All The Boys Are At The Pool

I really don't like swimming at all. I mean, I love to go to the pool and the beach all summer long, but I find no enjoyent in going to an indoor pool when it is freezing outside. For me, it's all about the sun, not the water. But the men in my life do not feel the same way. And so we have a standing date at the pool every Saturday afternoon. Well, they do. I go sometimes, but not today. I just couldn't do it today. And though I am thrilled not to be in the pool right now, I'm also feeling like I'm missing out a little bit. I mean, wasn't it wonderful a few weeks ago when Jake really started swimming on his own? I'm so glad I was there. But you know what? Come to think of it, I'm not all that sad to be dry at home. In fact, it's kind of nice. I don't like being cold and wet. But I do like pictures of my boys having fun, which they sure do at the pool. So here's a picture from the last time we went -- yeah, I took the camera so I had a great excuse to get out of the water well before the rest of my family :)

The Top Ten(ish)

So I saw this idea on a friend's blog and thought it would be fun to do. All I had to do was pick my top ten photos. Boy, was it a hard job. Since I have literally thousands of pictures from the past year alone (yes, I do take that any pictures...), I decided to focus just on this past summer. Well, I was finally able to narrow it down to the top twelve, taking into account not only the memories involved, but also the composition, lighting, etc. So here they are:

Mayonnaise

She's a nut case. But she's my nut case. And I love her. And this photo pretty much sums up my favorite thing about her. She absolutely loves my boys. But don't tell her I told you -- she'll never admit it. She likes to give the appearance of aloofness, of passively "putting up with all their shenanigans." That's what she told me. Okay, not really, but I just know she thinks like that. But really, she loves those boys. She can't stand for them to be out of her sight. Don't even try to take a walk without them. Or go to the other side of the playground where she can't see them. And heaven forbid they go into another room without her. She must be with them. And when she is with them, she must be in the middle of the action. And then she has to act like she really doesn't want to be there, but I've got her number. I know the truth. I really love this dog. Because she loves my boys.

I Love My Plumber

I am constantly amazed by the things Dan can do. He can do anything (and I'm definitely not biased, thank you very much) from writing computer programs to driving ships, from reciting nearly every line from Alice In Wonderland to fixing all our plumbing issues. And we have our fair share of plumbing issues, let me just tell you!
This morning I came downstairs after a very long night with Camden (who has "as bad an ear infection as I've ever seen" according to the Urgent Care doctor we saw today. And that doctor was OLD-- this was not the first ear infection he's seen, I'm sure) to find my kitchen sink completely dismantled. Oh, and the lower half of Dan's body sticking out from underneath. Oh, and Jake drawing pictures of knights on horses, pirate ships, and cars, but that is totally beside the point. I just wanted to share my budding artist's newest obsession. So, back to my sink. I guess the constant dripping from our leaky faucet finally drove Dan to the breaking point, so in retaliation he broke the sink. But then he fixed it! We have a beautiful new faucet that doesn't leak even one little bit!
Thank you wonderful husband of mine! I love you! And now I guess I should go do the dishes in my nice, new, non-leaking sink...

PS. Dan's "plumber's crack" picture was staged. Jake's was not...

Pride cometh before...

The Fall.

I got cocky. It's the middle of February, and we haven't had so much as a minute of sickness. And I got cocky. Hey, cold and flu season is almost over. Spring is just around the corner.

Here's a little advice: Don't get cocky. As soon as I uttered the words, "Dan, do realize nobody's gotten sick this winter? I think we made it," that's when Camden started coughing. Literally, that second, and I' not making this up. And of course, if one kid starts, the other certainly doesn't want to be left out. So now we've got two sick boys (and a scratchy-throated mommy). Sorry sweeties. I take full responsibility.

I Can't Sleep

Well, if we're being totally honest, I should say "I couldn't sleep...a couple hours ago when I was trying..." Now, I'm getting really sleepy, but of course while I was not at all sleepy I got it into my head to do a little project. And now I'm in the middle of that project and I have to finish it before I go to bed. Nobody's making me finish my project. And if I hadn't just written about it nobody would ever even need to know about my project. Oops. Oh well, I'm going to finish it anyway, because I want to. And tomorrow, when I am absolutely miserable and cranky, we'll all know who to blame.

So, as far as the project goes, as I'm sitting here finishing it up I'm realizing it really isn't that great. I mean, it could be so much better. But I like it. It sums up what I was thinking about while I wasn't sleeping earlier when I wasn't tired. Not like right now, when I am tired. But I'll move on.

This evening, as I listened to race car noises coming from the boys' room, I wasn't even tempted to tell them to go to sleep. How can you stop brothers from building those bonds that (hopefully) will carry them through life as best friends? my highest wish for those boys is that they will be close; not just close, but the very best of friends. And if that means they get to stay up over an hour and a half past bedtime with silkies on their heads pretending their beds are race cars (the silkies were helmets, in case you were wondering), then I guess I'm okay with that.

So here are some sweet pictures of Jake and Camden, brothers and best buddies. I tried to choose the best from each year they've been brothers. Enjoy :)

All for one and one for all
my brother and my friend
What fun we have
The time we share
Brothers 'til the end

Upside Down

Just thought I'd share a cute Cammie picture. A very common view of the little monkey. And now we're off to playgroup. Have a happy day :)

8 Years

Well, the day before Valentine's Day is really my favorite... It was eight years ago today that Dan and I became "official." We had been out on a couple dates (some of which we decided had been dates after the fact) while I was home from SVC for Christmas, but then I went back to school in January. That's when I told a friend, " Dan is the kind of guy I'm going to marry. But I'm not ready for that yet." Famous last words! Then, just a month later, after a terrible day (for me), Dan sent me roses! And when I called to thank him he asked if he could come down to visit! We spent the day together (I got more flowers) and right before he left to go home -- we were sitting at the piano in Main Hall for those who know the spot -- he stuttered and stammered and finally said, "I think...I'd like...to be able...to call you my girlfriend." How could a girl resist?! And I still can't. What a wonderful husband I have!

A Quick Time-Line of Our Life Together

summer 1998 - Dan returned from his mission; he came to my house to help move a piano; my mom talked about how hard it must be for tall guys to pee in the toilet (I totally blocked that memory out until Dan reminded me of it recently -- maybe for the embarrassment factor).
summer 1999 - Started hanging out.
Thanksgiving 1999 - First date (labeled that after the fact) was cheap Chinese food and it's still our favorite date to go on; saw the Nutcracker with friends.
Christmas 1999 - We were Mary and Joseph in the live nativity at the Temple; went out a few times; got totally lost in DC and loved it!
January 2000 - Back to school.
February 13, 2000 - Dan comes to visit; it's "official!"
August 26, 2000 - After making it through the Orr family vacation, Dan proposed at the Jefferson Monument. (that's where we went the night we got lost, too). What a wonderful day!
December 30, 2000 -- Despite blizzard warning (and thanks to a lot of prayer) we made it to the Temple and were sealed for eternity. The Happiest Day.
December 1, 2002 -- Welcome Jake! We love you!
June 17, 2004 - Welcome Camden! We love you!
February 13, 2008 - Still in love after all these years :)

My Little DOLPHIN

He informs me he's not a fish. He needs to breath sometimes, so he's a dolphin. Sounds like good logic to me.
So the big breakthrough came today... Jake can swim! Under water! I'm so proud (or maybe I should say I am "well-pleased") I could burst! I am constantly amazed by two things: 1) Just how fast these boys I hang out with are growing up; and 2) How much joy it brings me to see it happening! So hooray for Jake! My little dolphin.
Oh, and no, we were not at Lake Fairystone today. It's been nice here, but not that nice! We were at an indoor pool. This picture was taken last August, but since I didn't have my camera with me today (What was I thinking? I didn't take the camera the day Jake actually learned to swim?!) this'll have to do.

Here Comes The Sun

I am just loving this! It's been Spring around here -- in February! Okay, in Seattle we were getting ready for (and even seeing signs of) the coming Spring at this time of year. But here, in Virginia?! We only do Spring for a week or two around here, and that's in April. All I can say is, "I'm loving it!" And yes, I know it will end in a few days, but let me enjoy it while it lasts!

My Super-Heroes. I'm such a lucky mommy!

When Mommy Won't Read to Her Boys...

Aren't they so sweet and cute? This is what I found when I walked into the living room yesterday afternoon. Of course, they are reading together because I wouldn't read to them...

Yesterday afternoon went a little nuts... I was on the phone with Dan, just telling him about Camden's meltdown at swim lessons, when I looked over and saw Mandisa obviously about to puke on my floor. "Oh no, Mandisa's about to puke!" I ran to the door, flung it open and shouted for Mayo to go outside. "No, Mayonaise! Nooooo...!" (That's what Dan heard.) She puked all over the floor. Nice. Then she staggered across the room, dripping nastiness all the way out the door. That's when Dan heard Jake's, "waaaaaaa...!" (Huggy Bear was in her path). So I got off the phone; Dan laughing the whole time. He told me later that when he hung up his co-workers asked if the kids were getting into something. "Dog," he answered. So now I had a huge clean-up job, including the playroom floor, the floor underneath, several toys including Huggy Bear, Mayo's bed, etc. Lovely. And that was the moment the boys decided they really needed to be read to. Yeah right. Luckily, they are good boys -- and I guess maybe a little used to being ignored -- and when I finished the cleanup and went to search for the boys, I found them being so sweet and cute, reading. What good boys I have!

And no worries. Mayo's fine. We got her new cookies yesterday that didn't seem to agree with her tummy. Those cookies are gone now -- I'm not dealing with that again!

Oh, and I did read to my children after all the excitement. I promise I don't ignore them all the time!

President Gordon B. Hinckley

I woke up this morning to learn the our beloved prophet, President Gordon B. Hinckley, passed away last night. He was a truly amazing man and we will miss him. I am so grateful to have had so many opportunities to learn from this great man, as I listened to him speak in conferences and Temple dedications and read his words in the Ensign and in books.
I remember the time I got to sing for our prophet. He came to Virginia while I was at SVC, and the entire student body (all 200 of us) sang as a choir. He even asked the Chamber Choir to sing their signature song, "Oh Shenandoah," and they sang more beautifully for the prophet than ever before. I can still feel the love, joy, and peace that I felt that evening as President Hinckley, a prophet of God, walked into the room. I feel so blessed to have been so close to him.
At this time, as we mourn the loss of this great man, I am so grateful to have a knowledge of the gospel of Jesus Christ. I know that he will live again, as will we, and that he will be with his family, and especially his wife who he loved so much. I am also grateful to know that there are twelve others who, together, hold all of the keys of the priesthood, so that they are not lost when we lose the prophet. I am grateful for the organization of the Lord's Church.

WARNING:

This post may contain some nudity.

But don't worry, I didn't have my camera with me...

So, our library here in VA is great, with the best story-time we've been to (and we've been to a lot of story-times in a lot of places). After story-time today, the boys and I were looking through the shelves for books and movies to check out. That's when I heard, "My pants are wet!" It was Camden, so without looking I simply told him that we should go pee in the potty. See, lately Camden has become convinced that if he feels the need to pee then he must have already done it...in his pants. He hasn't. This happens all day every day, and his pants are always dry. Okay, so back to the library. He's now whining that his pants are too wet because he peed. So I turn around to take him to the potty and go through the ten-minute ritual of convincing him that the pants are dry. That ritual usually ends in the threat that he will either wear the DRY underpants or go to time-out. Yeah, I'm a really compassionate mother sometimes. Well, what do I see standing behind me? My three-year-old with his (dry) pants around his ankles...and a very full children's section of the library. Yes, these are the moments I cherish.

Snow Day

We got a a couple inches of snow yesterday, and we had so much fun playing in it. Of course, this is Virginia, so the ice and rain came right after the snow, but the now-slushy snow's still out there this morning, so you can guess what we'll be doing again today...

I'll be working on my snowman-building skills. Jake thought mine looked like "a piglet" yesterday.

Go Skins!

"Hail to the Redskins!
Hail Victory!
Braves on the warpath,
Fight for all DC!"

Can you tell that we are die-hard Redskins fans, as in "I don't care how bad they are, they are still the greatest football team EVER!" And do you know what is the next best thing to watching the Redskins win? Watching the Cowboys lose! Yippee! I love the Giants...

I Miss You

I miss you, Baby Jackson. We all do. I know you were never really mine, and I couldn't have expected your mommy to leave you with me or anything -- you're way to sweet and cute -- but I still miss you every single day. And especially today. I don't know why, but today my heart aches and my arms ache to hold you.
You're almost 2o months old already! You must be getting into everything and winning everybody's hearts. I wonder what your days are like. I wonder what is your favorite food/toy/song, and I wonder if I will ever stop missing you. Probably not.

Poopy Tail

Some moms may get to play dolls and dress up, but they must have girls. I, on the other hand, have boys. And okay, we do play dolls and dress up, too. We wrap up the doll baby so he's all warm and snuggly, kiss his very dirty and crayoned (is that a word?) little face, and chuck him across the room like a football. We put on a fireman raincoat (it is so cute, and I found it at Value Village for like $2, but I digress), insist that Mommy lie on the ground, and then announce she's in a fire and the only way to save her is for two firefighters to jump on her like a trampoline, or we wear hardhats that look more like big bowls (sometimes they are) until the sweat is dripping from under them (that's really cute, and smells so good!). But my favorite game, or at least the boys' favorite game, is Poopy Tail. Poopy Tail is a small purple accordion-type thingy that came with a set of K'nex. But Poopy Tail does more than connect plastic pieces to create animals and monsters (though he's pretty good at that, too). Poopy Tail is involved in just about every aspect of our day. And he's always the bad guy. He chases knight and pirates, he hi-jacks police cars, ambulances and even fire trucks, he flies through the air landing in anything from the garbage disposal to behind the fridge to the pot of simmering pizza sauce (can you tell the playroom is right next to the kitchen?). And what is Poopy Tail's goal in all of this? He's trying to poop on his opponent. Yes, you read that right, he trying to POOP on his opponent. Don't you just love little boys? I do!

Puzzle-Mania

Camden does puzzles. Not just little-boy puzzles. Camden does PUZZLES. I guess he really is just like his Papa -- we already knew he looks just like him, now we know he's a puzzle-man, too! Over New Years Papa got out this totally cool globe puzzle (a gift from Amy and Josh) and Camden sat working with him on it for hours at a time. He even contributed by finding pieces that went together. The correct pieces, I might add, unlike his mother who kept thinking she was doing great only to find out that other puzzle-doers had to take apart the pieces she had put together... Oh well, I never said I was great at puzzles. So we were all amazed at Camden's attention-span and natural ability when working on this very complicated puzzle.
But then yesterday he astounded me yet again! He got out a 50-piece Spiderman puzzle (little tiny pieces), dumped it all out on the table, and did the whole thing all by himself! The child is three years old! Okay, maybe this is so cool to me because I can't do a puzzle to save my life (I'm still stumped by some of the little-kid puzzles the boys can do with their eyes closed), but I think the kid must be a genius! Or at least a lot like his Papa!

PS. Yes, Camden is shirtless in the picture. Camden is usually shirtless. He will use any excuse to take off his shirt, and then his pants... So far he keeps the underpants on, and sometimes has an extra pair on his head, too!

Caught!

So, what do you do when your children are being deliberately naughty? As in, they are well aware that you just told them not to do something, and yet they do it anyway, looking at you the whole time...? Well, around here I take pictures. And then we have to pick up everything they threw off the shelves...

Army Uncles

Today Uncle Clark and Uncle Tommy are leaving for Basic Training! We'll miss you guys, and can't wait to see you in May! Good Luck!

And Happy New Year to all!