What a Wonderful World

Everyone loves babies! I just went to the movies with my sister-in-law and held her precious little baby. He let out these hysterical laughs that even had neighboring movie goers chuckling. I was again impressed by the love that pours out of babies that envelopes you. When a tiny baby stares up into your eyes with such wonder, you realize the incredible magnitude of the human experience.

With our first child, I was the one with the look of wonder.

I wonder how I will survive.

I wonder what this baby wants.

I wonder if he will ever sleep through the night.

I wonder how I can be trusted with such a tiny and needy person.

Once I had fully recovered, 3.5 years later, I was thrilled to welcome Griffin to our family.

Now it was his looks of wonder that amazed me.

He was very thoughtful and expressive. In just the first few weeks of life he looked around his new world with such awe and intrigue. He really seemed to soak up each experience.

Griffin was such an easy baby that we were ready to embrace the new life cycle again after just one short year. When Lincoln was born I was again filled with wonder.

I wonder if this baby will ever stop crying!!!!

He cried almost continuously for the first 20 minutes of life. I had to wonder if he still remembered heaven, and was crying because he wanted to go back.

Amazingly, he came to realize he was stuck with us and he has hardly cried since.

There is just something about an infant's smile that makes you wonder how you ever lived without them. Everything stops and all you feel is the warmth of their love. My children have opened my eyes to the bounteous joys found in life's simple pleasures.

Hugs. Books. Laughter. Tickles. Jumping. Singing. Talking. Snuggling.

I am blessed to share in this wonderful world that they create.

In the Eye of the Beholder

Little Brian's eyes are sensitive to light from time to time. He will even complain occasionally about the light over the kitchen table while doing his homework.

"It burns my eyes," He says.

This was the complaint this evening.

I said, "We will have to take you to the eye doctor and get that checked out."

His response, "Will they pull off my eyelids?"

"No," I reply, "Do they do that sometimes?"

He said, "Yeah."

"That is pretty crazy," I say.

He said, "Yeah and that freaks me out!"

Apparently he watched an episode of "How It's Made" where they performed laser eye surgery. During this episode they actually slice of the top layer of the eye. He remembered the eye slicing as eyelid removal.

He does have a point. The idea of having my eyelids taken off freaks me out too!

I came in the office to record this hilarious interaction.

While I'm typing Griffin plops himself on my lap.

He looks up into my eyes and says, "Mom your eyeballs are going all crazy!"

Curiously I question, "What about them is so crazy?"

"Your eyeballs are breaking. The white is breaking out of your eyeballs, and your heart be's sad."

Now I suppose I will make eye appointments for Brian and myself.

The Wand of Frustration

I HATE FEELING LIKE I'M FAILING....At training, motherhood, my home, my job, my church callings.

This was a thought expressed in a message from a friend. She did share many of her successes. However, that nagging feeling like her best just isn't good enough hit home for me.

I hate feeling like I am failing. Don't we all feel that. If we take the wand of frustration and wave it over everything we do we think, Holy Crap I am failing at everything. We miss much we are actually accomplishing, such as serving others, exercising more,being nicer people or how we have sacrificed many of our desires and pursuits to focus our attention on raising little people. All of the joy from these successes are demolished as we take out that wand and pulverize ourselves.

We rob ourselves of the true rewards of our labors by beating ourselves up for everything that didn't exceed our wildest expectations.

We need to break that wand of frustration!

Instead?

Hang up the Mirror of Success.

Look at everything through that mirror! As I teach primary I realize the power of God's love for his children. It would break His heart to think a little child thought they were failing. He sees all of our amazing triumphs, improvements, kindnesses, desires, efforts. He loves and values all of them. When I think about these things in terms of children it is much easier for Me to get. It breaks my heart to think a little child hates their body, it is heart breaking to think a child doesn't know their special talents.

I will share a story about Little Brian and his friend I will call "Josh". Brian will come home and say, "Josh is the best colorer, Josh is the fastest runner, Josh is the best baseball player" It is funny because Josh believes all of these things, and he sells it. My sweet little Brian buys it hook, line and sinker.

I stop and make sure Brian hasn't missed the fact that he is an excellent runner, he is an amazing story teller and writer. If a friend is injured he immediately offers a hug.

Josh's mom told me, "Brian is welcome over anytime. he is such the complimenter, he always makes Josh feel so good."

It occurred to me, "What does Josh do for Brian?" On Sunday he said, "Brian, that is not a church shirt, and last week you didn't look right either." What? The week prior he was in a suit and tie. How swift is criticism to injure?

We must make sure our kids are built up at home. Praised for their talents. Noticed for their good works. Encourage relationships that uplift them. Ensure they know how to nurture others. Teach them how to be kind to others, and how to recognize good in themselves.

Seems so basic. Yet do we praise, uplift, and nurture ourselves? Our spouses? Our friends?

We easily recognize others who excel. We notice who is "the best" which is perfectly normal. Unfortunately, it is human nature to compare ourselves to the very best characteristics of others. Pretty soon we have pieced together the ultimate person. If we can not compete with this ultimate person then we have failed. How are we so effective at noticing brilliance in others, yet fail to see it in ourselves? Couldn't we all use a little more Brian's in our life? People praising and appreciating our talents, building us up to fight our next fights, always there with hugs when we fall. I love my friends and family that I enjoy through blogging. Each person teaches and inspires me. Other perspectives add to my ability to recognize the humor, beauty, struggles, and triumphs of life. It is nice to know we are not alone in our efforts, goals, and frustrations. Every venture may not succeed to our hearts desires, but it never hurts to share a chuckle along the way as we each overcome our own version of potty training mishaps.

The Happiest place on Earth

I love to be on the go. We used to go to the park and play at the mall a minimum of once per week. At some point in the last year, the youngest 2 became too difficult to manage alone out in the big world. For sanity and safety sake, we stay home most days. I would love to take the kids to Disneyland or Sea World, but I am not sure we are ready for that yet. Perhaps my 3 daws are not prepared for amusement parks on a grand scale but I was just realizing how many awesome "rides" and adventures we have right here at home!

We have an exclusive water park. Nothing creates fun faster than cascading water, courtesy of our lead rubber hose. It may be challenging to take the kids to the pool or California Adventure, but I do have running water and a questionably toxic hose!

I can't leave out our marvelous Mad Hatter tea cups. Yes, I am the madness that spins this little cup. Surprisingly, there can still be a long line to ride this little wonder! Who would've thought one office chair could yield so much joy?

I shouldn't leave out Mr. Toads Wild ride. It may look like an ordinary wagon, but this little wagon can get pretty CraZy! The first time I kissed our Mr. Toad he turned into a real life prince! Now that is magical.

Next stop, laundry room. What is it about being in the dryer? This opportunity is far to exciting to pass up! All 3 gems have found their way into the dryer roller coaster. You know you want to. Once I even found my husband trying to climb in! It really does bring out your inner child!

Who needs Disneyland on boxing day? Attend a boxing match? Play Mike Tyson's punch out? No punching bags necessary with brothers and parents around. Dad's hat and hulk hands are a winning combination orchestrated by Lincoln. What can I say, the kid has mad skills!

The very best thing about this adventure park? When the boys grab my legs and freak out I can grab my camera and capture the fond memories. No horrified and scrutinizing looks from surrounding adults. No tortured ride home while the natives scream bloody murder. No members of the party lost along the way. No matter the amusement park, everyone reaches a point where they have had enough fun. The beauty of this amusement park? When we have all exceeded our fun threshold it is clear that there really is no place like home, and thank goodness we are already there! It is possible the little boys are not ready for all of the enjoyment Disneyland has to offer. Luckily for me, I have them convinced that they live in the happiest place on earth.

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..."