Filling the Spiritual Bucket

My sister in law Melissa and I took a short little vacation this past week. After arranging 8 million things for the kids so the house didn't fall apart completely while I was gone, we were off. Dads on duty! It was so PEACEFUL. We went to the Joseph Smith movie, the West Jordan temple, out to dinner (without saying in an ever escalating voice "let's try to sit still, can you be a little quieter, use your straw, don't climb under the table, don't throw food!") and to a few of the CES classes at BYU. It was awesome. I wasn't feeling overwhelmed as a mom, and I felt like I was hanging in there and even doing ok on housework. But spiritually I have been really behind. These few days were so needed! I can't say enough about the great things I learned in the classes. I have come home endeavoring to be a better mom, wife and daughter of God. I have once again committed to reading my scriptures every day. Why is that so hard?
I have to admit that at first I was a little annoyed at BYU. They didn't have any Dr. Pepper. Just caffeine free beverages. But it was pretty amazing that all the classes and even the play we went to started with an opening prayer. Yes, we went to a play. I had to make sure I got all the girly things out of my system while Melissa was my companion.
While it was fun to go, it was also fun to come home. I was missing my boys. Brian was great! The house was very clean. This past day the boys have been following me around a bit, been giving me lots of hugs. Guess they missed me. :)

Raspberries

There are lots of things I love about my house, but one of the best is the yard. We have lots of room, a peach tree and raspberry bushes. Kyle remembers the raspberries from when we first moved in last summer and has literally been looking forward to them to bear fruit again for a year.
This is of course all new to Blake. But I think he may already be a bigger fan of them than Kyle. As soon as I mention the word raspberry, he is hollering "bee wee!" (berry) and making a beeline for the back door.


Look at that cute belly.


It was worth waiting one whole year.


Thanks big brother.

I was hoping to be able to make jam this year but the berries disappear so fast that I won't have jam. But I do have some cute pictures and the boys will have some fun memories.

A little dirt never hurt

Oh darn...dropped my candy on the floor.


No matter.

Children's Museum

The boys had so much at the Children's Museum. Instead of having to say "no no, don't touch that" I could say "Sure, go ahead!" Both boys were so happy. Kyle was running around so excited. And Blake was so happy he was squealing.

There were big sea shells that they could actually touch.


They have fun together.


Grandma Bonnie came along. It was so nice to have her! She would watch one while I would chase the other. Both boys love to visit her. She is a good teacher and Kyle loves to read with her. And Blake loves to cuddle with her.


Blake! So sweet. I love those blue eyes.

We had a clean the Jeep party. It was a great way to cool off. I couldn't resist the photo op.


Kyle, my big helper.


Blake couldn't resist eating the bubbles.


They didn't taste as good as he thought they would.


He had more fun rubbing them on his belly.

Vacation

We have never left the kids overnight before. It was time. Brian's mom came up early Monday morning and we hit the trail to Wyoming. It was so fun! We camped at cottonwood and spend two days fishing. In some ways we weren't exactly roughing it. We had a nice air mattress and a DVD player to watch a movie. But I did forget the bug spray. I ended up with 31 mosquito bites on my arms, Brian had maybe 1. I caught so many fish at the Grays River I lost track. And there were some called Brook trout. Believe it or not, they were cute! They were purple, with green and pink polka dots. Wouldn't have believed that if I hadn't seen it myself.
It was hard sometimes; crossing the river was a little scary. We were almost waist deep in thawed snow water. The water was so swift it pulled me downstream a little. Brian was really patient with me. He had to untagle my line a few times. But I didn't lose one lure. And I got most of my own fish off my hook and back into the water.
I was excited to go home, imagining Blake, really missing me, running to me saying "mama mama!" But he was busy playing and hardly even noticed me. Oh well. At least they were good while we were gone. I think we will sneak away from the kids again next summer. By then maybe these mosquito bites will have stopped itching.

As Blake gets closer to the 2 year mark, he is getting a stronger will. This show of independence sometimes results in strong words from mom and dad. The last time he blissfully threw food on the floor, dad firmly said "No No!" Blake responded by squeezing his eyes shut and smiling. Apparently, if he can't see us, he is no longer in trouble.
Unfortunately this didn't work for me. I didn't do the dishes one night. Alas, they were still there in the morning.
But what about the spiritual part of our lives? Maybe we should be more like Blake. Pay attention to the good, the blessings, the funny things in life. I am not advocating turning a blind eye to our problems. But certainly we shouldn't dwell on the negative. That was one of President Hinckley's greatest qualities. Focusing on the good, and being thankful.
In the mean time, Blake disappears into his own world when things take a turn for the worst. And instead of scolding him, I just have to laugh.

4th of July with Dad

It's been 3 years since I last saw my dad. He came to visit at a great time of year. With the car show, cruise in and fireworks there was always something fun. The boys really had fun too. We had a little extra time together since his flight home was changed. So we went to lunch and the aquarium.

It was a great visit! I really miss him and wish he lived closer. But I am glad the boys got to see him. They will remember this visit.
He got Kyle a new reving monster truck. He got Blake a tricycle, which Blake loves. (I love it because I can steer it with a handle on the back.) And of course we played rummikub. He won this round. We need a rematch.

Aquarium

We made use of our one year pass to the aquarium today. Although Blake has been before, this is the first time he really understood what he was seeing. He was so happy he was squealing. He kept saying "nemo," and my favorite, "oooh wow."


Kyle touched a sting ray, saw Dory, sharks, jellyfish and the octopus. It was so fun to watch the boys. Grandma Bonnie came. It is always nice to have an extra person to help me wrangle the boys. Especially when they want to run in different directions. She also spoiled Kyle. She bought him a huge stuffed animal. It was a fun day.

Crazy, simple, wonderful life

As fairly new homeowners we are still learning all the odd things that need attention. Time consuming yard work, remodeling the bathroom (which hopefully will be done soon), finishing the fence and battling the rock chucks who keep eating my onions. Animal control is NO HELP at all, yet we are not allowed to deal with them ourselves. Whole other story. Anyway, now we have birds pulling off the soffit under the roof. Good thing Brian is handy.


Not fully deterred by the crazy gas prices, we took the kids on a Jeep ride this weekend. It was fun to let them play in the water at the lake. Here is Kyle wearing his beloved Cars shirt.


Blake had fun too. He does really good in the Jeep. He took a little nap even. With how loud that thing is that's pretty amazing. While at the lake we had to make sure he didn't get completely soaked. He loves to play in the water. Isn't Brian hot! I love him.