is spring!!!

Headband Down!

2010-04-01T19:38:00.000-07:00

This winter I tried my hand at knitting. I ended up making some projects that didn't work out, and then used them to knit something else worthy of gifting/being worn. But no worries, it released mom-stress, gave me a sense of productivity at the end of each day, and developed new skills.

My longest on-going project was knitting headbands for my girls. I started WELL before Christmas and ended in January. I was so pleased with the result.

Here are a few pictures (again from the phone camera, so not that terrific in quality):

So, sadly I finish this post relating the tale of e's headband. It was her birthday. We dressed up in our child-finest and went to the grocery store for supplies: wax paper, baking spray, and anything else that caught our eyes. About 10 minutes into the venture, I noticed that e's headband was not on her head anymore. We ran around the store and the parking lot asking everyone we saw, checking in with the customer service desk--no one had seen anything, knew anything, returned anything. I called the store for a week afterward. Just in case. Nothing.

I still get a little sick to my stomach when I drive by that grocery store. One of those few things that just thinking about it makes me so sad I want to cry...just a little cry.

h still has hers and I love accessorizing her with something I spent hours making--something I designed and created. And it makes me a little sad.

So in an effort to let it go and move on, I use e's phraseology:
Headband, Down!

Body Out!

2010-03-29T12:14:00.000-07:00

In anticipation of Easter I share the following:

e enjoyed church with nanna and grumpa this last week. after nursery (the 3 and under class), she came home with a Jesus figure, a tomb, and a round stone (all out of paper). i began playing with her and with the figures, saying things like "Jesus is resurrected!" and "Jesus lives!" when i rolled the stone away from the tomb and peeked the Jesus figure out.

she tilts her head to the right side, raises her palms up in the air, and says, "Body out!"

smart kid.

Hello, again.

2010-02-25T19:27:00.000-08:00

It's been a while. I am sorry.
We had such a wonderful, happy, love-filled day.
I changed my 1 to 2 parent to child ratio outing strategy, putting h in the stroller, to doze at will, and lengthened the bjorn to accommodate e. Mr. Monkey (the safety strap--well, I call it that, j calls it the leash) kept her SAFE (again my word...) while walking, and when she tired, I lifted her up and kept her close.
She loved it.
I loved it.
The bjorn is built for weight, so my back loved it.
H snoozed and studied the world around her at will...as anticipated.
When we arrived home, e was such a happy girl.
She wanted to be with me, doing everything I did.
We cut mushrooms, dumped spinach, selected the very best Craisins from the bag, last minutely decided to add the lime- and chile-flavored peanuts, poured in cherry balsamic vinaigrette, and tossed the most amazing salad. ever.
I don't know when I have enjoyed her company more.
It even rubbed off on her appetite. She ate everything tonight: bread, salad, and soup. She even passed on dessert.
Okay, seriously, she passed on a CHOCOLATE dessert.
Hmm...I bet tomorrow is going to be a beast.

taken with the phone camera....
And apparently we take tea time pretty seriously here at casa de w.

And then just because she is my angel baby:

Jay's Birthday

2010-02-11T12:28:00.000-08:00

So, last night we celebrated Big Daddy Day (World Wide Edition)...AKA, Jay's birthday. Things went on as normally as they would any other night, despite the emotions that should have been present knowing that people you love, all around the world were celebrating your best friend's birthday who passed away two years ago. We had a grand time, eating big daddy's, playing with Emmeline, pretending Hazel could eat one. We even read the book Jay gave to e when she was born as a bed time story.

It wasn't until today that things settled in a bit. I was looking at all of the pictures from friends worldwide, and what we were doing finally hit home. Its hard for me sometimes to remember that I've lost him because I'm so sure that I'll see him again; we'll hang out, talk about years past, and probably say things we always wanted to say but didn't. Then we'll check in periodically like best friends do, and that'll be the way of it, forever.

I love everyone who is taking the time to enjoy his memories. I love them because they love Jay and because they help me not to loose the memories myself. So, thank you everyone who loves, for helping me...and happy birthday Jay.

We are expecting more of this...

2010-01-29T19:09:00.000-08:00

Taken the last storm we had: J pulling e behind on a cardboard box and string sled we improvised due to ill-preparation-for-first-major-storm-sledding-fun.

So we are hunkering down with visions of enjoying home-baked goods, our hearthfire, and each other's company.

Happy winter!

Rainbow Brite

2010-01-27T19:28:00.000-08:00

I sincerely hope that e is able to have friends like sweet little abi lu for the rest of her life!

No one to blame but the Momma

2010-01-07T08:00:00.000-08:00

Scene:
Airplane en route home.
Window seat occupied by toddler strapped into car seat.
Middle seat occupied by Momma.
Aisle seat occupied by sleeping infant angel.

Action:
'E, would you like some cranberry juice?'
Momma pours juice from can into ice-filled clear plastic cup.
Places can and juice-filled cup on tray in front of toddler.
'Chuck' episode begins playing on the overhead screens.
Momma plugs in noise-canceling headphones to catch the audio, hears only beeping, frantically starts changing channels.
Suddenly remembers to check on toddler.
Whips head around to find
toddler holding can upside down
over ice-, juice-filled cup,
can is practically empty now,
juice running over the cup's edge,
spilling all over tray,
finally resting in toddler's lap.
'E, i think the cup is full now. Would you like to take a sip.'
Momma muttering under her breath,
'At least i packed extra pjs and a waterproof lap pad.'

Refection:
I guess she's developed the fine motor skill of pouring.

Finale:
$1.50 laundry load

Mom's Roll Recipe

2010-01-06T10:44:00.003-08:00

As promised:

Soften in a bowl 1/4 cup warm water:

1 T yeast

1 t sugar

Scald in a pot:

1 cup milk

1 cube butter (1/2 cup)

Mix together in large bowl or processor with beaters (kitchen aid, bosch, etc.):

3 eggs

1/2 cup sugar

1 t salt

Change beaters to dough hook and add:

yeast combination

milk/butter

4 cups flour (rounded)

Cover mixing bowl with damp cloth and refrigerate overnight.

Next day: divide into 2 halves. Made balls out of both portions. Roll out on floured surface into 16" circle. Cut into 8 pizza-type slices, then roll each piece starting at the wide end, ending with the small tail-like end.

Place rolls on cookie/baking sheet. Put in a warm room and let rise until as large as you like (anywhere between 1.5 and 4 hours).

If desired brush with whipped egg yolk and water before baking.

Bake at 350 for 20 minutes on racks in the middle of the oven BUT watch carefully. I have burned these rolls at 15 minutes (granted my oven is wonky...). Look for golden color on the top. You may have to open one roll to make sure they have cooked all the way through and adjust oven temperature and baking time accordingly.

Optional toppings before baking: poppy seeds, sesame seeds, etc. We have never added these, but maybe there are some die-hard seed fans out there.

GOOD LUCK! And please let me know how they work out for you.

Mother

2010-01-03T21:01:00.000-08:00

These hands
have loved me from the moment I was conceived
These hands
have protected
have taught
have sculpted
me
These hands
have worked
have cried
have laughed...well, more giggles than laughs really
have prayed
have held me up
Hands that
are always there
These hands connect me
to then
to now
to tomorrow

I love these hands.

Thanks, Kaity for capturing her hands so beautifully.

The mouse must play while the cats are away

2010-01-03T13:50:00.000-08:00

Turns out, j is a gourmet.
From scratch.
Mixed and kneaded by hand.

(yes, i mean the him AND the challah)

My Little Holiday Nuts

2010-01-03T13:48:00.001-08:00

My niece is a brilliant photographer. Thank you, Heather. It was so delicious to see you.

Dreidels and Princesses

2009-12-08T22:29:00.000-08:00

I am changing.

In ways I really did not expect.

I took silver pipecleaners and made a star of david, but rethought the project and turned the tips up and bobby-pinned it in e's hair.

Voila!

Princess.

Truth is.

I really liked making the crown and helping e transform into a princess.

Oh. and did you know she LOVES makeup?

Chapstick is makeup that must be applied and re-applied and re-applied and re-applied and re-applied and...

If I moisturize my face, e needs to moisturize.

If I wear mascara, e needs mascara. But then she needs, 'More, mommy. More!'

However, we did totally rock out to my favorite 'Dreidel, dreidel, dreidel' rendition for about 10 minutes afterwards.

Decked out.

With crowns.

And dreidels.

Summer Picture

2009-12-03T08:54:00.000-08:00

Look at these two. What a great day this was at the zoo...

I miss summer weather.

I miss this little boy's momma.

Impressed and Impressive

2009-12-02T18:10:00.000-08:00

So I never planned on promoting baby items on this blog.

Never.

But I ran across this company today in a mad google search during naptime, Bobux. Biodegradable leather?

Safe enough for h to chew on?

So the Kiwis have brought the trying to tri team g-diapers and biodegradable leather shoes.

Mom's Rolls

2009-12-01T09:15:00.001-08:00

There are some things that are just worth the 'from scratch' effort NO matter what your life situation is.

Why is it that we make some of our favorite dishes only once or twice a year?

My dearest j asked me to make these rolls again, but roll hot dogs in them before I let them rise so we could enjoy pigs in a blanket. Hilarious. And, yes, I will be making them tomorrow.

Mom, thank you for never finding yourself too tired to make these rolls everything Thanksgiving as we grew up. I am so happy that my little family has fallen for them as well.

bumbo

2009-11-21T16:27:00.000-08:00

come on.

can these girls get any cuter?

Babochki

2009-11-19T12:23:00.000-08:00

Free museums are fantastic.

Free live butterfly exhibit on Tuesdays was our plan.

Free hitch-hiking babochka (butterfly) is tranquility.

Free nectar bar is for babochki only.

A Pearl

2009-11-10T10:26:00.000-08:00

h allows me to read while nursing.

a true gift.

this is something i found yesterday:

'someone ... who exercises self-restraint outside human influence has character.'

i think that being a character is much easier than having character.

that being declared, the trying to tri team is trying to have more character.

and then some pictures of the smallest members of the trying to tri team:

Too much pressure! Ah!

2009-11-02T18:21:00.000-08:00

h looking like the adorable little curious monkey that she is.

So. Now I am a mom of two kids.

And.

It was halloween this weekend.

Ahhh!

Seriously. I totally caved in the face of three costumes (mine and theirs). I was not cut out for this. Maybe next year, I'll plan a little in advance, you know have my game together in early September, take a leisurely pace, and finish a week or so in advance.

Here you go...(and please go easy on me)

bug antennae, pumpkin-bum footsie, and witch-green blanket

gato: hot pink zebra-striped socks, black velour pants, mommy-made tail (there was wire in it to make it curl), ears from aunt kaykase, and costume-clue shirt from abuella

thanks unkie jew for taking me to the pumpkin patch

thanks papi for carving a pumpkin with me!

Hazel Eyes

2009-10-11T15:34:00.001-07:00

This is my dark princess. I just couldn't resist sharing this.

Sitting in church today, I had this amazing feeling overcome me. A feeling I had never experienced in my life to date. I am so grateful I have the chance to have these two girls with Joseph and to feel things that I've never felt before. Yes, my body is spent. Yes, when they both start crying at the same time, my patience is pushed to the limit and then beyond. Yes, I wonder how I am really going to be enough. Yes, I am still dependent on outside help to accomplish menial household tasks. But, I have these amazing and big feelings. I cannot really explain them much more than that. I feel what I am doing is much more than me, and much more than I can understand--to love another human being and to devote my life to their welfare and care--I guess I am really learning how to love...or maybe I am just learning another way to love.

So this post is to love. All kinds. To the loves we have had, to the loves we have, and to the ones we still dream of.

To love.

Hazel the Amazing Flying Baby

2009-09-28T12:58:00.000-07:00

First bath

Tiny toes

Sleeping peacefully

Proud momma and her beautiful girls

Papi with his girls

Brothers with their daughters

The Wheeler girls

The Love!

Getting to know each other

First family photo

Big sister singing 'If you're happy and you know it'

'Baby-ya. Eyes.' As e says...

'Unkie Jew' as e says.

re title:

After an exciting two days of water breaking (or not), contractions, then not, trips to two different hospitals...we had a baby girl.

Alissa ended up at Holy Cross Hospital, a place she'd sworn not to return. The circumstances however, of us arriving at said hospital could have only been the result of the divine [see author for full length story]. She was absolutely amazing as she was induced around 9:30p, began some painful contractions by 10:30p, and was writhing in, what could only be described as agony, by 11:00p. At about 11:15p she had decided that she was incapable of taking any more pain and asked for the drugs. [note: at 10:30p she was only 2cm] When the tech brought the cart in soon there after, she all of the sudden felt the urge to "push". The incredulous nurse (whom we loved by the way) decided that we needed an update on the cervix progression. Sure enough, she was 9cm and not slowing down.

All of the sudden there was a scene of incredibly calm, organized, and intense pandemonium. Five nurses were in the room, some trying to get the doctor, others gathering supplies, at least two had joined me at bedside in coaching Alissa although at this point they were doing everything they could to get her NOT to push until the doctor got there.

Alissa was in full force by this point, and very little was going to stop her from pushing. Doc arrived, she's an older Indian woman with a somewhat brisk demeanor that has the constant tinge of a smile around the edges. Very capable and in all accounts, a wonderful woman. It only took about 10 min and little Hazel, thanks to the great strength of her mother, came flying out into Dr. Risen's lap. I say flying, not because I am prone to exaggeration (which I am) but because our little "pine nut" sized daughter actually managed to make it about a foot and a half before she landed, all gooey and red, onto the safe knees of our lovely caretaker.

At this point, Alissa got a cursory cuddle with the "nut" before they wisked her away, not because she was in any danger but because the result of the aforementioned flight was some pretty severe tearing. Popi stayed with Moma until she stabilized and then cared for the serene little Hazel, patiently waiting in her warmer.

After stitching and bandaging, Alissa felt much better and was able to get transfered to post-pardum. Hazel has turned out to be a magnificent little eater and equally good at letting her parents get some sleep. She is tranquil and serene and we love her.

Note: We have to add at this point that we would not have had such a great experience had we not educated ourselves. We would highly recomend the Bradley Method classes. If you can get past the "Natural is Best" taboo, we think that people will find it extremely informative and empowering.

Cakelove, the Awakening, and BFFs

2009-09-19T18:48:00.000-07:00

A great afternoon with our dear friends in town from England (but actually they are from Maryland, just home visiting from their new home in England).

Promising name, supported by a tag line that invites you inside (Cakelove| Cakes from Scratch). So wasn't impressed with the 'Cynthia's Sin' cupcake, but the lemon bar was divine. If you like your lemon to punch you in the jaw during your dessert experience, this bar is for you.

And the new location of the Awakening at the National Harbor is perfection.

New friend, chalk, and sombreros. What more could these little girls ask for in one afternoon?

'Look, Mom! We found a doggy at the mall!'

'Tickle, tickle, Anna!'

P.S. Anna and E are bff. My favorite is that now e picks her nose and eats it. Thank you, Anna, for teaching her that new trick in less than 4 hours! Fast work!

'Anna, this is how you throw a rock. See I can teach you cool tricks, too.'

Shining like justice (completely lifted from Smash's blog)

2009-09-17T18:00:00.001-07:00

Mother in-laws...

Many things could come to mind, but were you thinking A-FREAKING-MAZING? Because mine is. She comes over this morning with gifts for my sweet e (clothes, pjs, snacks, candy, promises of lunch at McDonald's in a few hours) and then proceeded to clean my entire house. She ironed my bedroom curtains, cleaned our bathroom (joe's job!), organized and put away all newborn baby clothes (and helped me choose a bring baby home outfit), cleaned our dishes, fridge, and found time to love e and give her adequate 'abuela' attention.

So, momma-in law this one's for you: CHEERS!

(and nice job at the tea party this weekend....)

Character Studies

2009-09-14T18:23:00.001-07:00

We recently discovered Henry James and are completely swept off our collective feet. We have started a collection of short stories called 'The New York Stories of Henry James.' The man is a genius of characters, not to mention his brilliance at writing. So, actually the purpose of this blog is to rant a little bit...

I never actually wanted to get married. I mean, if I met someone great and was ready and willing to start a family, I was possibly open to that, but I never stressed about meeting people, dating a lot, or wanted to get married just for the sake of getting married. I think that my concept of marriage was definitely tied up in finding a companion that would walk with me through life and beyond, and be my dearest and most trusted friend. It is very difficult for me to relate to and understand other people when they express through conversation or actions different attitudes towards marriage.

So imagine my reaction to Henry James' character Lennox as he expresses the following:

'His love was dead, his youth was dead; that was all. There was no need of making a tragedy of it. His love's vitality had been but small, and since it was to be short-lived it was better that it should expire before marriage than after. As for marriage, that should stand, for that was not of necessity a matter of love. He lacked the brutal consistency necessary for taking away Marian's future. If he had mistaken her and overrated her, the fault was his own, and it was a hard thing that she should pay the penalty. Whatever were her failings, they were profoundly involuntary, and it was plain that with regard to himself her intentions were good. She would be no companion, but she would be at least a faithful wife.'

What?! On the one hand, Lennox is somewhat noble, even transcends the immature notions of romantic love to take on a responsibility and the security of another human being... but seriously? On the other hand, this is marriage, folks!!!!!! The every day, hour to hour grind with someone! Could there be anything lonelier than hoping for a loving companion and settling for a faithful wife at the onset? Obviously, we cannot control nor even choose most of the details our lives become, but to start the journey with someone making a choice to settle? I do not understand--I could not do the same.

So what does that say about me? I am somewhat nervous/scared about where this self-reflection may lead.

4th of July

2009-09-11T06:50:00.001-07:00

I warned you. These posts are old news, but still new news.

I had to post these pictures of e and two of her Utah cousins. We loved having allaire, ed, alora and elijah visit us on their way to Bermuda. The only thing we would have changed was being able to join them on the cruise the following week!

Breakfast at Eastern Market!

Cousin loves!!!!!!!!

Once upon a time, there were three girls and a dad...

2009-09-05T12:00:00.000-07:00

note to reader: this was supposed to be posted months ago. when a dear friend asked whether or not the gender of this baby was a secret, i checked my posts, remembering that i had written this. oops....it was saved under drafts. silly me. so pretend this is 5/14/2009 and enjoy:

So doctors have been known to be wrong, but all signs point to another baby girl. We were both a little shocked by the news...actually, we sat there stunned for a minute before we snapped out of it. We have a boy's name, so now back to the drawing board, bracing ourselves for serious marital strife. :)

Either way it goes, the birth will still be a surprise and a joy. Next time, I am not finding out. I liked it better just wondering and not having a medically-based opinion interfering with my daydreams.

We've started explaining to e that momma's belly is the new baby and she dutifully gives the belly loves. She puckers up like a fish and lays a smack right on the belly. Probably should video that and post it...

Speaking of fish, e has pretty much grown some gills and fins. She LOVES swimming. She jumps in by herself, kicks, moves her arms, tries to blow bubbles, but usually just drinks the water and then looks at us for praise, toddles around the pool to find the perfect toy she wants to swim with, or the perfect friend she wants to make. She LOVES putting her face in the water. Swimming is pretty much our favorite thing to do together as a family. Every Monday night, there we are--momma is teaching the mommy and me class, and papi and e are showing off. E will swim for about an hour before slowing down. I am really going to miss the pool when we move.

We are moving again. This time to our very own 2-bedroom apartment in Takoma Park. We've signed a 12-month lease and will be in Erin and April's ward! YAHOO!!! Friends at church! Hooray for living closer to downtown!! and HOORAY for living closer to friends!! BOO for moving away from free great gym with pool and childcare, and fun coaching job. BOO for having to move.

So, once upon a time there were three girls and a dad, who were going to live in Takoma Park, very, very happily until another disruptive adventure was to be theirs.

Amazing pictures, Sarah Fletcher Durrant!

2009-09-02T04:00:00.000-07:00

Sarah (and Scottie--what a team!) took the pictures at Kasey's wedding last month and she did an amazing job. Check out her website and blog and this slideshow. Kasey's wedding was such a special time. I hope you feel that as you watch the slideshow.

I tried my hand at sewing and made three red dresses for the little girls. Thank you, Steph and Erin, for helping to finish the last dress and sew the diaper covers. And, Erin, thank you for hemming. I just don't hem.

Sarah working her magic with Kasey and the little girls. Aren't Alesa's thighs amazing? I can never get enough of them!

The untamable hair: eventually she always ends up looking like an 80's rock star, much to her papi's dismay.

Catching up

2009-09-01T08:34:00.001-07:00

The excuse:

Our iphoto software and camera have been fighting since May. This weekend, Joseph kindly bypassed the camera to Mac configuration and loaded everything onto his ipod and then transferred everything to the laptop. Result: I can now post pictures I have been wanting to blog about since March. It's one of those very strange, I do the laundry, you upload the pictures delineation of roles and responsibilities that we have comfortably settled into in our third year of marriage--absolutely based on NO rationale, nor are the tasks necessarily matched with individual skill sets; however, they exist as they do and we hold to them. It will be so interesting to see how they morph and evolve as marriage continues.

Firstly, we moved to Takoma Park (INSIDE THE BELTWAY!) in June. We live in Dru and Erin's and April and Cord's ward! Going to church with them every Sunday is the most ridiculous treat. It's like drinking a really cold, strong and tangy glass of lemonade on a hot and humid-sweat-dripping-off-your-eyebrows kind of day. It's simply the best. Dru and I are 'mommy' friends since we both have the babes during the day. The best part is that I no longer have to make Costco runs by myself, and he ALWAYS loads my car! Does it get any better? So here's a picture of our new home and Joseph and E (looking like a jailbird in her stripes):

The house has a basement where the laundry is and we have the entire first floor for our apartment. The entire back of the house on the first floor is a sunroom with windows on all three walls from ceiling to wainscoting-high level. Joe built me a window seat that runs the length of the back wall and we use it for storage. I am in the process of dyeing fabric and covering the seats. Once the project is done, I will definitely post pictures. All in all we feel so lucky every day to be able to live in such a beautiful place, to have our own place, and to have so much room and sunshine!

Secondly, there are big changes in our lives right now. Joseph entered school full-time this semester to finish his history degree and add a spanish minor. He is carrying an 18 credit load to get it all finished by December. So graduation is eminent and new horizons in sight. I don't really have a picture for this, so I'll post an excellent shot of e hanging on the monkey bars in Gilroy, CA when we visited Benae & co. in June this summer:

Thirdly, our second baby is due in four weeks! We finished our Bradley method birthing classes last week and are gearing up for the big delivery. This round we are much better prepared and are hoping for a much better experience. Here is a picture from Kasey's reception, so you can see how big the belly was a month ago:

Lastly, we have had such an incredible summer and have been able to see so many family members and friends! A huge highlight was my parent's 50th wedding anniversary and the family reunion in California which celebrated their accomplishment! My nieces both blogged about it at:

http://ryleewayment.blogspot.com/2009_06_01_archive.html (scroll down a bit to picture of Ryan on crutches)

http://heatherlorraine.blogspot.com/2009/06/janis-family-reunion.html

http://heatherlorraine.blogspot.com/2009/06/janis-family-reunion-preview-2.html

I cannot even do a little justice to all our summer delights, so I will probably just pick a few to share in the next couple of days. One thing is for absolute sure, e is an excellent swimmer and loves water of all kinds. I was the swim coach for an athletic club's swim team last year and ended up teaching a few lessons as well. She loved attending the mommy and me class with her papi, and showing all the older swimmers how much she could do. She is definitely a little show-off, and we totally love it:

Bliss

2009-05-20T06:32:00.001-07:00

I came across these words this morning and wanted to make them a little more permanent in my mind....

'Animation, virtue, love, contentment, philanthropy, benevolence, compassion, humanity, and friendship push life into bliss:...'

I'd like to push life into bliss.

Two Years

2009-04-30T19:24:00.000-07:00

It's almost pathetic to celebrate anniversaries of any kind before the 5-year mark. It just doesn't seem very triumphant, you know? However, regardless of how many years we have or haven't been married, this anniversary was killer! The kind of 'I seriously never knew I could be this happy' kind of kill.

Granted. The fact that I have had back to back trips to NYC and Austin, TX prior to our 25 hours of babyless bliss (thank you grandma and grandpop and g-aunt corrine), probably created a 'nothing could sink this anniversary trip' context.

What did we do? We spent 25 hours together without e. We ate lunch at the Olive Garden and ordered two desserts. We shopped in Gettysburg until we wanted to stop. But not before we bought matching accessories, ridiculous I know, but us. We checked into a fabulous historic bed and breakfast inn (Antrim 1844). We readied ourselves for hors d'oeuvres and drinks at 6:30pm. We ate seven courses until 9:30pm. We rolled back to our private Ice House accommodation. We woke to Christian rock, by accident--probably a sick practical joke from previous residents. We recovered our breakfast from our mailbox. Dressed for proper breakfast. Properly breakfasted. Began the journey back to e, back to reality, back to the day to day.

A perfect 25 hours.

The truth is, i have never been so in love with joe as i am now. I have a feeling these 25 hours are going to sustain me through quite a bit...like in 5 months when I am wondering why in the world I ever agreed to have another baby and go down that ride again.

Crothers Lane, where it all began just over 3 years ago.

Proof I'm not Just getting girl gut

2009-04-21T08:11:00.000-07:00

We have an appointment in 3 weeks to find out the gender...

These are from 3 weeks ago.

And the official due date is September 26th.

Legs and bum!!!!

Little Wheeler baby #2.

Jumeirah Essex House Hotel

2009-04-20T07:36:00.000-07:00

E and I were sick all last weekend. :( But before you feel too sorry for us, especially for me, this resulted in a baby-free, husband-free weekend trip to NYC to visit steph. Full-time mommy life can really be the pits, No?

Steph was in east-coast town for the week to direct/produce the shooting of a forum for Donna Karan's foundation Urban Zen. I initially attempted to get up to see her with E early in the week, but fatigue, sniffles and a sad clingy baby are not good ingredients for a happy trip. Since my joseph is the most amazingly supportive friend, I was able to leave Saturday morning on the train and have two solid days with my dearest steph. True to our adventurous spirits, our Sunday culminated with the most amazing Italian meal prepared by a friend of a business associate's family, who owns a pizzeria in New Rochelle, NY (Bronx).

Saccone's Pizza (washington ave and 6th ave) is the most delicious Italian food I have ever had with two exceptions: Italy, and anything maria has ever fixed for us. We walked in with some defroasted multi-grain pizza dough from Wholefoods, intending to toss up a pie, and within 20 minutes had been seated while Maria and her son, Joe, brought out dish after dish of decadent cuisine: Artichoke hearts with freshly made mozzarella, goat cheese, gruyere, home made sausage, green beans in vinaigrette, broccoli, fresh grapes and strawberries, easter breads, fried dough dipped in honey, cherry goat cheese tart, oh, and of course the pizza chazz made us from the multi-grain dough. The Saccones even brought out a beautiful bottle of wine for us. Too bad about the wine, of course, but the gesture was heart-warming.

It's been a long time since I met total strangers, they took me in, fed me, opened my eyes to another way to live this incredible life, and when we parted the kisses and hugs felt like souls departing that had known each other for many, many years. Steph and I both experienced what we called 'on the mission'...a feeling of closeness with people we have just met.

I missed e and joseph, but I am refreshed and ready for the day-to-day again. ...although casa Wheeler is wonderful (especially now that we have our own little house to live in), the lights- out option on the controller, down mattress-topper, 60 inch HDTV, and South Gate Restaurant at the Essex were a little difficult to leave.

We may need to adjust our blog title description...

2009-03-25T11:35:00.000-07:00

I am officially 13.5 weeks pregnant with our second baby. We had an ultrasound yesterday and watched a tiny, two-inch, fully formed baby wiggle, jump, kick, and flay arms in every direction. The only way to describe how I feel is to relate my reaction: a few silent tears sliding out of my right eye, down my right cheek, collected finally near my chin in the finger-pit of my right pointer. Life is so sacred, it amazes me.

So the due date is somewhere between September 22nd-27th. Based on my experience with E, I am adopting the later date and stubbornly refusing induction until several days after that date.

Turning 1 year old

2009-01-30T17:09:00.000-08:00

Last Sunday was the big event!

We had all of e's favorite foods/beverages:

-noodles

-avocado

-smoothies

-stewp (soup/stew)

and she tried her hand at BIRTHDAY CAKE. The child is a serious pro--she ate all but a very small portion of her dairy-free, gluten-free, everythingexceptsugarthankfully-free cake. Obvious first-time parents that we are, we gave her a HUGE piece. ...oops... No one was willing to negotiate any release terms with the birthday girl, thus, she was hopped up on happiness and sugar the rest of the evening.

We kept the party simple--opening with a slide show marking her growth this last year, eating, having cake, and then opening her gifts. She took no interest in opening her gifts, but solidly played with each and every one as Mom opened them.

A special day for all.

Her bib says 'Monkey See, Monkey Do.'

Double-fisting the smoothies.

Taking a break, getting ready for cake time!

Mmmm...this is delicious.

An absolute pro holding and eating her cake.

Cake successfully in fist and in mouth...this is the only bite she didn't eat.

Mom, look I got a skunk.

Mom? A fairy? Hmmm....not sure about this blue fairy.

First Post - Stake Conference

2009-01-13T12:39:00.000-08:00

Welcome to our Blog!

This past weekend we attended Stake Conference. We all came away with a bright hopefulness for the future. We were reminded of the blessings the Lord is willing to provide for us if we put Him first in our lives. As we are in the middle of making decisions that will effect the next few years of our lives, and much remains uncertain, we found in this reminder a comfort as well as a strength.

After family home evening last night, we reestablished our family goal to put the Lord first in all we do, regardless of how busy we may be. I don't think we have smiled so much at one another for a long time now and our family is filled with the happiness that comes from having the blessings of the gospel in our lives.

Emmeline is taking her first steps and getting braver and more confident all the time. We get such a joy out of watching her develop and learn. As cliche' as it all sounds, watching her discover is the highlight of our days.

In other news, LSAT approaches, applications are coming due, and the light at the end of the tunnel grows ever larger. Alissa and Emi are having to deal with a somewhat absent Popi and Joseph is spending more and more time with books.

To any of our friends and family who may be interested in our crazy lives, we love you!