Matt's 30!

Yes, the pictures are pajama shots. The kids couldn't hold out much longer for the unveiling of gifts. I wish I could be writing that Matt is "30, married with 3 kids, a house, and a truck...all dreams come true..." But, his perfect truck has yet to be found (He does have a wife giving the affirmative, tho). While he remains on the hunt, we included a Dodge keyring, a truck book, and truck cleaners among other gifts - for the eventual. At 30, he has a great life!

After bags were emptied, the kids knew what they personally wanted to head for.

Meg: the new wallet!Paige: the bulk cereal from my parents. Tyler: one of the THIRTY Henry Weinhard's.

Tonight's plans are low-key. A chocolate mudpie awaits in the freezer. I thought of having a drop-by party with friends and family, with it being a big birthday and all. But, when I passed by the idea of inviting people over, he questioned, "Who did you invite? I'll call them back and tell them not to come." He is a homebody wanting a vanilla cream in one hand and silence in the other. And it's his day...so, it's not that you weren't invited...but you weren't invited. :)

I also asked him if I could type up some cheesy post all dedicated to him. His predictable response, "Sure. Just don't expect me to read it." (Really, why do I ask? He knows I'm going to do what I want, and I know he'll read these words eventually) I'll just keep the sappiness to:

"Happy Birthday, Babe. Thanks for keeping things real and doing all you can to make our little family happy. Hope you're happy along the way, too! I wouldn't want to be here without you."

Rough Roadtrip, along this thing called Life

Matt and I headed out on a road trip yesterday morning.

Kids were left at a his parents for a sleepover planned weeks ago. We followed the GPS to Delta, Colorado. Just past Grand Junction. Purpose was to pick up a truck Matt has had his eye on for the past while. Pictures matched his ideal. Price and miles were lower than local comparisons. Title was clean and ready to go, sell by owner.

A pit stop at Lehi's Harley shop for lunch, several playlists, many storm clouds, and six hours later, we made it to Delta's small town grocery store. We met up with the lady behind the exchanged phone calls and emails. We shook hands, left on a test drive, pulled over for closer inspection, and returned. Returned to tell them that it wasn't the one. All those hours of driving later, Matt left empty handed. He was not too upset. He was alright with not settling. I was, perhaps, more disappointed than he. He was alright with the great road trip. I was dreading the long drive back.

BUMMER.

Was there really a point to that long drive?

Hungry, we stopped and slowly ate at a great Italian restaurant. SO nice to have neither a set agenda nor crowd of kids. SO nice to decide to stay the night at the Marriott in Grand Junction. We could unload the bags, play a few games of pool, and relax.

Forget the truck.

Quality time together. Away, just because we could! THAT is why we packed up and went!

The full night of sleep was bliss. We rolled out of bed and were ready to grab breakfast and take it with us on the road. Easy, happy morning...

Then the phone rang. Mom on the other end. "Family News." Never good to hear first thing in the morning. My heart raced through the options. My mind ran through people who might expectantly be sick or hurt. NEVER would I have guessed that my cousin Amy would be the one reported. NEVER would I have placed her in a hospital on a ventilator. Just days ago, she had mentioned turning a corner for the good. She was recovering from the flu and pulled muscle that had kept her down, right? She was on the mend and back to being mom to her three kids (aged just as mine), right? NEVER my dearest friend who understands and relates better to me than anyone else, right? Not the case. Sketchy details relay things are grim. Very grim. Her flu has gone bad. Very bad.

I spent the LONG drive back trying to focus on anything else than the reality. I wanted to find interest in anything along the road. The music was no help. Lyrics sang of how priceless life is. The barren mountains were no escape. Weather-worn shrubs and jagged rocks repeatedly lifted your eyes to the heavens. I found myself an emotional mess. Thankfully, Matt was driving.

Forget the fact that Matt and I had just had a great break.

The chance to openly CRY, was why we took the road trip.

The four hours to get myself together, before picking up kids, was why the random truck so far away was appealing.

Never would have thought of that purpose as prep for the trip was made. But, coming back I could think of nothing else than how quickly one's focus can change from a worldly thing that you have saved years to own...to a far more important relationship. How desperately you want loved ones around to answer any and all questions, to cry and shake their head with you, to check in on both the rough and good days, and to grow old raising their family.

Back home, now, I reconnect to the computer world. I type to make sense of my thoughts. I pray to feel useful miles away. I find comfort in the circle of strong cousins routing for our Amy (via Facebook support). I stay near the phone and hope that tonight's update will bring good news.

There are many in your corner routing for you, dearest friend.

"Cis" (with a hard C)

My regular to-dos sat on the counter, Saturday. A few hours into the day I began ticking off the tasks that filled the lines. Reaching the bottom, I discovered a late addition to the list. Phonetically sounding out the pencil marks, I read "kiss Meg."

Matt took the lead and tracked down Meg to "do the last job on the list." Her giggle served as a sweet reminder to slow down and spend time with the kids.

Once "cissed," Meg must have figured that all needed in on the fun. Next peek at the list revealed even more people that Matt should "cis." Guess I needed the most kisses!

Visiting when G'pr's in town

My Grandpa Dresher came into town this week. His visits are always nice. His visit gave us (families of G'pa's two sons that live in Bountiful) good reason to gather at my parents' house. Dad, Mom, us four girls/families. Uncle Jim, Aunt MaryAnne, their three boys/families.

Tyler shared a few quiet minutes rocking with Grandma, before the crowds came.

Then, Tyler shared smiles with his Great-Grandpa and Delores.

Soon enough, many cameras were pulled out.

"Careful" hellos were monitored between small and smaller kids.

Things quickly got crowded around the couch.

Food was inhaled wherever a chair could be found.

Some held down the kid-table. Some snuck out into the front room.

After food, the kids ran off their energy outside.

Then, the pint-sized crowd settled downstairs for a show.

The adults continued visiting!

Always good to catch up.

Always good to get closer with newly-introduced family! (It was the first-time meeting G'pa for the four youngest babes.)

THE Planned Trap

Last year (pictured to the side), as our uncelebrated St. Patrick's Day was coming to an end, I found Meg outside carefully lining up the wrappers of her few gold coin candies. She insisted that she'd make a trap to catch a leprechaun. I insisted the little men in green come but once a year and that my salad spinner taken from the kitchen would not remain set up until next March. Since then, she has continually thought through ways to create a perfect trap. She's been very excited for St. Patrick's day to come back around..

Beyond my help rounding up cartons as they were emptied, it was all Meg! She drew out the details in her journal yesterday. She braved the torrential Spring rains to gather twigs for the needed ladders. She set up the line and explained her reasoning in detail: "...after he grabs that he climbs up and he lands on this sponge right here...and then he walks and he sees this leprechaun that has a green hat and he knows that there is gold then...and then he can jump on here and get up or climb up there...then he'll be up here and he'll get trapped in there, he'll fall down 'cause he sees this gold...I would play with the leprechaun and keep this for his house..." If only a wee little friend would perfectly run such an obstacle course!

Although this day of green is not my favorite, I followed Meg's lead and kept the magic in it (why not celebrate a holiday when a visiting character can work as a bribe for children to go to sleep quickly the night before?). After all the arranging was complete and she lay in bed, I couldn't help but smile when she asked if I thought the leprechaun would bring his tiny fishing pole. If so, her thought-out plan would certainly be spoiled, since he could dangle the line into the final container and fetch out the gold! We'd have to wait and see...

This morning brought two pairs of pattering feet to my bedside. Meg gave the report that the leprechaun was NOT smart enough to bring his fishing pole, but that he must have shook the bottle side to side and knocked it to the ground. Next year we'll have to have the last box something that can't move. She was alright that her potential friend to keep was replaced with a pile of green treats and chocolate gold coins. As expected, Paige was wondering where her pile of goods were. After a closer reading of the inch-wide note, Meg realized she was to share with little sister and brother. Although Meg easily shared, Paige decided that she wants to make her own trap next year!

Paige's "Favorite Things"

Paige is our singer. If the radio is on, she sings along with it. If the radio is off, she sings in place of it. She sings to give Tyler something to dance to. She sings to narrate what is happening. Sometimes her lyrics are a bit off ("Peas are floating in jello" for the tune "For he's a jolly good fellow"), but still. Her constant soundtrack irritates Meg to no end. I can't help but smile when I peek over the couch and catch a rendition of "favorite things." Fitting - as she selectively packs her bag full of goods!

Spotting Eagles

Matt's parents recently moved from Bountiful to Farmington. Neighboring to the South is a large farming field. Through the fall we watched vines grow and pumpkins appear. Along the East of that field runs a river with large trees lining its banks. Through the past few months we have watched dozens of bald eagles perch on the highest branches or soar through the air. The occasional Sunday dinner includes taking turns with Grandpa's binoculars. Last week, 55 eagles were within the trees at one time. What an amazing sight!

This Tuesday, the day after the foot of new snow, Matt had the day off work. I easily convinced him to head on a drive to spot more eagles. Blue sky and eagles are uplifting! We drove through Farmington Bay, thinking we'd find a better spot for up close viewing. While we did find a place for potential picnics in the future (we will return during other migrating and nesting months), we really just discovered that Grandma's back balcony is the best view in the area. We eventually stopped at Grandma's for that amazing view - Paige with her personal binoculars in tote, I with my camera. Too bad the batteries were on the brink and the zoom doesn't go closer. But even if it could, no picture is near as amazing as seeing handfuls of the American bird in person.

bathroom buddies

Usually it is the girls' braids and dresses that have me thinking "cute" on Sunday mornings. This past week it was seeing Matt spike his own, then Tyler's hair. Bonding buddies in front of the bathroom mirror!

Be Glad Your Nose is on Your Face

(click to enlarge and read)

Last week, I came across this poem by Prelutsky. The picture immediately predicts that it will be a little weird. Most of Prelutsky's are. I wouldn't have thought such a colorfully illustrated poem would have helped me realize some truths I needed to remember: To be grateful for things how they are. That sometimes things might not be greener on the other side. That the ordinary, day-to-day, how-things-have-always-been is alright.

Some of you knew that Matt and I have been considering moving. Seriously considering since Thanksgiving. Matt's company has been toying with the idea of branching down to Saint George and asking Matt to run the whole area down there. Unexpectedly, I jumped at the chance. Ready for a change/beyond sick of things here/craving the warmer weather and new scenery/wanting this for our family, I was on board. It is all we've been thinking of the past while. We have been doing cosmetic fix-ups to the house. We have looked at the market down there. We have been comparing the cold temps here to the warmer days there. We have talked to the bosses. All seemed great and exciting. Months ago we would have boxed up and been out of here in a heartbeat! No looking back!

But, time has passed. We haven't pack. We haven't gotten a final word from the boss (they are still mulling it over). We haven't felt at peace about putting the house on the market. The initial excitement has passed. Nearly as suddenly as we began considering, we have decided against it. For several reasons, we have made plans to not change our plans. We are sticking it out here...where we don't really want to be.

I have spent the past months looking out my back kitchen window at the garden space. Uncharacteristically, I didn't order any seeds from catalogs. I didn't map out in my mind where the vegetables would go this year. My greenhouse is not up and running. I actually dread again being in that space. So beyond trying to pull myself out the season lows of the winter, I am also up against trying to refall in love with where we're at.

Just last week, still in the trenches of deciding to move on or stay put - but leaning towards the fact of nothing changing, a wise friend replied to an email. She wrote in essence, "Plant like you're going to be there forever. Then move when you have to. That's what the pioneers did, right, plant and leave." Her advice gave me more comfort and snap-out-of-it help than she knew.

I've been thinking of both her words and the poem above all weekend. I am where I am and will continue to be here for a long while. Things aren't so bad how they are. I am scrambling to get seed orders placed late and buck up and be happy. I am planning to make the most of the now and stop considering the possibility to move that will most likely remain just that - a possibility that won't happen.

Current Centerpiece

I wish I could bring home handfuls of fresh tulips, or potted plants with green. I'd center them on my kitchen table to brighten up the space. But, reality is that Tyler has mastered climbing chairs this past week. He is on a chair then the table within seconds. Constantly on the table! A vase would be dumped. A pot dug into...

He is our current centerpiece.

A cute guy that I'm grateful to have center.

But,

as cute as he is, I'd still rather have flowers positioned there.

An immobile plant is so much easier to keep an occasional eye on.

Positions and Personalities

When they are not separated by a nap, school hours, or the timeout wall, they are found together. Lately, a jump rope or chairs lined up while mopping, have made instant trains. The three quickly take an available position: Driver/Engine, Caboose, or middle Dining Car.

Tyler is not so much a fan of the front.
But put him in the back, where he can see his sisters and keep up with running legs, and he is a happy camper.
In Tyler's mind, "I have no idea why our hands are raised, but I'm in!"

"...as long as my sock stays on, that is!"

Paige will take the middle or back, if it comes with the a guarantee that she'll soon return to driving position. As long as she is wearing a dress, she's generally happy to participate (if a cold day has me requiring pants and a long shirt, however, it's a completely different story).

Meg initially preferred the front or the back. More control and better scenery, I think. But, one of the times she was stuck middle she came up with the title of "dining car." Newly titled, she could taunt sister with its coolness.