Is That Even the Same House?

Why, yes, it is.
Thank you for noticing our new paint job.
Doesn't it look swell?

(If you want to see the whole thing, you will just have to come visit.)

Winter in Arizona

means carpet angels

Step into My Office

I have always wanted a sewing room.

So, in a room also known as the Laundry Room, and in a space that used to belong to the big freezer we inherited from the previous owners of our house, my dear, amazing husband has built me a perfectly level and very stable desk.

This is where the magic happens.

And every sink deserves a pretty skirt, even ugly utility ones.

Someday soon, I will paint the floor red.
Someday later we will move the washer and dryer into the Arizona room.
And we will build new cabinets.
And a double desk.
And then I can blog there, too.
And then my "Mom Office" will be complete.

Oranges

Orange season is upon us.

This was my breakfast, picked from the trees in my own backyard.
Hopefully it will save me from the runny nose and hacking cough germs that Oliver breathed directly onto my face during our morning cuddle.
When cuddling with Oliver, one must have his/her face in direct contact with Oliver's face at all times. That means during coughs and sneezes, too.
But, it is worth it to have his arms wrapped so tightly around your neck for half an hour.
Trust me.

Why 2 is Better than 1

They keep each other busy so I can blog and vacuum.

Our Own Private Disneyland

While in California of course we had to go to Disneyland.
For a few blissful moments, we were the only people in Fantasyland.
(Just ignore the two people walking on the right in this photo.
They slipped in while I was rummaging through my purse for my camera.)
But seriously, we were alone on Peter Pan and the Merry-go-Round.
It was awesome.
(And did I mention freezing?)
So, if you are ever planning a trip to the happiest place on earth,
make sure it is on the coldest Wednesday in January.
You won't be disappointed.

Mr. Sympathetic

Here is our Oliver, post-tubbie, crying because Mabel is getting a splinter removed from her foot. I think he cried more than she did.
What a nice brother.

In other news, we are home from California.
It was fun.

Recent Good Reads

Well, Leslie, you asked.
Here are some good books that I have recently enjoyed.
Unfortunately they were all finished prior to the completion of my pretty chair.

1. Snow Flower and the Secret Fan, Lisa See
2. Mr. Darcy's Daughters, Elizabeth Aston
3. The Probable Future, Alice Hoffman
4. Katherine, Anya Seton

I would like to publicly thank my mother, without whom, I would have very few books to read.

What are you reading?

My Corner

This is my new favorite spot at our house.

It is conveniently located in our Arizona room, right off the kitchen, and next to the kids' new drawing table.
While the kids color and "fix" their bikes, I read.

So if you are in our neighborhood, stop on by!
I will make you some deliciously dark hot chocolate and let you sit in my chair.
Just make sure you come before summer.
My favorite corner will become a furnace in the summertime heat.
But at least it will always look pretty.

Charming

Here are our latest favorite reads:

The entire Toot & Puddle series is darling.
The pictures are adorable, and the stories are sweet.

The Tools of the Trade

I think I can consider Oliver successfully potty trained.

phew.

If any of you are contemplating a similar endeavor at your house soon, here are some things that worked for us.

The Potty Clock

When we first made the switch from diapers to underwear, I would set this timer in 30 minute increments. When it dinged, Oliver would sit on the potty. I think it takes a little while for kids to know when they actually have to go, so the potty clock makes sure they are sitting down often enough to prevent any accidents. If I knew we would be leaving the house soon, I would set it for a few minutes before our departure to make sure Oliver had a chance to use the potty before we left.


The Prize

Oliver is obsessed with candy. So when he started refusing to go potty, I started offering a reward. Now he happily sits down when he has to go and is rewarded with M&Ms or his favorite, mini peppermint patties.

To those of you with soon-to-be potty trained toddlers, good luck!

No More Wrinkles

After nearly a year of living in our house,
I am finally able to hang up my clothes.
I feel like a new woman.
Thanks for fixing our closet, Honey.

A New Year, A New Me

I would like to introduce you to my new profile picture. She is everything I would like to be (except brunette). She is sweet and patient. She keeps a clean and tidy home and never seems to be in a bad mood. She is kind and loving, and is always willing to play with her children, even if she is in the middle of something more pressing. She cooks dinner every night and welcomes her husband home from work with a kiss. She is thin and healthy and enjoys exercising. She reads her scriptures daily, prepares weekly Family Home Evening lessons, and calls her family together for prayer often. She doesn't get frustrated when it takes a really long time to put her children to bed at night, and she graciously promises to "lock everything in her head" and to "remember to remember" their nightly bedtime requests. She strives daily to improve herself and her relationships, while managing to maintain a realistic budget, a stylish home, and a clean car.

I have decided that since it is a new year, it is time for a new me. Wish me luck. I have a lot to live up to.

I'll Miss You, 2006

2006 was a very big year for us.

January

We leave California for a more affordable future in Arizona.

February

We purchase our first home, which we immediately begin to demolish.
We are grateful for Mike's parents who let us live in their basement while our "quick" remodel drags on. . . and on. . . and on.

March

We survive our family's first camping trip in Mexico only to return home and find that my beloved Clancy Cruiser has been stolen.
It is never recovered.
I am still sad.

AprilWe finally move in!
However, many projects still remain on the to-do list before we can officially call our house "done".

MayOliver discovers his love of IBC Root Beer, also known as "juice".

JuneSurprisingly, we do not melt during the hottest month of the year.
Mabel turns 4, learns to swim, and participates in her first ballet recital.
It can still be viewed here.

JulyWe spend a few wonderful days with family in Sundance.

August

Our kids decide to be best friends, we say goodbye to the Volvo, and Mike becomes the boss.

September

Our doormat disappears.
Oliver turns 2 and decides that he loves pink socks.

October

While visiting Texas, we all decide that we love pink cowboy boots.
Sadly, my sister cannot be convinced to move to Arizona.

November

I discover that my children really are perfect, when I get out of the shower and see them doing this.

December

I get some weird anonymous comments about our Christmas card picture.

It's a joke, folks. Of course we aren't in love with our car. And we are not rich.

I can't wait to see what happens in 2007!

We Partied Like it Was 1999

After a very low-key New Year's Eve of Boggle, Wii, and chocolate chip cookies with friends, Mike and I went upstairs to go to bed (at about 12:30 am). Behind our house lies a park. That is usually a good thing (it has a really fabulous playground). But last night, that was a not so good thing. We could hear a large group of adolescent boys setting off fireworks right behind our house. It didn't bother us so much, since it was New Year's Eve and all. But when their voices grew louder and we saw them sitting on our wall and running around in our backyard, we thought we would give them a good scare by phoning our local law enforcement agency. They promptly sent some very friendly officers with bright flashlights over and the dumb boys (who had by this time thankfully left our backyard, but were continuing to set off very loud fireworks at the other end of the park) ran home, where they stayed for the remainder of the evening. It was a pretty exciting New Year's Eve afterall.

Stay tuned for My Year in Review. Everyone else is doing it, so I thought I would, too.

Happy 2007!