There is an I in Choice?

Today I have been thinking about what it means to be a victim. Often we tell ourselves that we can't do things. For example, "I can't go shopping because it is nap time", or "I have to go to work tomorrow because I am scheduled." We feel helpless because we have removed ourselves and our agency from the equation.

If we instead recognize that choosing to stay home so that our kid takes a nap and does not make us cranky all afternoon, IS a choice. If we work tomorrow it is because we set our alarm, woke and went to work. In fact, we could call in sick and stay home in bed all day! Choices.

Even inactivity is a choice.

So today I decided to be the master of my destiny!

I Chose so many things!

I chose to be mad at my husband when he sat in the Lazy Boy playing the 360 while I cleaned the car, did the dishes, gave baths, washed and folded 5 loads of laundry, put those clothes away and washed the car seat covers.

I chose to help put my kids to bed and work out at 9:30pm instead of at 7pm.

I chose to get my eyebrows waxed so I could confidently have conversations with others without fear of reproach.

I chose to drink Dr. Pepper today! I missed the yummy taste of the delicious liquid goodness. So refreshing! Thus welcoming my long lost friend home, dispensing with it's 2 week banishment.

I chose not to throw myself on the floor and cry like a baby when I arrived at the gym and discovered I had forgotten my pink goggles and swim cap.

I chose to buy the needed items from Fry's at 11pm, despite my desperate desire to go home.

I chose to be annoyed at Fry's for shutting down their registers and making me do self check out. I got to ring up and check out all of my lovely groceries by myself.

I chose to call and give my husband a piece of my mind during my drive to the gym.

Most importantly, I chose to forgive that husband for his male frailties, and thus ended a successful and productive day on a positive note.

Perhaps tomorrow I will make more sparkly and exciting choices. I may choose to not notice some of the obnoxious or mundane aspects of existence. I will be a little more forgiving, slower to anger, perhaps drink less Dr. Pepper.

Today, however, I will just enjoy the fact that I recognize that I made ALL of these lovely choices!

The End! :)

Mighty Muscles and Merry Men

Brian walked into the office the other day and said, "Mom do you want to see my big muscles?"

Sure I replied. Who wouldn't?

Without a moment to lose, Griffin pulled of his shirt and it was muscle mania!

Brian felt it was important to show me all the ways that he develops his big muscles.

On with the Jumping Jacks, the windmills, the push ups.

One Saturday night I had to do my run. It exploded into a full family event. It was cold outside so everyone needed their hats and mittens. This was one of those nights where I had just bathed everyone and put them in their jammies. The dad was nestled in his chair for some video game male bonding. Not the ideal time for a family outdoor adventure.

Little Brian rode his bike along "in the darkness" as he likes to call it, while I ran. Daddy, much to his chagrin, had the privilege of taking the younger boys for a wagon ride. Normally I would think, I don't want to post this picture, I am going running, I don't look my best. Today I say, Look at their little faces. Does it really get any better than this?

I really am the luckiest mom alive! These three little boys love and adore me. I may not be perfect, but I have three little bundles of perfection.

I have been reminded again today how precious life is. We have no life expectancy guarantees.

What we do have is right now.

I have my merry little men

My little mess makers

My two little ones that live to fight over "Buzz Night Nare."

I have little boys who are building their little muscles physically and spiritually.

We are all healthy. We have jobs.

We have family and friends.

We are richly blessed!

In the end it doesn't matter if our hair is perfectly styled or our make up dazzles.

When we achieve true happiness it creates a sparkle that exceeds all others, a beauty that does not fade with time.

Dr. Pepper I've got a Bad Case of Loving You

Do not be alarmed, no children were harmed in the making of this picture!Dr. Pepper became my best friend in college. Heide and I went to the College Street Deli for bagels with strawberry jam and a large Dr. Pepper 4 days a week and we always went back for free refills. Many exam days the combination of stress and caffeine caused some serious tremors, but hey, that stuff is the bomb! Who needs sleep when there is caffiene around? As I age, my eyes have begun to show the signs when I skip sleep, artificial rest in the form of liquid goodness does not suffice. How rude!

Dr. Pepper has the trifecta: Sugar, Caffeine, Carbonation! Unfortunately all that sugar comes with calories. This little drink increases risk of osteoporosis, cavities, the color darkens teeth, diabetes, weight gain, bogs you down when you run, decreases oxygenation etc... With all these negatives why would anyone drink it? Because that Dr. Pepper he puts a secret ingredient in his soda that makes ya crave for it nightly!

What does it take to truly motivate a person. Will power? Devotion? Fear of Shame? Urgent desire for change? Camaraderie? Rewards?

My cousin Dixie got her brother's into a sprint triathlon with her on Thanksgiving. It was fun to follow their progress through their blogs. My friend Jamie completed one and earned a very expensive purse. I miss the old days of running up A mountain with my fitness class, doing the Curry loop, training and playing soccer. When Dixie mentioned a women's sprint triathlon and that she was willing to help us train, I knew that was just what I was looking for.


Well, you would think my brilliant cousin knew I have been telling myself how I really should kick the habit. I get an email this morning saying our challenge for training this week is no soda!! Our very first challenge was making cookies and not eating the dough. I justified my way out of it with, "Oh I never make cookies." Did I ever miss the point. So here we are challenge number 2 and there is NO denying this is for me. No soda for an entire week, preferably the entire training season. So here I am, I realized my negligence round one and I am now fully committed!! This is the challenge karma biting me on the butt!! :) Game on Wendy!! Show me what your working with!!!

My final question is: If I ever find myself up on that ledge with a drink in my hand, Can I count on you to talk me down?!!! Will you take a cue from Yes Man, get out your guitar and sing, "I wish you would step back from that ledge my friend..."

Jingle Bells by My 3 Daws

Prepare to be entertained. One might think this was carefully orchestrated, but no my friends, this little magic moment transpired while dad pumped the gas on Christmas!

She's making a List

As Christmas is vastly approaching I thought it only appropriate to make my list and check it twice!

!. Finish Christmas Shopping.

2. Wrap the presents, I need motivation here people.

3. Create elaborate baked goods for the neighbors. No time like the present to become a baker.

4. Complete a 35 page scrapbook for my friends daughter. No small task.

5. Cruise over to Las Vegas for 2 days with Brian's Family. Black Jack here I come.

6. Buy lots of food in case there is a famine. What is the expiration date for frozen pizzas?

7. Get my years supply of Dr. Pepper. There really could be a shortage, just ask Guns N Roses.

8. Purchase an expensive purse and wallet from Coach. Hey someone has to stimulate the economy!

9. Buy a hand gun. I need to be able to protect the new purse and Brian's personal electronics, a sub-division of Best Buy and Ultimate Electronics.

10. Fill a syringe with Holly Jolly Christmas and inject it into the cranky people in line at the stores. Okay this is the nurse in me, not to be mistaken for evidence of my experience with drug abuse.

11. Exercise! I am doing a sprint triathlon May 9th, have I got work to do!

I have checked my list twice and a few things are abundantly clear!! I will never be ready in time. I will immediately remove exercise from the list, isn't that what everyone does. I can certainly wait till January 1st to exercise, isn't that what New Year's resolutions are for? Down with Baking, everyone who knows me realizes this was a pipe dream. Store food later, there will always be another time to create food storage, right? Not very Noah of me. I suppose Coach will have to be postponed. In the spirit of giving I will let the chic in the Mercedes have my $6000 Sabrina Ostrich this year! I really should let my husband wrap all the presents, it brings him such joy, and after all practice makes perfect. And Seriously, who needs a scrapbook?

Oh good now my list is far more manageable!

Where does that leave me?

1. Shopping.
2.Vegas.
3. Dr. Pepper.
4. Gun.
5. Syringe of Jolly.

Glad to see all of the essentials will be taken care of this holiday season. Ho. Ho. Ho. Merry Christmas!

I will fade out with the abridged lyrics of Need A Little Christmas

Yes, we need a little Christmas right this very minute...

For we need a little music
Need a little laughter
Need a little singing
Ringing through the rafter
And we need a little snappy
"Happy ever after"
Need a little Christmas now

Little Miracles

We spend most of our time at home, staring at each other all day, that is very boring. However, because my children just LOVE to stay home, we stay home. Luckily for me, we can find enough mischief right inside our very own home! :) My recent increased exposure to the outside world through work and blogs has made me increasingly aware of how special life's tiny miracles really are. There are many going through heartrending and very difficult times. There are also many accounts of lives miraculously saved!


A baby girl named Chloe whose surgeon was lead by the spirit to leave a section of the brain alone, and subsequent exams revealed that her brain is functioning perfectly. This little girl likely would've had long term deficits if the surgeon had removed that section of the brain, but a prompting to leave it alone from an all knowing Father in heaven protected this sweet infant. Divine intervention!


Most of us follow the Nielsen's story. A family that has been through such tragedy both parents severely injured in a plane crash, months in a medically induced coma. The family have rallied to care for their 4 small children and have been open to sharing the daily joys. What faith they have shared. The mother has unquestionably been divinely protected. There road is not an easy one, but these parents have been saved to be reunited with their children.

My nephew is a little miracle in our lives! Rhett is the youngest son of my brother Ben and his wife Kim. He sent a few clues that he intended to make his arrival early, but the OB's office misjudged his cues. Once these little hints developed into obvious painful contractions, there was no doubt someone was requesting an audience! He patiently waited several days until just the right balance of lung maturing and antibiotics could be achieved. This little guy came 6 weeks early, perfectly healthy, and an amazing 5 pounds. Quite a feat for such a young boy! He has continued to grow by leaps and bounds, Just 2.5 months later and he is over 11 pounds, When you see him now you would never even believe Rhett was a preemie! What a special treasure!!

Our first child decided on Christmas night that he was ready to join the world. It may have been the sounds of "The Lord of the Rings" that made him fear the end of the world was coming so he'd better get his life started. All 3 of my boys have caused me grief while trying to join the human race! With each delivery I have heard, "You may need a c-section," or "We are committed to a healthy baby," what they are saying is "We are very worried about your baby, you may need an emergency surgery!" I know all of their little tricks as I read from that playbook regularly. It is hard when you really do know the gravity of the situation you are in. It makes it all so important to have faith that things are in God's hands. Always the extra oxygen mask! Additional Nurses and monitoring equipment galore emerge. Tears cascade as I worry for the safety of the tiny unborn. At least twice, special blessings were requested! In the end, all three passengers have safely reached their destination! Not one child has released the emergency hatch on my belly and deployed his parachute. My 3 little Miracles! Each one special and unique. Each boy with his own special personality. The sweet wide innocent eyes. The loving kisses after biting my hand or whacking me in the head with a flying object. I believe each child was given a secret mission, and the exact weapons necessary to attack me where I am most vulnerable! Yes, they look so sweet and innocent, don't let them fool you! These guys are 3rd degree ninja super-warriors who have been secretly trained in the art of the three fingered eye-jab! I am so thankful for each of my miracles. They may know just how to challenge me, but they are also my ambassadors of kwan. They know just how to show me the love! Snuggle Fests, Slobbery Kisses, and Secrets of love whispered in my ear. They leave no doubt that I am a loved and essential part of their universe. The Christmas season is all about miracles. What miracles great or small have you enjoyed?

This Thanksgiving Griffin Gets Busted!

Mommy's Thanksgiving Weekend

I pulled down a shift at the hospital. I think the nursing powers that be were smiling down on me because I had an amazing assignment. I could NOT have asked for a better assignment for holiday pay. My sister saved me some excellent left overs, which was great since no one is really open at 9pm when I finally got off work! A mere 13.5 hours of work, but who is counting the money?!

Day 2: Mommy Holiday vacation officially begins! I realized there was no point in getting up too early so I rolled out of bed at 9am and was out the door by 10. I won't bore you with the details, but I will say this...

Victoria's Secret Gap Gymboree Target Men's Wearhouse

Fiesta Mall Chandler Mall Tempe MarketPlace

Read Twilight (Yes I know a little late!, but the interest and time just became available)

Day 3: Target Bed,Bath, & Beyond, BodyWorks PotteryBarn Kids, Walmart

In order to avoid strangleholds, I will not bore you with every last detail. I will admit the above list intentionally excludes details of all of the purchases from said shopping extravaganza. Enough said!

I did miss my sweet family. However, I have 7 years of mommy self-sacrifice and 9 of wife hood! It is okay to get a break! I would like to thank my employer for making working a Holiday too lucrative to pass up. Thanks to my man for being superman, without whom none of this would be possible!

My friend called me last night and said her sister wondered if Brian and I were having marital trouble because she hasn't seen Brian around lately...

No, No troubles, Just one Amazing dad and husband!!

Daddy's Thanksgiving weekend with the boys!

USC Trojan Football Game

Little Brian said "the WATCHING of the game was boring, but the FOOD was good!" He apparently told his uncle this 3 times so he could understand the game wasn't boring it was just "The watching" that was boring.

Griffin finds himself in police custody for pulling the fire alarm. We even have a picture of the boys covering their ears from the deafening siren. When you break the law in California they are strict, even when it comes to minors! Griffin came home and said, "Policeman take me away."


Then there were the pony rides, Lincoln loved it the most. Who would've thought they let a 20 month old ride by himself? As he was pulled away from his ride, he kept crying "Horsey, Horsey"

That little ploy bought him a second ride! Hooray for grandparents who love to spoil!

On to the train ride!

What would we do without Papa to protect the wee Lincoln! Chuga Chuga, Choo Choo!

We love Daddy for being willing to work so hard, so we could have SO much FUN! Thank you Tutu and Papa for creating enough excitement that my husband can't resist the company, yummy food, and all of the fun USC activities! Thanks to Aunts Amy and Britt who played with us and gave us tubbies, and Uncle Jorge and Uncle Justy who embraced their inner child and entertained ALL my boys with rock band, XBOX 360 and endured the little men at the game! Special thanks to the Daw Clan for sending all my boys home safe and sound!