The Great Salt Lake!!

Saturday was announced as being a free day at all State Parks. It was a perfect day out at the Great Salt Lake. Once you get used to the initial sulfur smell and walk the good mile from the picnic/parking area to the shore (due to the water being so low) it was practically a day in California. Malia was proud of the 'T 'she wrote in the sand and Tessa was loving throwing rocks and sand just like her big sis. It was so quiet out there and nice to get away from the city a little bit.

That night I got to go to the Dinner/Relief Society Broadcast with my mom. It was so nice to just be with her. I love that she loves my kids and all, but sometimes I just need to be able lay my head on my mom's shoulder myself and be her little girl again. President Uchtdorf's talk was so so so what I needed. It fed my spirit and I came away remembering that I really was created from a Creator and that, as His child, I have inherited creative capacities. He defined creation as "bringing into existence something that did not exist before: colorful gardens, harmonious homes, family memories, flowing laughter." I love that. I have always been so self conscious that I wasn't as creative as I would like to be. But, what I heard and felt the Lord was telling me was that anything I can do, however insignificant it may seem to myself, if it is bringing into existence something that did not exist before, then I am fulfilling the purpose of my existence. I could go on and on. I just felt so filled.

Today was our ward's primary program. Malia did so great. She was so excited for this day. I just love when the Primary does their program every year, I've always gained so much listening to these little spirits share their testimonies through song and their sweet little-voiced words. This year being up there trying to keep it flowing was a little more stressful. I didn't get to sit and ponder how I can become more like those little children, but I hope those sitting in the audience experienced that...then all the weeks of work will have been worth it.

So, yeah here's to another week. Let's hope it rocks!

A story about gum...

“I had a stick of CareFree gum, but it didn't work. I felt pretty
good while I was blowing that bubble, but as soon as the gum lost its flavor, I was back to pondering my mortality.” -Mitch Hedberg

Most things in this world relating to bubble gum are kind of thought of as frivolous or juvenile, such as "bubble gum" pop music or bubble gum flavored ice cream (who invented this??? GROSS!!). This week, however, my kids taught me a profound lesson, which happened to involve a half a stick of Care Free.

I was traversing through a store that I would rather not be traversing through :coughwalmartcough: and I was trying my best to get out of there. I kept remembering things I forgot at various places in the store. Tessa noticed grapes and bananas in her line of vision (favorite fruits ever) and she wanted them in her mouth right THEN "nana, gape, nana, gape!!!!" I was desperate to give her something to get us through the few items I had left to find, something that would get her mind off said nanas and gapes, I looked in my purse---GUM! Yeah! Lifesaver! (DISCLAIMER: my 20-month old chews gum. It all started when she saw Darrin chewing some and he gave her a piece and there was no turning back, she was hooked. She somehow understands that you don't swallow it and never has. If she ever did I would stop giving it to her because I once read an article that this could happen with the swallowing of bubblegum).

Anyways, so I gave them each half a piece (because too much aspartame is the devil)...but as I'm searching high and low for the darn foam hand sanitizer I had a coupon for, Malia sneaks another piece of gum. "Did you take another piece of gum?" I ask. She, with a guilty expression, nods her head no as I see gum and spit frothing out of her mouth. "Sorry, Malia, give me the gum, you decided to not tell the truth so now you don't get any." (I know, I'm so mean!!).

So, now instead of Tessa's original "gape, nana, gape, nana!" I get to listen to Malia cry for GUM. SO FUN!! Well, I was back in the produce section because the price of the apples had caught my attention and I purposely (kind of) left Malia and Tessa far enough that I could get a break from listening to Malia cry about the gum and I could regain my composure before I came back to pushing them. What took my breath away was when I looked up from getting those apples to see Tessa responding to her sister's sadness. She had taken her gum out of her mouth and was giving it to Malia. And then, instead of just stuffing it into her own mouth, Malia broke that gum in half and gave half of it back to her sister. It was a beautiful sweet moment in a place I don't usually experience beautiful sweet moments. Thank you my girls for giving me that little lesson on selflessness and empathy.

**I should add, so you don't think my girls are perfect and that I live in a state of gum-sharing bliss, that these same girls are behind me right now pulling at both ends of a poor stuffed cat crying "mine, mine, mine" Oh well, it ebbs and flows. Gotta enjoy the beautiful and sweet while it's there.

Four years ago today...I met my first born child.

My sweet Malia,

I'll never ever forget the day they laid you on my tummy. I felt your very presence was permeated with heaven's markings. You have taught me oh so much about love, about patience, about myself, about your dad, about the importance of staying teachable, about the fact that indeed there is a God. You have such a strong spirit, sometimes it gets us in trouble because mommy forgets and goes against the grain. I'm pretty sure you've figured it out... your mom's far from perfect. But, I love the times you let us start over; once again teaching me about forgiveness and how to pick up the pieces and try harder the next day. I thank Heavenly Father everyday for giving your father and I the chance to raise you.

Last night you got very nostalgic on me (which is strange because for weeks now you've been lamenting that you were the last of your friends to turn 4). But you, with big alligator tears in your eyes, cried that you were scared of turning 4, scared that 4 is closer to being a mommy yourself, meaning you wouldn't live with us anymore and that was scarry for your little heart. I just want you to know that anytime you feel that way (and trust me, when you get mommy's age birthdays only get more and more hard) you can know that families are forever and if we stay close to the Lord we don't have to live in fear. You are such a bright light in this world, Malia. May you always know how much you are loved. Happy Birthday!!

Love,

Mommy 6 months old
1 year old
Today, 4 years old.

She invited two of her best little girlfriends, Emma and Saige, to go swimming at my cousin Jen's house in Farmington. We soaked up some of the year's last rays and the girls had fun. We finished it off with some slushies from Sonic during happy hour--yeah for half off!

Meet "Beff"

Pronounced by people who can speak correctly, Jeff. Do you think it's just puppy love or should I be worried? I got to watch this little guy along with his brother and sister this week. Thanks Laura and Brian for letting me experience some boyness. I've never had a tuna can actually thrown across my living room. :) Don't worry, Laura, nothing and no one was injured, but I was like, did he just THROW a tuna can? The boys got some good sporting potential I do believe.

Oh, and on a side note, I get to go celebrate the birthday of the first of my high school friends to turn 30 this week. Happy birthday Jill! We'll all be joining you soon. It's crazy how in high school we were all so jealous that she got her license first. I'll let her go first this year, yikes!

The first day of preschool pose!!

Malia was calling me to get out to the car...when does THAT happen? Needless to say, the girl was excited!
I know it's not kindergarten, but I got a little misty eyed. Where does the time go? My little girl is turning 4 in a few weeks!!

When I asked her what they learned today she said "we learned how to be quiet". Hmmm, well, maybe in the next class they'll get to the real meat of the learning... I hope. Tessa missed Malia, she kept saying "ee-a go? ee-a go?"

And I, well, I got some shopping done with only one child in tow and it was really kinda relaxing. :)

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.