Sleep Deprived

I'm so tired . . . and it's not because of kids. Jonah has slept 12 hours a night since he was 2 months old. Jacob and Sarah get up occasionally for a bad night, but for the most part they're pretty heavy sleepers. This is the reason I'm so tired:

I'm so tired because at the end of most days Brandon and I stay up late talking for hours sometimes! I'm tired because I'm married to my best friend! There's nothing that we can't or don't talk about! So, I'm grateful to be tired. I'd much rather be living on 5 to 6 hours of sleep a day while being married to such a wonderful man than not taking the time to talk to each other about our days, our kids, and our families.

Thanks Brandon, for so willingly listening to me talk on and on, for being interested in my life, for sharing yours with me, for sacrificing your own sleep, and most of all for being my best friend!

**Sorry, everyone. I know it's cheesy, but this is my journal and this is how I'm feeling right now!

Spring Fever

Boy, do I have spring fever! Last week was GORGEOUS with the sun shining and the temperatures warm enough you almost didn't even need a jacket. The kids have been playing outside, taking their loud, little voices out with them (yeah!)! They bring the mud back in with them, but that scrubs out (thankfully, I was wondering there for a minute). I started running again last week and found my spirits lifted by the fresh air and sunshine. My husband and kids were rejoicing that their happy mommy had returned again!

But last night the weatherman reminded me that we live in Utah, where the weather changes as quickly and often as my kids' moods. Mother Nature can be cruel sending a snow storm to us now in March! It's to be expected, I guess. I should probably be grateful for the relief sent last week instead of grouching over the impending storm. But I've tasted the spring now, and I don't want to go back. It means pulling back out the hats and gloves, and spending lots of time dressing and undressing kids. It means loud, little voices inside my house again. It means running through the slushy streets trying not to slip and fall (because a broken leg in a cast will definitely not help with my diet/exercise plan) while cars spray you while you wear your tight, unforgiving spandex for warmth.

Spring! Where are you? Come back to me soon . . . please!

Get-Away

Last week I went with my 3 sisters-in-law and mother-in-law on a girls' get-away!!! I am so grateful that we all get along so well, and can enjoy these little yearly trips. Donna treated us all to a Melting Pot dinner . . . yummy! I definitely overate, but it was worth every bite. The Melting Pot is probably my favorite restaurant!

We stayed at the Hampton Inn, compliments of my frequent traveling brother-in-law! We all packed games and snacks for the evening, but after that HUGE 4 course meal we just laid around the room and talked. I have to say, I just LOVE sisters! Counting my sisters and the in-laws I have 7 wonderful sisters whom I all adore! What a blessing they are in my life!

As the mothers of little children and one very busy mom-in-law, we all relished in the opportunity to sleep in the next morning WITHOUT interruption! Hmm, it felt SO good to be able to lay in bed without little voices asking, "Mom, when are you going to get out of bed? I'm hungry!" We enjoyed a leisurely continental breakfast at the hotel, visited some more (we all live by each other, how could we possibly have so much to talk about?), and then left to do some shopping!

We didn't plan anything grand or big, it's just nice to get-away! I so enjoy the company of wonderful women!

And I have to be sure to thank the super dad who fed the kids, got Jacob to preschool on time WITH show-n-tell, remembered to pick Jacob up from preschool, and even fixed Sarah's hair for the day in piggy tails! And the whole time I was away instead of saying, "Hurry home," I heard, "I hope you're having a great time. Enjoy yourself! You deserve it!" What a great man I've married!

I'm always amazed at how fast the time flies during our retreat. Maybe we should stay an extra day or go more frequently? I don't know . . . that may be pushing my luck!

Where I Live

I LOVE where I live. I am surrounded by such good, good people!

For whatever reason, quite a few families in our neighborhood have been slammed with personal struggles and challenges lately (most of them health related). My heart goes out to them. I am currently in a position at church where I arrange service and help for families in need. But I find that other neighbors and friends are already helping before I even get a chance to plan anything! I can't even count how many dinners have gone in to families all around here in the last 6 weeks or so, and the hours spent watching each other's children, and the hours spent visiting just to check in, or the time spent helping each other with the day-to-day chores like cleaning!

The other day I was talking on the phone with a friend when I looked out my window and saw Ryan, my teenage neighbor who is suffering GREAT health challenges, hand-shoveling MY driveway! I quickly hung up the phone, threw on my boots and coat, and ran to get my shovel intending to send him home to bed to rest. I told him that I knew he didn't feel well and he didn't need to shovel MY driveway. He certainly didn't deny feeling rotten, but simply said it was good for him to get out and DO something. After shoveling my driveway, he and his dad THEN started cutting away at our tree that had been uprooted that morning by the heavy snow. I couldn't believe it!

I also receive many phone calls from those struggling families wanting to know how to help the other struggling families. When I tell them to just take care of their own families right now, they certainly have enough to deal with, they insist on helping because they understand the stresses the others are feeling. I have to wonder what I would do if I were in their shoes. I think I'd probably barely be keeping my head above water with my own family and would hope other neighbors are helping. I find I'm learning a great deal from these good people around me. I pray for them constantly and hope things turn out for the best in the end. To all of them, I thank you for teaching me and allowing me to learn from your great examples! And thank you to the many others who are teaching me about serving others in your countless acts.

I LOVE where I live and that I live by so many good, good people!

Weaning

**Please note, if you are male DO NOT READ THIS - especially my dad or brother (oh, horrors)! And Mom, I'm apologizing in advance for my tactlessness. And just so everyone knows, my mother did raise me better than to not publicly post something so personal!

I'M DONE WEANING JONAH!!! I would literally shout it from the house-top if there wasn't snow on my roof, and I'd probably fall off and break my neck! For most of you nursing mothers out there, I know weaning is a sentimental sad time for you as you miss that sweet, quiet time with your baby cradled next to you while he/she nurses at your bosom. You have no idea how badly I have always wanted nursing to be like that for myself. But, alas, nursing is a great and horrible burden to me. I could tell horror stories that would send most first time mom's running away screaming at the thought of nursing their first child (the rest of you already know my stories are NOT the norm). I have had some different and some of the same problems with all three of my children. But the one great blessing I have been granted is an ample supply of milk. (Which is a blessing until the time comes to wean!) So I have been working on weaning for TWO WHOLE MONTHS!!! And now it's FINALLY gone! Today I put on a regular bra, and I can now pull out my button-down shirts from the back of my closet. Ah, bliss! Now I have NO excuse not to diet and exercise! Anyone up for a 6 a.m. jog?

Jonah's 1st Birthday

Several weeks ago we celebrated Jonah's 1st birthday! (Can you believe it's taken me this long to post it?) We had a family party made extra special by the attendance of Brandon's grandma who was in town for a visit!

Here's Jonah opening a gift from Grandma and Grandpa. He loves to zoom this truck around in the kitchen and push the button for the music! Thanks Grandma & Grandpa!!!

Jonah's cheap parents actually gave him a car seat for his birthday! Poor kid! I just figure he's too young to know the difference and we already have lots of baby toys!

One thing I HATE about birthdays is making the stinkin' cake! It completely stresses me out! Brandon's brother had recently decorated his young son's cake and did a fabulous job! So I decided to see if the decorating genes ran in the family! Brandon actually decorated this cake for Jonah! Didn't he do a great job? I think you just got a new job, Daddy!

Here's Daddy with the birthday boy! Too bad after all that hard work Jonah would have nothing to do with his cake! Watch the video below to see!



Jonah has been an absolutely delightful baby! I can't believe how fast his first year had gone by. It seems like time just goes by faster and faster. I think his first year should have lasted TWO years since he's been such a dream baby! He's so happy and not very demanding. He loves to be with his brother and sister, and can't wait to be able to keep up with them a little better. We are so happy to have you in our family, Jonah! We love you!!!

Spoiled

Either I'm a totally high-maintenance wife who demands an excess of affection from my husband to prove his love to me, or I'm just amazingly lucky to have such an incredibly thoughtful husband. I'm definitely hoping I'm the latter. Brandon completely spoiled me for Valentine's Day!!! I can't believe I could deserve such goodness!

It all started Friday morning when he stopped by the house with a box of cookies and a box of chocolate covered strawberries to wish me "Happy Valentine's Eve!" Wow! We get to celebrate for TWO days? Too bad for him I wasn't aware of that! Right before lunch a dozen beautiful roses were delivered to my door. Shortly after Brandon himself showed up for lunch. As I was making lunch he handed me a card. You'll NEVER guess what was inside? A gift certificate and appointment for a facial at a spa!!! So off I went to the spa, happy to be getting a break from Jonah spraying me with his lunch! I've never had a facial before. And guess what? It was dreamy! While the lady was wrapping my feet in warm, moist towels and gently massaging all kinds of creams on my face, I thought, "How can I go home and scrub toilets NOW! I'll completely ruin the ambiance I'm experiencing!" So . . . I didn't scrub my toilets. I'll have to get around to that next week when normal life resumes. Please don't come over to my house and ask to use the bathroom. It's scary!

Brandon went back to work after I got home, but then came home early again to take me to a quaint little Italian restaurant downtown. After dinner we went to see a dollar movie - "Seven Pounds." Hmm, we didn't know, but it's really NOT the best Valentine's movie! But since we rarely go see movies in an actual theater, it was a treat for us!

On the actual Valentine's Day, Brandon got up early with the kids and make pink blueberry muffins! Then he took care of the kids ALL day while I was helping with a funeral. And, as if I hadn't already been spoiled enough, he presented me with a HUGE box of chocolates at the end of the day! I worked on that box while we snuggled on the couch and watched "Fireproof," a much BETTER Valentine's movie. (I'll work on losing weight again AFTER the chocolates are gone!)

Oh, and just so you know, Brandon's offering free "Husband-Lessons" to anyone who's interested in sending their husbands over!