Coming Soon

We've been totally slacking this spring....so coming soon will be pictures, updates, fun stories, and our new header will be finished. :)

We hope you all are well!

What a Pain in the Neck!

So there we were, running our usual Saturday errands with the kids. The sun is out. The birds are chirping. The kids are happy. All is well in our little universe.

Then, out of NOWHERE jumps this killer beast with fangs the size of ice picks. It broke through our car window and latched onto Corinne's neck with nothing short of a death-grip! Lucky for Corinne, I was a Boy Scout growing up - I just happened to have my secret decoder Indiana Jones whip with me in my trusty ol' satchel. With one hand on the wheel and a symphony playing my theme song in the background, I reached down, grabbed my whip, and with the sound of thunder CRACKED it around the beast's torso. Muscles glimmering in the sun, I let out a ferocious mountain-man roar and launched that beast off my fair maiden.

OK, maybe not. But it could've happened, and you know it.

Want the real story? All right, so there we were, driving along in suburbia VA, and Corinne decided to take a peek at Tay in the back seat. She didn't make any sudden movements; no quick jerks or violent turns ... she just turned around nice & slowly to look at sweet Tay, when she felt (and heard) a loud POP in the back of her neck. Next thing I know, she's writhing in pain and can't move her head. Not up, not down, not left, not right.

Thanks to the wonderful advice nurse at Kaiser, we quickly ruled out the possibility that she had a rash. Reason #138 I could never have passed med school - you have to come up with the stupidest questions to ask patients.

Turns out she sprained her neck. In her own words, "It's the most painful thing I've ever experienced." My only reference point to that would be when I passed a couple of kidney gems last summer. That definitely wasn't any fun, so trying to imagine something more painful than that ... well, thanks but no thanks.

And - I have to mention - not only can Corinne keep her smile (I have proof people ... just take a gander below), but she can REFUSE ... that's right ... REFUSE the [very strong] pain medication and muscle relaxant the doc prescribed her b/c she doesn't want it to be passed along to Tay through her breastmilk. OK, I'm officially humbled by this woman.

So lessons learned: #1) Don't ever ever turn around in the car to look at your kids - don't want to sprain your neck; #2) Don't ever ever tell a Kaiser advice nurse you can't move your head up, down, left, or right - she might give you a steroid cream to clear up that rash; and #3) Don't ever ever try to mess with Corinne. This is a no-wimp zone, folks. No wimps here baby; no wimps here.

Birthdays & Christmas

I know I haven't been around the blog world very much lately, but I thought I'd just share this piece of wisdom my 4-year old taught me tonight. I was laying in bed comfortably with my laptop, catching up on some old October Road episodes I missed, when I noticed out of the corner of my eye the door to our bedroom move ever so slightly. And then again. And again. Until finally, over about a 5-minute time period, it was about half-way open. I took off my headphones to investigate, and sure enough, there was a precious little 4-year old laying on the floor in his blue footsie jammies...pushing the door open with his finger ever so innocently.

My natural inclination as a parent was to scold him because I had put him down to bed about an hour beforehand, and he knows the rule in our house is that he still needs to rest in his bed even if he's not sleepy. It was hard to get mad at him, though. I fell prey to his deep brown eyes that remind me so much of a big lovable puppy dog. That's one of Corinne & I's favorite things about this little guy.

Anyway, so I carried him back to his room, and as I was tucking him back into bed I asked him what was wrong - why he was laying at our door. In a very innocent voice, he replied, "I can't sleep, Drew. I keep thinking about birthdays and Christmas." That brought a big smile to my face. What a good little piece of wisdom. "I can't sleep because I keep thinking about birthdays and Christmas."

Remember the days when life was uncomplicated enough that the biggest worry keeping you up at night was that there were too many positive things to think about? Gotta love this little guy.

President Hinckley

Our dear President Hinckley passed away on Sunday night. It is as though I have lost a dear friend. His passing is both bitter and sweet-bitter to lose his humor, love, and devotion to the gospel and sweet that he is now reunited with his beloved wife. He will forever have a tender place in my heart, and the words he has spoken change my life time and time again. It was during his time as a prophet that I gained my testimony.

After I found out, I called Carter in to tell him. I explained that he died and that his spirit went to live with Heavenly Father again. Whenever we talk about bodies not working any more and spirits going to Heaven- he still gets a little confused (but sometimes the conversations are rather funny to be honest). Anyway, I explained that sometimes our bodies just get really old and tired and they stop working and that was the case with President Hinckley. A few minutes later Carter very sweetly asked "Mom...did bad guys get him?" I am pretty sure President Hinckley would have thought that it was as funny as I did.

Cabin Fever

I wish I had it together enough to be posting pictures today since I really need to but no- I am just sitting back reading blogs and totally waisting my time at the computer while the kids nap. The dishes are piled up, I haven't cleaned up from preschool this morning, I have books and paperwork all over the kitchen table and all over my bed that need to be organized, I have a big pile of clean clothes to fold and an even bigger pile of dirty clothes to wash, etc., etc., etc. but yet here I sit at the computer. I think I have come to realize that my house will always be at least sort of messy (if not very messy) and I am mostly ok with that. At the end of the day cleaning and organizing aren't my top priorities- learning new things, working on my "projects", reading books with Carter, and playing with Tay simply beat out dusting the piano or decorating my house. That said- I still would love to have a clean and beautiful home. Hmm. I am not sure where the balance is for me but I know I haven't found it. Drew has been asking for paint colors for months now so that he can start painting the interior of our house. I feel like I make millions of decisions every day for our family, preschool, birth stuff & community stuff, my church responsibilities, (bla bla bla) that having to make those decisions (like temporarily permanent paint colors) is a total total turn off and very overwhelming might I add. Oh how I wish it were warm out side- then I wouldn't even be thinking about this! I would be planning my next outing with the kids. Having a messy and undecorated house is much easier to handle when you aren't home to look at it :).

When My Battery Is Dead

While my "battery" is dead on most levels these days, this post is actually a story about my car...

So last night I got in my car to leave for a meeting and it wouldn't start. I didn't want to be late so I just took Drew's and left. I called Drew at home to let him know that when I got home we'd need to jump the car. I have a mom who will have her baby any day so I can't be stranded without wheels. Anyway, I got home really late and of course Drew bundled up (it is freezing here in Virginia) and came out to help me. It wouldn't start. I was frustrated and imagining a tricky scenario with a mom in labor and no way of getting to her when she needed me. Drew continued to work at it and I went in the house to put a few things a way and check my email. When I returned he finally had the car going. By this time it was almost midnight and the car still needed to be driven around so the battery could charge. Thanks goodness for a sweet husband who lets his exhausted wife go to bed and does the dirty work. You're the best Drew!

Happy New Year

Happy new year everyone! Yep-this is way late, as were the pictures that I finally got up yesterday. Our blog went to the back burner for a few weeks. As most of you learned from our family Christmas letter...I have been a total basket case during the last few months. I just simply cannot keep up with everything and everyone. Some days I am amazed at how much I can accomplish and other days I feel like I am drowning. I have been battling a moster sinus infection for the past week and half which hasn't helped my crazy life at all. Drew was great and took good care of me when the chills and fevers started. Luckily I am over that now but I still can't breathe out of my nose. I can finally taste food again so that is a good sign, right?!

I love fresh starts- new school years, the new year, birthdays, sacrament meetings, the change of seasons, Mondays, etc. What a blessing it is that we have so many opportunities to start over or begin a new. I have many things to look forward to in the new year if I can keep my to do list short and my head from spinning.

Christmas Day Festivities

Let's begin with the rest of Christmas eve...Tay woke up vomiting around 11:00 p.m. We cleaned her up and snuggled her a bit. She didn't have a fever but was shaking a lot! We finally got her back to sleep but she was up a few more times during the night. By morning she seemed fine but was tired and pretty clingy for a few hours.

Christmas morning was really fun with Carter again this year. Bright and early (like any normal day :), he came in our room very excited. Tay was up with in minutes of hearing Carter's excitement. Drew went down first to turn on the video camera and the kids and I followed. Carter was surprised to find that Santa had moved our Christmas tree during the night! "I didn't hear him" he said sadly. Drew and I decided it might be more fun to open Christmas presents in the "preschool" room on a soft rug rather than the hardwoods in the kitchen area. Anyway, Carter loved all of his gifts and opening them was especially fun. He opened most of Tay's, Drew's, and my gifts as well :). Drew and I were really excited to see what Tay would be like on Christmas morning. She wasn't very interested after all with opening gifts. In fact she would get upset if we tore the wrapping paper and would try to put it back together again. Once Carter opened her gifts however, she enjoyed them. Overall it was a great morning with a few special memories. Thank you to all of our family and friends for the generous gifts!

We spent a few hours at Drew's parents house during lunch time. It was fun to spend a little more time with uncle Rob and uncle Kirk before they headed back to college. It was also very neat for Drew to talk to his brother Dave on the phone from his church mission in Mexico.

When the kids finally got grouchy and were ready for naps, we jumped in the car for a family drive. Both Tay and Carter immediately fell asleep in the car. Drew and I enjoyed a quiet Christmas drive together but before long I started getting the chills. We returned home when the kids woke up and I headed straight for bed. I had whatever Tay the night before! I felt pretty bad for Drew because he had planned on going back over the Hilton's to watch a movie with his brothers. But he stayed home because I ended up sleeping for the rest of Christmas afternoon and into the evening. Thank you for taking care of me, Drew! My "bug" lasted a little longer than Tay's did but by the middle of the next day was I was fine as well.

Here Carter is opening up a gift and Tay is going to town on a bag of gold fish crackers that Santa put in her stocking.

Merry Christmas (Eve)

We spent Chrismtas Eve at the Hilton's house. Grandma Heidi made a delicious feast, the uncles entertained my kids and Grandpa Steve planned a lovely devotional. After our tummies were stuffed and our spirits were lifted, we drove through a couple of neighborhoods to see Chrismtmas lights.

When we got home Carter helped me put out some cookies and egg nog for Santa, as well as a handful of carrot sticks for Rudolph. Carter was pretty excited for Santa to come...I am pretty sure he did't fall asleep until after 9:30 pm. He came out of his room at least twice to tell me that he was going listen for Santa so he could come down and say "hi". Here are a few pictures from the evening as well as a picture of Carter sitting on Santa's lap at our church Christmas party a couple of weeks previous.

Kirk playing some dinner prelude music, Grandpa Steve on the guitar during the Christmas devotional, and Carter playing with grandma's vacuum.

Little Tay getting into some mischief and here is a picture of Drew and I.

Carter on Santa's lap...asking for a sled & crane. Carter even brought Santa a "candy bar" (it was really a chocolate chip granola bar) but hey-the thought counts! Very thoughtful, Carter! We didn't push our luck with Tay this year. She wouldn't let us put her down any where Santa.

We hope your Christmas is wonderful! Drew took this entire week off....we can't wait to spend time with him and hopefully we'll be a little productive as well.

Christmas Pictures

Taking pictures of my kids can be very frustrating for me. Carter is easy...he always has a big happy smile ready for the camera. Taylor is a whole other story. It is nearly impossible for her to cooperate for pictures. Here's our attempt at Christmas pictures this year...

We're off to a terrible start...Tay is mad and I forgot to cut the tag off of Carter's new clothes!

The one and only real smile from Tay...she is actually saying "please" for a snack.

Here's our second attempt...after Tay's nap. I think she was even grouchier and here come the fireworks from Carter as well!

Poor Carter. He is always so good for pictures but this time Tay and I have worn him out.

As soon as I took her Christmas dress off and her blanky was in hand...she was a happy girl.

Going Green

Drew and I recycle. We could probably do better at it but I think we are making a good effort. I try to make a conscious effort to talk about taking care of the earth with Carter. I really want my kids to respect what Heavenly Father has given us- our beautiful earth is just one of those things. Setting the example through recycling is something really easy that we feel we can do. A few minutes ago Carter was playing with a large rubber band and it broke. I said "Oh dear. Throw it away." Carter then looked at me and said, "Let's recycle it! Let's turn it into something new....a motorcycle! Ya- I need a motorcycle!" Hmm. I guess I have some more teaching to do.

Carter & Tay at Play

Here is my sweet Tay with such a happy smile. I think she looks like Drew in this picture. She is talking more and more these days but her favorite things to say are "eeeee" (please) and "dah doo" (thank you). It is very cute! I am sure it is only time before she is saying "no" and "mine".

Carter is whipping up something delicious in our pretend kitchen area. It is fun to watch him play with his preschool buddies. The two older kids have really helped his imagination. Their favorite thing to do during play time is pretend they are animals....pets....usually puppies. Taylor even pretends to be a doggy from time to time.

Carter is acting silly (of course!) and Tay's giving him a "you're crazy" look. Hilarious! Most of the time they play together pretty well. I love walking in on Carter trying to "teach" her something. I am glad they are not closer in age...I would really be in trouble! Who knows what Carter would have her doing.

First Snow of the Winter

It finally snowed a couple of weeks ago. It only lasted a couple of days but it did stick! I think Carter was ready to shovel as soon as the sun rose. I promised him that we would go out and play in it as soon as preschool was over. He couldn't wait and put on his snow boots and coat, found a kitchen spoon and some little trucks and went to work on the balcony. Drew got a picture on his camera and I'll have him post it soon. Anyway, as soon as preschool was over we went out to shovel.

Carter would shovel all day if I let him!

Tay didn't last as long outside as Carter did.

But she did like watching the snow fall from inside!

November 2007

This is a little late but I guess that is the story of my life these days. November was a good month but it went very fast. Carter was able to get some good playing in with his friends before it got too cold (not that Virginia is ever too cold!). We spent a quiet Thanksgiving with Drew's parents and youngest brother, Jeff. I also attended two births in November. The first of which was at 3:35 am Thanksgiving morning. Here is a picture of the potato turkeys my preschoolers made.

Drew and 3 of his brothers. Very talented. Thanks Rob!