I know, I know, third time's a charm...

Here I am posting for the third time today. I must be bored. I am about to start a book (to say nothing of the dog), and just started a different one last night (cry, the beloved country), but I went surfing a little and look at the cutest thing I found. How adorable! 

Check out this blog for more cute things you can order. I have been thinking about a permanent job chart for Jake. I think he'd really like it. There are other great chore charts and aprons and signs here. Fun stuff! Don't say you've never surfed...

FYI

Welp, my nap today is foiled by the LAME Crystal Light energy powder. I thought it sounded so good--little energy boost. Then I found out it has caffeine in it, which is how it gives more energy than regular Crystal Light. I am not a caffeine user. I am feeling sick. Jake, for once, fell asleep and Alisa is asleep and I am up feeling sick. I drank it at noon. Still feeling it. Next time, check the ingredients!

Mother of the Year

You may think that I earned my Mother of the Year status because I, along with three friends, decided to brave Disneyland sans husbands with a toddler and a babe, which was no picnic, I will tell you. While we survived to tell the tale (and actually had a lot of fun), that is not why I now have the status. (By the way, this was a long time ago, I just forgot to post it. I think it was around April...) 

Our "single mom" day at Disneyland was actually pretty successful. Mercifully, someone helped us on and off the tram and we survived. The kids loved it. Before I tell of the scary moments I had, let me just say that I lied. Flat out. I have since repented, but Jake was barely three and I said he was two. That's how I know it was April. Welp, never again. I got my punishment, which was the following: 

We were getting on the elevator. Jake was walking in front of the beast I call a double stroller (see picture). The thing doesn't turn on a dime. So he gets on the elevator. I go for it, but the stroller hits the side and doesn't make it in. Jake is on the elevator alone. I run to grab the door as it's shutting, but only get the outside door, not the inside (who knew? There are two!). So the door shuts. The elevator has an unknown destination. Jake is BARELY three, and alone. I freak. The girls stay with Alisa at the elevators and I blindly sprint up the first escalator I come to. By the end of it, I am out of breath and I don't remember that many stairs. That's because I took the LONGEST escalator and ended up on the seventh level of the biggest parking structure in the world. Yeah, I was panicked by then, to say the least. 

I push the elevator button and nothing happens for an eternity. The escalator only goes from the seventh level to the ground, no stops in between (there are other escalators, each going to a different level). Just as I get on to go back down, the elevator doors ding and open. It is empty. No Jake. Ah! So I get on and press every level. It opens on the sixth floor: No one! It opens on the fifth: three people enter and see my horrified state. WHERE IS MY SON??? They haven't seen him. We go down another level: No one. I am just SICK! You can imagine.

Finally, Christy calls. He is down at the bottom. Whoever had called the elevator up (to who knows what level--not the seventh!) had taken him back down. Poor guy! I was beside myself and SO RELIEVED all at the same time. 

I got home and told Scott that no matter what, I was paying for Jake from then on. I learned my lesson. Dishonesty does not pay. Ever. Amen.

P.S. (which has nothing to do with the aforementioned) Thank you to all those who came and supported Scott! It was, in my opinion, a great and spiritual concert. I love his rich voice. I was a bad wife and didn't take a picture, but I will post one when I get my hands on one. Thank you all again!

Free Concert Tomorrow!!!

Scott and a friend are putting on a free concert entitled "Songs of the Savior." Please come! It's tomorrow night (Saturday, 26 July) at 6 pm in the University Church Chapel at LLU (not the main sanctuary but the square building behind it). Refreshments after. We'd love to see you there!

Sad, Sad Day

I tried to get some good pictures, but these don't really capture it... Read on, Lizzy! (name that movie... it's my favorite!)

Yesterday I almost lost it and broke down in tears. We were at a Pioneer Day Celebration at the park and all was going well. Right at dusk, Jake and a friend were playing with a big bouncy ball. Our friend was throwing it high in the air and they were chasing it (you may be guessing how this ends already). Sure enough, they both went for it once, and collided. I mean, a MAJOR collision. Jake's mouth hit hard on the head of his friend. I have never heard Jake cry like that. It was awful! That's why I almost lost it. It was horrible to see and hear him in such pain and not be able to do anything to relieve it! He kept holding his teeth saying he didn't want them to fall out. 

Since it was dusk, Scott couldn't even see to check them out. I got a sickening feeling when we looked in the light and his front teeth were SHORTER and pushed back (toward his tongue). Ah! My beautiful boy! It was soooo sad. 

We called a dentist friend (who had just left before this) and asked her to take a look, which she willingly did (thank you Melinda!). She bribed him with sugar free lollipops (which worked like a charm) so she could "count" his teeth. Well, his teeth are pushed up and a little back. If they didn't hit the permanent tooth buds, they may just pop back down eventually. They could turn brown (like my little bro's tooth growing up... lovely! :) ) and either go back to normal or stay that way until they fall out. Hopefully they didn't hit the permanent tooth buds. We should take an x-ray, though, to make sure there's no damage. 

S.A.D. So for now, he is all swollen and can't eat or drink much because it hurts. He wouldn't even eat his lollipops this morning. I gave him Motrin and some Orajel (which he hated) and put him in front of a movie with an ice pack. Poor little guy! 

Great Day!

Welp, just in case you were wondering, I am having a great day! I normally lead the music for the primary kids (age 3-12) on Sundays, but today I got to be pianist AND lead. Yep, for awhile we didn't have a pianist so I did both. It was really fun and had to be casual, since I was alone for a bit. I am so grateful my mom MADE me take piano lessons. I really should make time to practice, since we have a piano and I really need it! Anyway, the kids are fun and crazy and sweet. I love our big primary!

On Friday we dropped the kids off at Devin and Christy's (THANK YOU!) and went to the temple. It was really nice because we took a little nap before hand and I was really able to focus and feel the love and peace of God.  I feel so blessed to live in this time, when the gospel of Jesus Christ and his Church and authority have been restored on the earth. When we went to pick the kids up, Christy had dinner for us there (so nice!) and we got to chat a bit while our kids played until way past their bedtime!

I recently finished reading The Hiding Place by Corrie ten Boom and have been thinking a lot about what it really means to love your neighbor and turn the other cheek. The author and her sister were such powerful examples of love and faith in Jesus Christ. I can't even begin to imagine the hate they experienced and yet they forgave and loved the hater. They spread the message of love and hope in Jesus. They felt more sorry for the one abusing than for being abused themselves. Why is it so hard today to do the same, when the offenses don't compare and are (usually) so minor? I don't feel like I have the hugest problem being offended, but I think I tend to pre-judge, to jump to conclusions about others' characters, which seems to make it harder to truly love others (for me, anyway). 

And then I keep asking myself: If I truly do love other people, why am I not trying to share the gospel with them more freely? Why not share the message that Christ loves us so much, he continues to guide us through a prophet, just like those of old? He hasn't stopped speaking because he wants to help US in OUR day. It's so amazing yet seems so hard to share with others. 

So, I am trying to more easily converse about my beliefs and my personal feelings about Jesus Christ. I feel like we come from an emotionally closed society. We don't hug, kiss on the cheek, etc. (especially those we just met!). We don't share our tender, innermost feelings with just anyone. In fact, we share them with very few, even those we are closest to. Am I just speaking for myself? I think we don't like to feel exposed and vulnerable, but it's healthy to. 

Your thoughts?

Going Private

This blog is going private! If you want to continue to read our little treasures, please leave me a comment with your email and I'll invite you (especially if I don't have your email or see you on a regular basis!).

I got a puzzle for Jake on Friday. He's done it over and over and over. It was a great purchase. This morning he did it all by himself. I came out and praised him for it, and he said, "Jesus helped me!" and after a minute, he said, "Jesus answered me!" It was so sweet. I am glad some things do actually sink in, even if it doesn't seem like it! We were listening to primary music, which inspired him, I'm sure!

Funny As Ever

The latest from Jake

We are memorizing John 3:16 for our scripture study lately, which explains why Jake opened a credit card junk mail, pulled out the plastic sample card, and said, "This is my card. My only begotten card!"

Mom, I waked up at tworty-five! (He tells me this every morning)

We were at a stop light, and Jake asked who the guy in the yellow and green truck was. 

-I don't know. Why?

-That guy just did "two" to me. 

-Really?

-Yep. I did "two" to him back.

So, Jake has become hip. We pull in to the gas station and Jake flashes a "two" or peace sign, to the guy next to us. Nice.

BYU Fan Discovers Diaper

Here is how we started for bedtime... cute, huh? Our little BYU fan.

This is what we found when we checked on her before going to bed:

Yep, she discovered her diaper, and how to take it off. And yep, she pee-peed before we got it back on. We slipped the diaper on without her even waking up.

Jake found Alisa's sweater. Nice.

Riding the horse. Jake has been soooo sweet and helpful lately. I think he's growing out of the terrible twos.

Darth Maul face. Notice the cars. The train is pulling a race car, then a "Jeef"--three times. Very orderly.

Bugs

I hate them! I hate all the bugs in the whole world! (Name that movie... although in the movie it's orphans not bugs)

Welp, when we got in from our lengthy vacation, we were greeted by a lovely trail of ants coming from a cupboard of dishes, along the wall, above a door, and into our food cupboard. Lovely. The honey, among other things, was not salvageable. There were dead ants in our salt shaker. They are everywhere. So that was a lovely time first thing the next morning. After cleaning them out for an hour, they came back! So, twice cleaned, then three times. I think I tried to get rid of them around the same area five or six times. They are finally gone... at least, the big army trail of ants is gone. I now find them exploring our house randomly in small groups. 

In the bathroom was evidence of a termite invasion. Man, if there was ever a time for the circus tent to come, it would've been while we were out of town anyway! So we have ants and termites inside, along with a lovely mosquito that must still be alive as I have fresh bites on my ankles tonight. Mosquito bites are never fun, but they are worse in the heat. 

I went into our overgrown garden (which only survived by the mercy of our neighbors) to pick some huge zucchini. While reaching down I happen to glance down and right in front of my fingers was a lovely red-bellied black widow. Nice. Glad I didn't grab it. I found another one in the eves of our house but it got away, and a third one making a home in our mailbox. Welcome to Cali. While there are many advantages to living here, there are some drawbacks, too. Like black widows, cockroaches, and ant infestations. On a positive note, Cali is wonderful in the winter. Can't beat it. 

Vacation Post #3

Lake Powell with the Seamans. So fun! Thank you, Seamans, for all the hard work and fun we had! It was a blast to be all together. It got SUPER HOT this week and we were DYING!!!! We lived more in the Lake than out, I think. The heat was rough but the lake was so fun.

 

Everyone (besides the kids and Linda and me) made an ice cream run  and brought back popsicles for the kids and ice cream bars for those who stayed behind. YUM!

Jake and new-found buddy Tom (Derek's dad), who swam across the bay and back with him. Thanks!

Jake really IS going to kill me. His little bum is so cute, though!

Bethi and Derek... One month until the wedding!!!

Forced Jake in the tube behind the boat. He cried. Scared of the big wake. 

Me and A. in the tube. She loved it... I think. Didn't cry anyway.

Les and Linda--hard core!

Thanks, girls!

Me. Skirt. Wakeboard. Ever feminine.

Les's signature move to say, "I'm done wakeboarding, thank you." This was behind his boat. He got a lot more air behind the Goodman's wakeboarding boat and probably could've landed it. BTW, the wakeboarding boat has a HUGE wake and was scary to get out of. It made my stomach drop each time I did. You can catch some sweet air behind it (which I did not necessarily do, although I may have caught a little air once or twice).

Jake had a nap every day. He woke up looking like someone dumped water on his head. It was roasting! 

Jake wasn't the only one who loved the fish. Alisa played with the fish in the bucket all morning. Ew. Later in the week there was a dead fish floating behind the houseboat... Jake and dad (or Kelsi?) found a lovely green grasshopper we lovingly called Hoppy. He and Alisa played with it all week. We'd lose him, but he'd always turn up the next day on the houseboat. He was a good pet, until his leg fell off and we found him the next day. Deceased. Poor Hoppy!

Since cousin E. didn't fully appreciate the fireworks with the Crane's, they sent some with us to do with the Seaman's. Good thing, too. Jake and Alisa loved them and we didn't get to see the fireworks at the dam, although we saw the lighted sky. Happy 4th of July!

Aw, cute! 

Proof that Linda water skiied! Ha! It was awesome!

Jake and Jenni on the tube. Jake attached himself to Jenni the whole week. He woke up saying, "Where's Jenni?" and went to bed saying the same thing. He was glued to her. Thanks, Jen, for letting him maul you the whole week!

Cutie-pie

Jake got really chafed after 10 days on the Lake and wore his undies for a few days to switch it up. Not that they were really clean. We didn't do laundry for two weeks! 

Close up of Jake and Kelsi on the kayak.

Alisa making some soup--thanks, Grandma, for the great idea!

Favorite pasttime: trying to drown mom!

Jake and Kelsi in the kayak. Jake was pretty good with the oar.

Jake and Kels down for a nap. 

This was us every day, most of the day... escaping the heat! 

Relaxing on the fun center

Fishing with Derek--Jake's favorite light saber fighter!

Vacation Post #2--for picture lovers

Ok, here are muchas fotos of Lake Powell with the Crane's. It was soooo fun--Thank you so much, Mom and Dad!!! It is a TON of work to prepare, load, park, anchor, etc. the boat. I think we did ok short-staffed, don't you? We lost some rope and dug twice, but hey, it was fun!!! Thanks for a great week.

Here is Jake and cousins on the Sea Wasp. They had a ball behind the wave runner until a ranger pulled Scott over for having no flagger and too many riders. At least he didn't get a ticket!

Here's my niece on the slide. Scott miraculously got Jake down it twice! 

Theme of the week: GNATS! There were so many gnats it sounded like a beehive. We killed what we could with Raid, but they were pretty bad both weeks. Yuck! It doesn't look like many, but they are only the size of a crumb.

What a sweetie!

Grammy and Jake

The kids cooling off midday with the AC on and a movie. 

Alisa on her perch. She climbed these two steps all day long and felt so big!

He's going to kill me later! This was bath time with dad off the back of the houseboat. Later he admitted it was a little bit owie on the bum.

Bath time with dad

Fishing with the cousins. They loved it, of course!

My sister and I with our little roasted chickens!

Alisa and cousin--4 months apart. Behind her are my sister and friend. The tongue-twister: Alisa, Eliza, Lisa, and Alicia (and Ali).

My parents always fall asleep in this chair! Isn't that sweet? I love it. Lookin' good, Mom and Dad!

Fishing! He was so excited about his catfish.

Playing with his cousin (7 months apart) and having a blast!

We went into Page to go to church (our one time on land in between two weeks on the Lake!) and got some food before my sister and fam drove home to UT. Miss you guys!