European Tact and the Lady Who Saved Me

It's official. I can now say that in all 3 pregnancies I have been asked by complete strangers if I'm having twins. The situation that made it offical was actually rather amusing. I was on the elevator at IKEA with my two boys and a European man (always a good start). He was being nice and showing interest in my kids, and said, "So, zis new baby is coming out soon?"

I sigh-smiled and said, "Well, kind of soon, we've got about two months to go."

"Two months?" His face showed clear surprise. "Are you having ze twins?"

"Nope, there's just one baby boy in there." I said it as cheerfully as I could, given that I was answering the twins question.

"Oh, well, having boys is better than nothing." He might have been trying to console me . . .

Hahahaha. I told Gary this story, and he thinks I should get that phrase in vinyl and hang it in our children's bedroom. (Having boys is better than nothing.) (For the record, MUCH better than nothing. Fantastic, in fact, I think mine are quite great.)

Then on to exploring the dark and light side of humanity. So after a while of IKEA, it was time to go. We'd been there a while (Josh isn't exactly focused at such places), and it was lunch and nap time for Noah. He was starting to cry and try to get me to pick him up, but problem was, I hadn't been able to get an actual shopping cart. I had one of those enviromentally friendly/mom-hater carts that hang a yellow bag and allow you to put two things in it, one of which cannot be an easel. However, since I was purchasing an easel, I was awkwardly balancing the easel in one hand, the cart in the other, and my looks-like-twins belly inbetween. And also trying not to lose Josh permanently as he ran in and out of large pallets of furniture. Then, we encountered a problem - very, very long lines at the check-out.

As Noah's screams grew louder, the easel slipped lower, and Josh got farther away, I wondered if we'd make it. Then a nice woman behind me said, "Why don't you go to that line over there? It looks like it's just opening up." Saved! As I awkwardly made my way over, two people (who were sans children and any obvious physical disabilities), started running to get ahead of me in the new line. Actually racing a pregnant woman with a screaming baby! I was more than a little annoyed that such people even exist, but then the nice woman saved the day. She had a flat-bed cart, and offered for me to put my things on it while we waited so I could pick up Noah. Noah was very happy, and the woman chatted with me during our wait about my cute boys and how she remembers when her kids were that age. She made a rapidly-turning-extremely-unpleasant experience turn into a fine one. I felt happy and relaxed and forgot about all the rest.

So, two things from that. First of all, don't know who you are, but I'm sending a big thank-you into cyber space. Maybe someone who actually reads this deserves a thank-you for something else. Second, isn't it cool how a kind deed/person can counteract so much other junk? I think so . . . makes me want to try and be that person.

While the Cat's Away

Gary went on a man-trip at the end of July, leaving me alone with two little kids . . . and lots of company. (By the way, I'd love for Gary to blog about said trip. It was back-packing in the Uintahs . . . beg him to, and he just might finally accept my invitation to contribute.)

My sister Cindy came to visit the first day. She brought along her 3 kids, and since playing with them is one of Josh's favorite things and talking to her is one of mine, everyone was very happy. The first night we took the kids to feed the ducks and play at the park, and then they were exhausted . . . and I got to have girls' night. (This never happens to me, people.) Cindy had rented Twilight, so we popped popcorn, and chatted while we watched. Fun times. (My review of Twilight - fun and interesting, although not earth-shattering. Sorry ladies, I have to remark Robert Pattison =not hot enough. Good looking, but come on, every third sentence in the book is devoted to descriptions of Edward's stop-you-in-your-tracks good looks and finely chiseled muscular chest. Just saying. I'll take Emmett.) Anyway, ignore the parenthetical digression, I highly enjoyed my sister slumber party.

Here are Tate, Josh, and Braden eating yogurt on the trampoline the next morning. Hey, if it makes 'em happy . . . We managed to get the kids all spruced up and to the open house of the Oquirrh Mountain Temple. There, we met my sister Kristen, and got a chance to show our children what the temple is like before it's dedicated and they can't go in anymore. I love how when we talk about the temple now, Josh gets excited and feels like he knows what he's talking about. The kids were a little tired, but I had a great experience feeling the peace that is there and the importance of temples. (What Josh told his dad about the experience: "We saw water and Braden said it was a hot tub, but Cindy said no it's not Braden, but he said yes it is, but it wasn't, it was really baptizing water.")

After the temple we all went to eat at the Mayan restaurant. It's decorated like the rain forest, and every 30 minutes there are diving shows. The kids LOVED it (Braden mentioned we should probably go there every day), and while we didn't get any pictures inside, we got plenty of the after-dinner-playing-outside session. Here's Josh and Kristen on some type of Mayan statue.

Can you see why Aunt Kristen is a favorite?

Noah couldn't resist climbing into the mouth of the beast as well. This scenario was all his doing.

Braden, Josh, Tate, and Sophie . . . what a day!

That night Cindy went back home, but Kristen came with me to my house. Another sister slumber party! She is such a good sport, and played with my kids all the next day. (Except when I had a meeting and swimming lessons. "Pack it all in" was the summer theme, I think.) She probably did entirely too much baby-sitting (I had to teach dance and pick up Gary), and the kids loved it. Kristen played every sport with Josh and took him to Coldstone, so she's pretty much his idol. She rented "Confessions of a Shopaholic" and besides getting to chat with her (she's a cool girl, that Kristen), I also got in yet another chick-flick. I actually fell asleep during that one due to the exhaustion of the day, but it's the principle of the thing that I enjoy. I was going to watch the rest of the movie the next day, but Kristen told me the main character got cured of being a shopaholic and I need not view the process, so I took her word for it.

So, wow. A blur of events and rare girl time. I really did love it, thanks girls! You'd think I wouldn't have time to do so, but I did miss Gary . . . I really like that guy, you know. Wouldn't it be great if we could hear the man version of these days . . .

A Few Days into July . . .

Our nephew Ethan got baptized on the 4th of July this year, so not only did we get the treat of seeing that, we got a day-long party with Gary's family. It all started out with us almost missing the baptism because we didn't pay attention to the church address, but we did make it, and it was so neat. Ethan's is the first baptism Josh has gotten to see, and he was very excited. I thought later I should have gotten a picture of Ethan with Josh, but alas, I did not . . . never the less, it was a great experience for us. Thanks for being a great example, Ethan!

When we got to Gary's brother's house, there was a paradise for kids set up. Along with the always-there trampoline and awesome swing set, there was this huge water slide paradise set up. Here is the one picture I did get of Ethan that day, playing water cannon with Noah.
Here's Noah grinning away . . . the kids played forever, moving from thing to thing, unsure of what was the most awesome. Actually, that's Josh in the background climbing in.Yeah, it included a basketball hoop. Like I said, paradise, especially for a kid like Josh (cousins on the slide - Sydney and Bethany.)

But it wasn't just paradise for kids, it was for adults, too. I mean, first of all the kids were entertained, but also, there was SO MUCH food. Good food all day. Burgers, ribs, salads, fruit, drinks, chips, desserts . . . take me back. Oh, yes, and plenty of great people to talk to while consuming everything. Here's Gary and Noah with cousin Sydney.

Noah really loved having a table his size to eat at. He sat there forever.

We all got some rest in the afternoon, and I went with a bunch of the women to the outlet stores. I didn't have any summer maternity clothes, so I spent the entire time in the maternity outlet, looking through and trying on everything. Actually getting a chance to shop by myself . . . heaven! And finding good deals on much needed items helped, too.

Then, it was back to the food, and when it got dark, fireworks. Josh had fun with the sparklers, and Noah liked them too, but helping him play with them was hazard enough without trying to take a picture. (Oh, yes, Josh is still wearing his swim trunks because he was playing too hard to remember to go to the bathroom. When Gary caught him wet he said, "Josh, why did you pee your pants?" Josh said, "That's not pee, it's peanut popper." Yep, he's still making up words daily.)

Josh is actually not asleep here. He's hiding because he's scared of the fireworks, but Aunt Shannon is doing a good job of protecting him. He's also got Holly and Grandpa to watch out for him.

Noah's too young to realize fire and loud noises could be dangerous, so he had a great time sitting on my lap and watching the show.

At the end of the day while we cleaned up (okay, let's face it, we were also trying to optimize our chatting time), the cousins watched a movie together. Can you tell they were all absolutely beat? (Bethany, Abby, Jill, Josh, Sydney, Jessica on floor.)

Once again, Sydney is a good sport with Josh. He fell asleep on her.

So, it was a great day. My favorite part was getting a chance to talk to all of the family who had gathered for the occasion. Thank you so much Sara and Taylor for hosting it! My only regret was that I hadn't prepared myself to wax patriotic, but that can be a goal for next year . . .

We were able to get together with family several more times that week. Gary and the kids hung out with some family in Salt Lake one day, and I met everyone at a park the next. Then, the biggest treat . . . Christian and Candacy and their cute girls came and visited for a night, an event much anticipated by Josh. We loved visiting with them, and the kids had a good time. We thought Josh and Jill were asleep at one point because they'd been in their room quietly for well over an hour. Then Jill came out and said, "Josh just wants to keep reading all these books, but I want to go to bed now." Jill had been "reading" to Josh the whole time.

Josh really wanted to see the ducks with his cousins, (there is a lake nearby), but they had all swum for cover due to the heat by the time we got there. So, as our farewell token, we took them to a historical site. It's actually a cool place, but in the heat when you're not taking a tour it's really more like a bunch of dusty locked buildings . . . sorry. They were good sports, though, and at least they got to see the ox-skull with salt crystals all over it and get a sucker from the general store. Here you can see that the kids enjoyed this part.

We loved having them over, and if Christian can handle the possibility that Josh might climb in bed with him (which he did in his late-night confusion), they're welcome anytime. (That goes for all family and friends, actually . . . we love having excuses to buy treats, and Josh really is a cuddly little guy.)

Happy Anniversary, Baby, Got You On My Mind . . .

At my bridal shower someone asked me, "So, how do you go about getting married?" She was one of my friends at the apartment complex I lived in and was dealing with the routine we all do at that stage - dating, boys, dating more boys, and never does it click. She was probably partially joking, but also wondering if I, at the threshold of my own wedding, had figured out some secret that could change everything. My quick answer at the time was, "I have no idea, it just happened." Now I've had time to think up a long answer, but my answer is still the same. Of course, there are things you can do to significantly up your odds - be in places where you can meet lots of guys, give everyone a chance, pray a lot, wear deodorant, etc., but after all of that there are still amazing people who remain single and rude people who marry quickly. When Gary and I started getting serious, then decided to get married, and then got married, for real, I felt like I was living in this cloud, witnessing this unbelievable miracle.

I always take pictures when I'm worried the flowers are about to die, but I had to take a picture because I LOVED these flowers Gary got me for our anniversary that year. Beautiful.

 . . . so I wrote that paragraph nearly 4 years ago, on our 4th anniversary. I think I stopped because I wanted to be able to truly express how I feel about Gary, and give some deep answer about marriage. Four years later, I don't know how to finish. God has to be the center, from the very beginning, that much I know. He lets us choose, that's for sure. I just feel soooo blessed to be in the path of such an amazing choice. I don't remember anything else about that anniversary, but I'm really glad I captured a few thoughts.
 

Gary brought me grapefruit because the 4th anniversary is the fruit anniversary. Cute.

Also, Gary brought me Cafe Rio at a time when there was no Cafe Rio anywhere around. When I started crazily taking pictures to remember this anniversary, it meant a lot to me.

Swirling in My Brain This Afternoon . . .

*My life is so much improved now that both children can say the word "mine." I guess I've got about 17 months before I'm in utter bliss with 3 saying it . . .

*I'm the one who thought of eating dried cherries and ice cream with Noah at 4:00, shouldn't it be someone else's turn to think of dinner?

*How many pregnant women quit eating feta cheese because they're told it could cause diseases that bring pregnancy complications, yet eat the batter when making brownies, cake, cookies, and other such raw-egg-spiked delights? At least one (me).

*Thank you visiting teaching for always giving me an excuse to make treats . . . many apologies if I am your visiting teacher and nothing ever makes it to your house. I've been thinking of you.

*Tomorrow is my anniversary - four years ago today I was not calmly nosing about my pantry as I was today. I'm sure this thought will grow deeper as the day gets cooler, but that's how far it got, today in the calm pantry.

*Every time I mention to someone that I have a hard time fitting certain things into my schedule, I swear the answer is always, "You can do it at night when your husband is home." I shall not list all 3 millions things I should be fitting into this time period, for I am a happy gal at the moment, but I'll just say that blogging is on the list. And so I fit in two minutes of it. Go me.

A Night at the Ballpark

 . . . and Josh was in heaven. It's been sooo long since this happened, it is just ridiculous to me how cute my little Joshy was. He still is, but toddlers are ridiculous. Some friends of ours had ticket to the Salt Lake Bees game they were nice enough to share with us, and so we went. Noah was a climby toddler, but it was a great night to be out with friends. At the end of the game the kids got to go down on the field and run around the bases and Josh talked about it for years. He probably still remembers.

Josh and friend Kelty

Didn't get any pictures of our other friends, but here we are.