Saturday afternoon zen.

My friend Lisa (who was visiting all the way from Boston) came up the Friday before last and made sushi with me...of course I couldn't find my camera to take pictures of our dually-made sushi, so the pics are of just mine I made the next day. (Lisa's were way prettier, so it's a shame you couldn't see hers).

But there's something about it. Malia was playing at a friend's house, Tessa was taking a nap. Darrin....well, he was probably taking a nap too. And it was...silent (weird around here). And I felt...content....and fulfilled and my mind was able to be still (also rare).....And then Malia came in and Tessa and Darrin woke up and I'm sure the t.v. came on and there was running around and laughing... and I was.... happy once again to have their noise surrounding me. I wouldn't always want it that quiet, but 30 minutes on a Saturday afternoon making sushi is just enough to get me through another week or two. Thank you Japan.

5 years!!

Happy Anniversary to my man!! Part of me can't believe it's been 5 years, another part finds it hard to remember life without my Dar.

If you looked up the word 'patience' in the dictionary there would be a picture of the man to the left here. (Whereas if you looked up 'frazzled mess' you would see a picture of me)...so I guess we just complete each other.

But, I just wanted to take this chance to tellim I luvim.

Here's to like 400-infinity more anniversaries sweetie.

Tag #2--Tessa Lu.

My friend and former companionara on my mission, Crystal, tagged Tessa forever ago. So, here are 10 things you may or not know about my Tessa:

1. She likes to point at my tomatoes and call them "apples". Kay, that sounded weird, my tomato plants.

2. She had RSV when she was 10 days old and we drove up to Wyoming to get out of the smog infested valley that was surrounding us. I sat in the bathroom all night at that motel trying to get her to wake up and eat. She could barely breathe. It was a scary time and is weird to think about now.

3. She has this funny way of playing with her sister where, if Malia has something she wants, she will go find something to trade for it. She's already learned the life lesson that nothing is free in this world.

4. She really likes cheese.

5. She loves to imitate her big sister. The other day at church Malia was walking down the hall feeling the bricks as she walked along, as soon as Tessa saw what Malia was doing she moved over to the wall and started doing the same thing. I wish I could bottle those moments up (or at least have a video camera going)-- they're so precious.

6. Kay, now I'm going to reveal what a great and watchful mom I am, but in the last few days I have found Tessa's face covered in soap, lipstick, and marker--twice. She's obsessed with slathering her face with various substances. The stuff really never ends up anywhere else (knock on wood) she just loves to be a little makeup artist I guess.

7. Tessa's newest cute thing she says is "bless you mommy" or "bless you daddy" when we sneeze.

8. She loves to pray. She's usually the first one to fold her arms at meals and mimics the last word in every sentence through the prayer.

9. She has loved nursery so far. Malia took a good year to really feel comfortable being left. Tessa had a little bit of a hard time the first few weeks, but loves it now. Her teachers say she gets into the singing and actions the most out of all the kids in the class.

10. Well, shoot, I was just getting on a roll, it's fun to talk about your kids. But I'll finish by saying that Tessa is oh so snugly. Sometimes she'll just go up to Darrin or I, lay down on our shoulders and just let us hold her.

We love you Tessie Wessie!!

So, Tessa tags Connor, Kennedy, and Jefferson if their mommies want. :)

Dog Lake with my hubby...

Last Friday Darrin and I embarked on a much needed hike. The whole hike I was commenting on how much I missed this. Hello, we have free babysitters at the mouth of Big Cottonwood Canyon, why are we not out here like every second??? Oh yeah, schedules and all that. But we definitely are going to make more of an effort to get up there. There was a pretty rough part (for the lack of shape Darrin and I are in) towards the end of the hike. We took turns pushing each other up the hill. I know, pretty pathetic. But I was thinking how symbolic it was of marriage. I'll push you, you push me. Together we'll get there. Tired...yes, ornery....maybe, together...definitely. And let's try to enjoy the beauty along the way. OH THE BEAUTY!!! Along with looking into my children's eyes, nature leaves me asking the question how could one not believe in a Supreme Creator???


There was an article in the Mormon Times today that really put into words what I have been feeling lately. http://mormontimes.com/ME_blogs.php?id=1696 I was just put in as the 1st counselor in primary, as well as a more strenuous position of supervisor in my medical transcriptioning, and you know, being a mommy isn't exactly a lay down and rest position....so, needless to say I've been busy and seeming to get busier by the minute. But, through all this I have to say I feel more happy. Here's the ending of the article that pretty much sums up how I feel ...

Most people, Henri Nouwen wrote, are simply looking for ways to keep themselves entertained until they die. Entertainment, like so much else today, is just another form of stimulation. It will eventually leave you flat. Enlightened service, however, perks you up.You'll find that "peace like a river" the spirituals talk about -- a river that is flowing, powerful, dynamic, tranquil and deep. And when you find the latter, you wonder what you ever saw in the former.

Now, for reals, I know people that give a whole lot more service than me. Like the counselor I am serving with who's husband is the bishop and she has morning sickness while carrying her 5th child, or the woman I visit teach who is raising two disabled children as a single mother. My plate is nowhere near as full. But, I am thankful for all of the opportunities the Lord is giving me to "push a little harder" up my personal mountain. I truly do feel exhilerated.