Our Big Day

First, today was Mabel's first day of real preschool. She styled her socks herself, and Oliver wouldn't get out of the picture.

Second, today we became the proud owners of Brimley's White Glove Chem-Dry, for all of your carpet cleaning needs (in Maricopa and Pinal counties). Now Mike is the boss and Steve is retired.

Love

waiting for the trash truck

watching a movie

Take Good Care of Her

Dear Jooj,

While I don't regret our recent car trade one bit, I must admit that I was sad to see the old girl go today. She has been very good to us for the past 6 years. We have many fond memories, including the Thanksgiving we spent on Balboa and got engaged, camping in Montana (it's a good thing we were newlyweds because we barely fit), bringing home two new babies from the hospital, driving the entire stretch of the I-15 (not in one trip, thankfully), moving 4 times, and surviving most of our first summer in Arizona without air conditioning.

So take good care of her, please. She will be missed.

Love, Stephanie

p.s. Are you sure you don't want our sweet Honda instead? It's not too late to change your mind.

Dinner at the Diner

There is a Ruby's in Arizona!!

Mike and I stumbled upon our favorite restaurant (ok, maybe it's just my favorite restaurant) last night. Of course we had to eat there. Afterall, it was my birthday dinner. I had the chicken tacos and a dark chocolate strawberry shake.
It was divine.

Now we can officially stay in Arizona forever.

When I told Mabel about it today, she actually jumped up and down in excitement.

27 on the 27th

Happy Birthday to Me.

Houseguests

We are sad to see Pa go home today.
We have had lots of fun hugging and reading books.
But now we are happy to have Guggle and Mimi visit!

New Skivvies

No, Mike and I are not crazy and we are not trying to potty train our 23 month old son (although, my oldest brother was potty trained when he was just 22 months, so apparently it CAN be done), we are just getting him used to the idea. He wore his "tractor" undies for a little while last night and loved them. Maybe we will try the "nemo" pair tomorrow.

I just love those legs.

Family Portrait

Here is our most recent family portrait, as drawn by Mabel this afternoon. First is Mabel (with the longest hair, she said), then Me, Oliver, and Mike.

As a side note, when we went to Costco the other night, she had to wear a hat so that no one would see her new haircut. We are still trying to get over the trauma.

Trauma in the Kitchen, or The Haircut

When we moved to Arizona, Mabel decided to grow her hair out. It was almost to her shoulders when she changed her mind. A couple of weeks ago she told me that she wanted it to be short. I gave her some time to change her mind again, but when she didn't, we decided to go for it.

I ended up cutting it quite a bit shorter than I had planned, and I must admit that in the middle of it all I very nearly gave up and thought I should take it to a professional to get fixed. But I just kept cutting. I actually think it turned out pretty well for my extremely amateur skills.

However, once she saw herself in the mirror, she burst into tears. It was shorter than she expected and she hated it. I felt terrible! I knew exactly how she was feeling, since I have shed tears over many a haircut in my lifetime.

I did my best to console her, but nothing helped. I think she looks really sweet with short hair, but as of today, we are officially growing it out again. I hope she changes her mind.

What do you think?

Right before I snapped this picture she said, "I don't feel like smiling."

Bedhead

I Love to See the Temple

Was there ever a man or woman who, in a time of quiet introspection, has not pondered the solemn mysteries of life?

Has he or she not asked, "Where did I come from? Why am I here? Where am I going? What is my relationship to my Maker? Will death rob me of the treasured associations of life? What of my family? Will there be another existence after this, and, if so, will we know one another there?"

The answers to these questions are not found in the wisdom of the world. They are found only in the revealed word of God. Temples of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints are sacred structures in which these and other eternal questions are answered. Each is dedicated as a house of the Lord, a place of holiness and peace shut apart from the world. There truths are taught and ordinances are performed that bring knowledge of things eternal and motivate the participants to live with an understanding of our divine inheritance as children of God and an awareness of our potential as eternal beings.

President Gordon B. Hinckley
(for the whole article, click here.)

Tonight is our Ward Temple Night, and Mike's mom has graciously offered to babysit so that Mike and I can attend. I love going to the temple. I am very lucky to live within minutes of this temple. Attending the temple gives me a chance to forget about the cares of the world and focus on the things of eternity. It gives me perspective and peace. It makes me a better wife, a better mother, and a better neighbor.

Wide Open

Did you know that Mabel sleeps with her eyes open?
She really believes she does.

Guggle

Happy birthday, Lincoln!
We hope your day was totally rad.
Can't wait to see you (and Mimi) next week!

Target

Tonight, whilst cooking dinner, I overheard my kids playing-- not playing store, but playing Target. Do you think this is an indication that I shop there too often?

I am not quite sure why the hats were needed.

Happy Anniversary!

34 years ago today my parents were sealed in the Oakland LDS Temple. They have always been amazing examples of what a marriage should be. I am so grateful to have been raised by such loving, patient, and tender people.

(for some cute pictures from their wedding day, click here.)

September, 1995

This is for Leslie.

Obviously, I wasn't always as attractive as I am now,
but I was a lot skinnier back then (sigh).
I look like I am on drugs.
Maybe that's why I got in a car accident during my first driving test.

Arizona Resident

It's official.

(and mom, it expires in 2044)

The Family Bed

Mike and I are not believers in the Family Bed theory, but that doesn't stop our kids from joining us during the wee hours of the morning. We only have a queen size bed, so when the four of us are in there together, it is a tight squeeze. As cozy as it is, and as nice as the hugs are, it obliterates any chance of sleep for me for the rest of the morning. I am tired.

Today

Today I am grateful for:

1. my husband, for working hard for our family

2. my kids, for being so perfect

3. my job as a homemaker

4. my newly acquired plane tickets to Indiana for Thanksgiving

5. my safe car (thanks again, mom and dad!)

6. my grass, for finally turning green (thanks to Mike's ingenious sprinkler set-up)

7. my air conditioning, for making Arizona summers liveable


8. my Ben and Jerry's Oatmeal Cookie Chunk, for getting me over my mid-afternoon slump

9. my membership at the YMCA, for letting me eat ice cream guilt free every once in a while

10. my hairdresser, for giving me blonde hair once again

Monkeys

"ooo-ooo-ooo-ah-ah!"


In other news, Mabel was practically eaten alive the other night. The current bug bite count on her legs is 8, and they are all starting to swell. It is very sad. But I guess that's what she gets for being so delicious!

Games

We love games.

Our favorites for family play are Candyland and Hungry Hungry Hippos. I like Yahtzee and Rummikub. Mike likes Monopoly and Risk, but I refuse to play those with him. They require too much strategy for my taste. For Mike's birthday, Mabel got him Princess Monopoly-- a fusion of both of their favorite things. It provides hours of priceless father-daughter bonding. If you ask Mabel what she wants to do for Family Home Evening, her answer is always the same: "play games with our family."

Uno, anyone?

Recipe of the Week

Waikiki Meatballs

1 1/2 lbs ground beef
2/3 c saltine crackers, crushed
1/3 c minced onion
1 egg
1 1/2 tsp salt
1/4 tsp ginger
1/4 c milk
2 Tbsp cornstarch
1/2 c brown sugar
1 can (13.5 oz) chunk pineapple, reserve juice
1/3 c vinegar
1 Tbsp soy sauce
1 chopped bell pepper

Mix meat, crumbs, onion, egg, salt, ginger and milk in a large bowl. Shape into balls. Place on a cookie sheet in a 350 degree oven for 15-20 minutes, or until meatballs are cooked through. Meanwhile, in a small bowl, combine cornstarch and sugar. Stir in reserved pineapple juice, vinegar, and soy sauce. Stir until smooth. Pour into a large skillet that has been warmed on medium heat. Stir constantly until mixture thickens and boils. Boil and stir for one minute. Add meatballs, pineapple, and bell pepper. Heat through, for about 2-3 minutes. Serve over rice with Chow Mein noodles.


Since we don't like bell peppers at our house, we don't put them in and it is still delicious. I have to thank Alissa from my BYU married student ward for the recipe. It is one of our favorites! I can even get over the fact that touching raw ground beef grosses me out and makes me sanitize my entire kitchen once the meal is over. It is worth it for these yummy meatballs.

Oliver is obviously a fan.

Baby Steps

To the untrained eye, this looks like a regular light switch. But to me, this represents progress. We are one small step closer to completing the interior of our house. We are finally getting the sockets and switches done! I think they are the most beautiful things I have ever seen.