While fevorishly trying to finish gifts and projects before Christmas is on my doorstep, I came across this Christmas memory from last year. It was our first trip on the Polar Express. Because of a snow storm (in Arizona!) we almost missed it. Luckily we were the last ones onto the train with 0 minutes to spare.
Wonder. Excitement. Amazement. It was all there and more. These are moments I never want to forget.
Has it really been that long since I've been around these parts? Usually when I'm on a long blog hiatus it's because I'm pregnant or I have a few screws loose that need fixing. I can assure you that the pregnant part is definitely out of the question. But I probably do have a few screws loose lately that could sure use some attention. Imagine that scene from Overboard with Goldie Hawn incoherently mumbling buh-buh-buh-buh while her kids are tossing grapes at her head saying, "Food! She needs food!"
Tell me you've seen that right? It's a favorite movie line over here. Anyhow, that may or may not be me at the moment. :) But it's all good. Life has a way taking me down that mumbling bumbling path every now and again but good thing I've got plenty of people throwing grapes at me to get me back on my feet.
So I'm still on Halloween but I'm pretty sure everyone has moved on to Christmas by now. Maybe Halloween is the new Christmas though. Trees were already in the stores a long time ago. Bing Crosby's been singing about that White Christmas since it was 110 degrees here. So do you think anyone would notice if this was my Christmas card this year? Don't be surprised if it shows up in your mailbox!
This Halloween was pretty much the usual. Except I managed to get Lincoln to wear a t-shirt instead of pajamas.
The pumpkin family
And the fall festivities
Hopefully it won't be too long before I surface here again. But if it is, just come by my place with some grapes!
October has come and gone so quickly. Some days I wake up and think didn't that just happen yesterday? and then I realize a whole week has already passed me by. It's about this time that I see Ferris Bueller in my head saying, "Life moves pretty fast. If you don't stop and look around once in a while, you could miss it."
I've gotta tell myself to stop and look around. Stop. and look around...because I really don't want to miss a thing.
I don't want to miss the thrill that fall brings to our house. Or the excitement of the first batch of pumpkin cookies. I don't want to miss the debate of costumes and the minds that are changed daily. Or the way they ogle over pictures of Halloweens past. I don't want to miss the feeling of pulling into our far away friend's driveway as they run towards our car with glee. Or Christian's favorite new word "creepy." And Dallin's voracious/addictive reading of Harry Potter. And Ella's ever undying love of stuffed animals. Or spending time at the sort of happiest place on earth. Or Lincoln's couch gymnastics. And the joy (and sweet relief) of dad returning home.
Thanks, Ferris. Such words of wisdom. :)
I adore this sweet family but I think it may be safe to say that my children love them even more! In fact, the other day Lincoln came in, saw their picture on my computer and cheered with delight, "I love Rachel!"
Yes, we love them a lot! They were the wonderful saints that kept everyone at our home safe and happy while Jeff and I took our trip across the pond this year. Joshua was still snuggly in his mom's tummy at that time but now he's here. Such a sweetie he is. Welcome to the world, Joshua!
I'm officially wrapping the summer up and calling it good. Not like I'm singing the praises of fall just yet though. That's still a good month away at least. But summertime has closed its doors and I finally went back and looked at what we captured from it. Cousin time. Water time. Mountain time. Family time. All good stuff. These are traditions that I hope they remember. It takes a lot of work (and a little bit of frustration) to make them happen but looking back, it is so worth it. Family relationships are worth it.
Goodbye summer 2011. Thanks for the memories. (that sounds like a cheesy yearbook autograph now doesn't it?)
My favorite photo of the summer is right here. Dallin and his cousin have lame sunburns but that smile from Lincoln. Just kills me. every. time.
I can't think of anything much better than being able to see a family sealed together. A couple of weeks ago, Jeff and I were able to be with this family in the temple. What a wonderful experience!
The next day in Primary as I was teaching the children "I Love to See the Temple," my heart was extremely full of gratitude. I was teaching them about something I had just witnessed...becoming a forever family. I love how the simple truths of those primary songs sink deep into my soul and remind me of who I am and why I am here.
I have been looking forward to the 2, 4, 6, 8 combination of their ages for a while now. It's just fun to say, you know all cheerleader like with ten twinkles. :) Ok, not really.
It only lasted for a short month and now we're up by one. Dallin has been asking me forever what we would be doing for his birthday. My usual reply was that we'd talk about it when it got closer. And then closer was on my doorstep. It seems that's just how life is though. Pretty soon a mission and college will be on my doorstep and I'll be left wondering what happened to those 2, 4, 6, 8 days.
This year was his turn for an official party. He hasn't had one since he was three (way back when Ella had no hair) so I broke down and figured it might be time to actually plan something since Ella has more hair now and all.
He's still a Lego fanatic so little yellow faced men were in abundance. We have a year's supply (or maybe 10) of Legos. How the 9 year old loves that! And I guess you could say the 2 year old loves it too. Since he was at Urgent Care last night with a Lego stuck up his nose. Sigh.
Oh 2, 4, 6, 9...I love these sweet kids of mine!
If you're not a fan of mushy posts, turn around right now. This might be one of those.
But not that mushy, because you know, I'm not a very mushy person. In fact, mushiness embarrasses me. (I know he wishes it didn't though.)
After a weekend like this one, I realize how much I love this man.
Not because anything spectacular or romantically wonderful happened. On the contrary, it was a weekend full of things that kept us busy or apart. But in those few short moments that we sat side by side, I knew this is what happiness feels like. Not like the sunshine and rainbows and flowers growing beneath our feet kind. It's the kind that comes through facing challenges and worries and disappointments. The kind that comes through perseverance and encouragement and understanding. The kind that comes from facing all the joys and junk of life.
Together.
Summertime took us to Utah. It was the perfect respite to skip the relentless heat of an Arizona summer. Nothing better than a cool summer night, folks. Nothing better. Especially in July. You are bound to see fireworks lighting the sky for weeks on end. We'd scoop up some ice cream cones and sit out on the lawn watching the colorful blasts pepper the night until way past our bed time. Way, way past our bed time. There wasn't a single night that they were awake when I tucked them in. Half dead is more like it. But they loved it. And they begged every evening to stay up until the whites of their eyes resembled road maps.
The 24th happened to be on a Sunday this year. What better place to celebrate this pioneer shindig than at Temple Square. I can't help but feel giddy when I see the sister missionaries dotting the grounds. They take me to a place...no they take me to a person...that I used to be. I often think about that part of my life and long to be that person again. Oh she's here, but sometimes it takes a while to find her.
But seeing those sister missionaries, it makes it so much easier to feel like Hermana (Sister) Pierce all over again. Yes, I think this really is the place.
I met Laker and his mom for the first time not too long ago.
I loved hearing her story about how he got here. Little miracle, he is.
Oh and yes, just in case you were wondering. They are big fans. And I'm sure he will be too.
