happy father's day weekend

Motherhood made my world flip upside down and inside out. Mike, on the other hand, entered fatherhood without breaking his stride. It came so naturally to him. One day it was just the two of us, and the next day there were three. I've always admired that about him. He is steady and kind and way more fun than I am. I am so grateful to be parenting by his side.

Every once in a while, Father's Day and Mabel's birthday fall on the same day. This year is one of those years. So, here is a photo of the two people who first made us a family. I love them both and wish them a happy Father's Day and happy birthday on Sunday, respectively.

Have a happy weekend!

Mabel and Oliver go to Dallas

We live near lots of Mike's family here in Arizona, but there are no cousins Mabel and Oliver's age. Their best cousins live states away, and they don't get to see each other very often. A few weeks ago, we came across some air fares that we couldn't pass up, so we booked them a weekend in Dallas with my sister and her family.

Mabel and Oliver have flown many times, but never by themselves. They were nervous, but I was able to take them to their gate and watch them board the plane. When they got to Texas, Leslie was waiting at the security point to pick them up. She is the best host and they had tons of fun.

Thanks for having them, Les!

happy weekend

It's the weekend. Hurrah! And Easter weekend. And General Conference weekend, too! Plus, my parents are coming into town today. Our only plans are to stay cozy at home and eat ham. It's going to be fantastic.

Except that we sent Mabel and Oliver off to Texas yesterday to visit cousins for a few days and we already miss them like crazy. But I know that they will have so much fun with my sister's family. They've never been to Texas before, and they had never flown alone, either, so yesterday was a big day.

I love General Conference. It happens every six months, and without exception, I find answers to questions that I have, or counsel that directly relates to my life. If you have a bit of time this weekend, I invite you to watch. Let's meet back here next week and talk about what we heard. Find out how to watch it here.

Have a good weekend!

happy weekend

I decided to strip the paint off of my floors. For lots of reasons, but the main one being that we had a water leak and had to replace part of it. So rather than match the paint on the new section (probably a 2 hour job), I decided to strip it all off and do something different (feels like a 200 hour job). I hope it's worth it. I finished up the stripping and sanding this week. I'm not sure my hands and wrists (and knees) will ever be the same, but I am excited to try a white wash.

In other news, Oliver's car, the Blur, placed third in the Pinewood Derby. Always a fun time, that derby.

And Mabel is competing in state Geography Bee this morning. Eek! I'm so nervous for her.

This weekend is going to be a busy one, unfortunately, but I am hoping for a nap anyway.

Have fun!

happy weekend

This week was a good one - full of busy and happy things. I felt like I was on top of my game, which was such a nice change from the past little while. Good health is not something to take for granted, and I am grateful to have felt healthy and strong again.

Some good things that happened this week:

Mabel won the Geography Bee at her school! It was fun to watch her up on stage. She kept her cool and used her brain, two very difficult things to do when you're in the spotlight in front of a crowd. (She's third from the right in the photo.)

Elliot started soccer! About a year and a half ago, when I was tucking him into bed at night, he started asking me if he had soccer practice the next day. Every night. For months and months and months. He is finally old enough to participate in our little neighborhood league. His first practice was yesterday and it was everything he hoped it'd be. I am so happy for him.

What made you happy this week?

Have a good weekend!

at this very moment

Some things I want to remember about life right now:

That Mabel is better at applying makeup than I am. That I have to wake her up half an hour earlier than Oliver on school days so that she can monopolize the bathroom. That she cannot for the life of her pick up after herself (but that she has lots of other more important talents, anyway). That she is turning into a teenager right before my very eyes.

That Oliver is balanced on the edge of being too old for his little brother and sister, but much to my relief more often than not, he falls to their side. That he will spend hours with them in the basement coming up with intricate play scenarios. That he is taking to tennis like he's always held a racket.

That Stella has lost all of her teeth (one more after I took that picture). That she still talks in a half whisper, pausing for breaths between syllables. That she is the best reader in her class and that she gives her love unabashedly to anyone within arms reach.

That Elliot will change his clothes fourteen times a day. That he doesn't think it's weird to wear a full baseball uniform, including cleats, to preschool. That he falls asleep on my lap every Sunday before sacrament meeting even starts. That he still whole-heartedly claims the position of baby of the family.

These are good days. There is so much I want to remember.

art in the girls' room

I rearranged my girls' room before Christmas, and I was finally brave enough to put holes in their wallpaper to hang the art we've been collecting. They each got a new print for Christmas. This pretty dreamcatcher print from Yellow Bungalow Shop for free-spirit Mabel. And this wonderful Uchtdorf quote for Stella. It says, "He who created and knows the stars knows you and your name. You are the daughters of His kingdom." It was a little over her head, I think, but Mabel got it. And I know that Stella will someday, too. Isn't it powerful? Have you ever thought about that? Our Heavenly Father, who knows the numberless stars, knows us! Each of us. I know this is true, and I want my children to know this, too.

Heavenly Peace

This past weekend was Mabel's Christmas concert, Heavenly Peace. She sings with the East Valley Millennial Choir and Orchestra in their Youth Chorus. Participation in the choir is time consuming and strict and demanding. But she loves it, and I feel really lucky that she is able to experience it. The conductor expects perfection from these kids and he gets it. Their concerts blow me away every time. There is nothing like hearing a group of 500 or so singers plus a full orchestra fill a hall with the Christmas spirit. I think I had goose bumps almost the entire time. If you happen to live in Orange County, California or Dallas, Texas or Utah Valley or here in the East Valley of Arizona, find the Millennial Choir and Orchestra concerts (the next one will be in April). Or, if you are able, participate. Mabel is taking this next semester off, but she is already looking forward to starting up again in the fall.

for the youth program at church

Now that Mabel is 12, she is eligible to participate in the youth program at church. That makes me so happy for her. More than anything else, the program is designed to help young people gain a testimony of Jesus Christ. I know that if their faith in the Savior is secure, then they will be better able to handle the temptations and struggles that come to us all, but particularly to young people. Every Wednesday night they have an activity (I snapped this photo on Mabel's way out the door tonight), and then they meet together again on Sunday during our regular meeting hours. I am thankful for this inspired program, and for the good leaders who so freely give of their time to help and teach Mabel and other kids like her all over the world.

Halloween

Elliot loves dressing up. He wears this get up on a regular basis, and was stoked to add a real holster, cap gun, and spurs to the ensemble for Halloween.

I was hard pressed to choose a favorite costume this year, but I think Stella wins. She is practically perfect in every way as Mary Poppins. Her hat was a great find in a New Orleans antique store (with a few flowers glued on), her umbrella was from the French Market, and the rest of her outfit was found at thrift stores and Old Navy. She's been dying for high heels, and she needed new church shoes anyway, so we splurged on these new patent leather pumps from Payless.

"For only $300 you can sign up right now for my 8-week program. Break the wrist, walk away." We love Napoleon Dynamite at our house, so Oliver's Rex costume was a no-brainer. We tried to convince Elliot to be Kip, but he wasn't on board. Alas.

Mabel was a gypsy. She is a lover of accessories, so something that required layers and layers of jewelry was right up her alley.

The whole crew. I took Stella and Elliot around our neighborhood for trick-or-treating, but Mabel and Oliver have outgrown me. They both chose to go with friends this year. Mike stayed home and frightened all of the little children as he passed out candy in his horse head mask.

It was fun, but let's be honest, we're most excited for Thanksgiving around here. Bring on the pie!

Paulie!

A few days ago, my dad surprised me and Mabel with tickets to see Paul McCartney. A dream come true! Last night was the show and it was incredible (and also very, very loud). There were lasers! And Fireworks! And crazy fans! It was everything.

Grainy selfies are only appropriate when you are waiting to see Paul McCartney in the flesh on stage.

He was so funny and sweet. During his first encore, he brought a couple on the stage who had a sign that said "You're ordained. We're engaged. Marry us tonight!" And he did!

He sang all of my favorites, plus a few from his new album and his Wings days. He put on such a good show.

I love him.

Thanks Dad!

back to school

Today was the day. The kids went back to school. Hooray! I think it's going to be a good year. Mabel and Oliver started at a new school, and were understandably nervous about the change. It will be quite a bit more rigorous than what they are used to, but they are bright kids and I know they will do just fine. Sending them there was not a decision Mike and I made lightly, but after lots of study and prayer, we felt really good about it. It is a smaller school, just fourth through eighth grades, and I am happy that it eases us through the junior high years. We feel really lucky to have this option.

Stella was off to first grade at our neighborhood school. She picked up right where she left off last year, and had a really good day.

Next week Elliot will start preschool a few mornings a week. And then what am I going to do with myself?! Probably lay down on the couch with a good book. I am completely looking forward to it.

12 year old Mabel

Mabel is so full of talent that it spills out of her unabated. Sometimes I feel like my only job as her mother is to help her see what she is capable of. Lots of times I feel like I am failing. But just as she taught me how to mother a baby 12 years ago, I know she will teach me how to mother a complicated teenager now. I think I just need to follow her lead.

Happy birthday Mabel! We sure love you.

week in review

We had a good week. My parents were in town until Wednesday and we love when they come to visit. It means eating out and staying up late and pretending we're on vacation, too. We even managed to squeeze in a quick game of backyard baseball. Oliver is gearing up for baseball season. Hooray! Baseball season is my favorite. His first official practice was on Thursday, and Elliot wishes so badly that he was old enough to play.

This weekend will probably find me and Mabel up to our elbows in flour in the kitchen. We have quite a few things to bake for her girls camp fundraiser on Saturday. We're even trying out a couple of new recipes. I'll be sure to share them next week (but only if we liked them).

Have a good weekend!

for Mabel

Mabel played the piano in Sacrament Meeting today (in front of hundreds of people!), with only a few days to learn the music*.  Oh, she did such a good job! She was nervous, but her hands were calm and steady and she played beautifully. I am so proud of her.

I am thankful for this brave, compassionate girl. She is reliable and level headed and very artistic. She has a better sense of self than I ever did at age 11. Being her mother is a complete privilege.

p.s. Mabel will be participating in the East Valley Millennial Choir and Orchestra concert in December. If you are local, I hope you will consider coming. It is a wonderful, powerful way to kick off the Christmas Season. Tickets are on sale now!

*Special thanks to our fantastic piano teacher, Sara. She arranged the music for Mabel to play and I am sure that was key to Mabel's success. We are grateful for her.

for our school

There has sort of been a lot of drama at our school this year. Blah. Some of the parents and teachers aren't happy with some of the things the principal has done. It is unfortunate, because I think it is the children who suffer in these situations.

However, drama aside, I am grateful for our neighborhood school. Our family has had nothing but the best experience there, with the most wonderful teachers who work so hard on my children's behalf. I feel very lucky each morning as I hug them goodbye, knowing that they are safe and happy at school. (And right around the corner, too, so they can come home for lunch if they want to!) I am grateful to live in a country that educates all of its children. Sometimes I think we take that for granted, but it really is such an amazing thing.

This morning, Elliot and I watched Mabel and her team dominate the Battle of the Books. They got a perfect score, and are in the lead as they head into the next round in February. Yay, Mabel!

the costumes

Halloween is not my holiday, but I have to admit that it is pretty satisfying to outfit the children in the exact costumes of their dreams. I think everyone was pretty pleased with the way they looked this year, and for that I am grateful. If only we could skip the trick-or-treating and the candy part of this holiday, then I would be all set.

First up, Oliver as "Ralphie Parker" from A Christmas Story. He sort of already looks like Ralphie, so we just went with it. He's totally going to shoot his eye out with that thing.

Next is Elliot as Troy, the red Power Ranger. Can you believe that the Power Rangers are still around? Elliot found them on Hulu and promptly fell in love. He's worn this costume everyday for the last week and it is my favorite.

Mabel wanted to be an elf from the Lord of the Rings. This is the only costume that I made this year, and the smile on her face when she tried it on for the first time made all of the hours of sewing worth it.

Stella is Little Red Riding Hood. She was having a tough time deciding between a basket for candy (more accurate to her character) or her trick-or-treat bag. Last I heard she had decided to carry them both. :)

The whole gang.

Happy Halloween!

p.s. I'll see you back here tomorrow for the start of my month of Thanksgiving posts. It is my favorite and I hope you'll play along!

And then this happened.

Mabel turned eleven while we were in San Diego. On her birthday, she and Mike disappeared for an hour or so. When they returned, she had pierced ears and a big smile. He said she was a little nervous while they were waiting.

Your average mall accessories shop doesn't cut it for Mike. This guy was the real deal. (He has a 5 star rating on Yelp, even!) She said it only pinched a little bit. I can't even really look at these pictures.

Officially a tween!

Happy birthday, Mabel!

Because she was breech for the entire nine months she spent growing inside of me, Mabel was born with the most delightfully perfect head and beautiful rosy cheeks. Once she started sleeping through the night (many, many, many months later), she never gave us a moment's trouble, and she hasn't to this day. She is dependable and honest, sympathetic and kind. She is generous and caring, and is a true blue friend. If you need her, you will most likely find her in the midst of a stack of books (she is an avid reader), or working on a story (I'm sure she'll be a published author someday), or playing with Oliver and Stella (all of their games seem to hinge on her involvement). As scared as I am to one day be the mother of teenagers, I know that she will go easy on us. I feel so lucky to be her mom, and I can't wait to see the woman she is becoming.

Happy 11th birthday, Mabel! We love you!

a party for Mabel

I'm not quite sure how this is possible, but Mabel is turning 11 soon. We had a little party to celebrate. She invited some of her favorite friends (and Stella) over for build-your-own pizzas and brownie sundaes.

They painted their nails. And watched a movie. And played a few games. And even though she specified "no gifts" on her hand made invitations, her sweet friends brought her presents anyway. She was sort of overcome by their generosity.

Happy almost birthday, Mabel!