There is NO comparison.

This evening was just a bit shy of bliss.

The boys played in the tub for a looooong time, while I sat soaked on the rug, and all three of us giggled...they are a hoot! After getting in pajamas, they played like angels, singing, dancing, running from one corner of the living room to their bedroom to jump on the bed. They even asked if they could jump on the bed. Earlier, we had a rather lengthy discussion at the playground over Old McDonald hamburgers and fries about Santa and his elves watching the boys, and how Santa emailed mommy and daddy recently, telling us how good his elves' reports are. (Tanner is totally convinced...so much that he's telling Taylor to be good or the elves will tattle on him!)

Simply said, the evening was WONDERFUL except one tiny part:

While the boys played, I got in a hour. AN HOUR! of practicing. I haven't sat down an played like that in months. It was refreshing. It was calming. It was relaxing. The only thing that would have been better would have been to play my instrument of choice: *My parent's piano. Their piano is like heaven. It's beautiful, has the perfect touch, and it resonates in the piano room for a perfect bass. ahhhhhh!

At one point, Tanner even sat down with me and we worked on thumb tucking and finding middle C....someday I'll be able to sit with him day after day after blessed & miserable day of piano lessons! ♥

Oh how thankful I am to my patient mother, through rain and shine, heaven and hell, who encouraged us, pushed us, sometimes even forced us to practice the piano. Many a time we missed out on something WE wanted to do because we didn't have our practicing done. At the time we sure did complain, but now we all have such a love for music, and ridiculous fun preparing for funerals, weddings, jamming at midnight when we're all home, and just being able to play our instruments for pleasure. *gasp* Who would have thought that screaming matches over a music stand, sheet music soaked with tears or naps on the piano bench would bring ANYBODY such joy?!?!

I don't think this post would be complete without also thanking my dad, for listening for 22 years and counting (Deseret still has a good 8 years to go), the same. old. Suzuki songs. Over. and Over. and Over. AND for putting up with our antics and funding this wonderful blessing that only recently some of us are appreciating! For years he would come upstairs to my room and wake me up around five, and when he knew I was sitting on the piano bench practicing away, he would lay in front of the wood burning stove and fall back asleep for an hour, waking just in time to get the next eager student downstairs to practice. Many times I would lay on the piano bench and practice one hand at a time...measure by measure, phrase by phrase, movement by movement.

Someday. SOMEDAY I'll have a decent piano. For now, however, I'll be content with my awesome trade...4 pieced and embroidered Christmas Stockings for an instrument needing some TLC and DTRs will have to do.

What to you like to do to de-stress or let go?

*I couldn't find a decent picture of mine, so I snatched one from Stephanie's facebook...yes, that's her jammin' away...lucky ducky!

Little Stinker

Taylor has been able to open doors, climb out of the pack-n-play and his crib for about two weeks now. Ryan finally got tired of putting him back to bed, so he literally picked up the crib, swung (is that even a word?) it around and put the short side against the wall...and there it has stayed.

It deterred him for 52 seconds. Little Stinker!


For future reference: We put Taylor to sleep in the pack-n-play in our room about 7:45. By 8:30 we could put Tanner to bed in their room. As soon as they were both asleep, or we went to bed, we would 'transfer' Taylor to his crib. The pack-n-play was also very convienent to toss all the clean loads of laundry into, when we wanted to sleep in our own bed, without drowning in undone chores. Currently the pack-n-play is put away snugly in its place, the closet, and we have our room back.

{wonderful}

Today has been a wonderful day.

Full of productivity and full of gratitude.
It truly is a wonderful world I live in.
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Seriously, guys....I got TOTALLY lucky with this picture!!! I didn't have to crop or adjust it...but the overlay is from HERE I think...I'm sadly not sure where I got it!

Shabby Apple Dress Giveaway...

Head on over to The Meanest Mom's blog to enter for your chance to win a Shabby Apple Giveaway...or don't...because then I'll have a better chance of winning!

Really though, they have some darling dresses at the Shabby Apple and if you need a good laugh, The Meanest Mom has some great ones!

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And for those of you who participated in my "Pay It Forward" back in February, I'm getting closer, I PROMISE! I have some great ideas. I just need to get 'er done, now!

Tackiness

As Christmas is upon us (for some of us geeks that have to plan around birthdays and such....it's just 5 short months away), I'm thinking about Family Pictures and Christmas Cards.

I was running errands this morning after I cleaned my house (SCORE!) and found some GREAT backdrops for this year's picture(s).
Amongst a slew of dilapidated doors and walls, I found a fabulous red, yellow and chrome backdrop at Red Robbin's (the 'gourmet burger' joint), along with green and stonework wall at a local credit union.

So my question is, how tacky would it be to set up a photo shoot on a MAIN ROAD to do pictures against some of these fun backdrops? Last year's pictures were in an alley...

Where do some of you get your pictures taken? Or for you photographers, where do you take your clients? I would love some suggestions for locations the Idaho Falls or Utah County area.

I personally prefer architectural backdrops (doors and walls), while Ryan likes landscapes (plants and trees). We are willing to do both.

(Keep in mind, we're cheap...and we're doing them ourselves,complete with tri-pod and 60 foot camera cord/timer/button contraption...unless Stevie want's to volunteer her services and utilize her shiny new camera.)

A sampling of last years...

My baby's growing up...

...and I hate how quickly they're leaving the happy state I knew of their infantile lives. I feel like I'm missing out on SO MUCH. I totally envy you stay-at-home mothers. Let me share a short story to illustrate how much impact I have on my own children at this time.

It's routine that every morning as I walk out the door I give everyone a kiss, and everyone a hug. I'm reminded from the living-room window amidst pounding and wailing if I've rushed out too quickly before kissing my lovelies good-bye.

When I return home for lunch, I'm greeted by a heart-melting "Mommy!", a sweet nasally "Mommy!" and a sexy "Hi, hon." (Picture eyebrows raising and a mischievous grin...or don't.)

As I turn out to leave, once again, everyone waves good-bye and one tiny someone says, "bye gramma".

"Bye GRAMMA?!?!?!" I guess that's fair, as they see me as much as they see their grammas.

I'm really not sure why Taylor does this, but it's driving me insane (even though I think it's hilarious).

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On a happy note, Tanner didn't wet the bed last night! He woke up dry. He woke up happy. I cheered and hoorayed for a good three minutes. He was so proud of himself, and we're so proud of him. I'll have to continue to hide his water bottle at night. We're making progress!

Field Trip

We had the opportunity to visit Reed's Dairy with a few fun families in our ward the other day. I was able to get a few fun shots of the kids checking things out. And because we were at the dairy, I decided to make them up in black and white.

They have a window where city kids can experience all the fun of milking a cow. I've been through the plant before, during my college days in Food Science, and it was WAY more fun to get the full-on tour. Just the same, there's no way I'd take my kids in there, for fear they'd push too many buttons, including mine!

In addition to the dairy cows, they had a little area fenced off with a mama goat and her kid, along with an ewe and her lamb. The kids really got a kick out of being able to pet, poke, and prod these poor, but darling animals.

Of course, a field trip to the dairy isn't complete without a little treat...even if it was time for lunch! I was really impressed at how well the boys behaved, stuck with me, and handled their huge ice cream cones. I think we'll take another field trip there...I really enjoyed that good 'cream of ice' in that yummy sugar cone. (Don't worry, I ran off my treat in 3 miles that night.)

Thanks, girls, for such a fun time! I'll probably call into work more often to play...That was a great get-away.

Happy Independance Day

What a fabulous weekend! We are so blessed to live in a free country. Really, despite the economy, there is still hope of living the American Dream...even if we're poor as dirt, we still have more than most.

I started a book this week that my dad has had for years called "The White Indian Boy" along with its sequel, "The Return of the White Indian Boy". It's a historical biography of 'Nick Wilson', who crossed the plains from Nauvoo to Utah as a seven-year-old boy in 1850. He ran away from home with a wild band of Indians when he was 12, rode for the Pony Express later as a teen and young adult, and helped to settle Jackson Hole, Wyoming. He saw many a gruesome battle, endured the deaths of half his children, and found joy in the simplicity of God's gentle hand. It's a fascinating book. It'll make you laugh and make you cry. It's written by himself, and then the sequel is by his son, Charley Wilson. It is a fabulous and easy read (probably a 3rd grade level). Just thought I'd share that, since it, too, helped me to appreciate the freedoms I enjoy now.

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We spent the day Friday, July 3rd, with my family in Lava at their "world class swimming and diving complex". We had a BLAST! Afterward we listened to thunder and watched lightening threaten our hot-dog cook. It was so fun to see Keith and Tricia, and have the whole family together!!! (except for Elder Crandall...Reed is returning home on August 15th!!!)

Saturday, we attended the Rexburg parade with Ryan's sister, his brother, and their spouses and kids. The boys loved having all the cousins to play with. We ended up with almost the whole family there! We had lunch in the backyard, with all the goods, including Watermelon. I don't think the 4th of July is complete without that grainy, runny, juicy, odd fruit! Can you tell I enjoyed that part??? Taylor had at least 8 wedges, and they weren't small, either!

We ended the day with $$$ worth of fireworks, thanks to Ryan, his brother Mitch and sister Debbie. The kids had a blast watching uncle Ryan light the night sky while the rest of us visited on the lawn.

It was a fabulous weekend, with SO much fun!!! The most disappointing part, was that I was not thinking as I took pictures with THE camera, that I didn't check the settings...just snapped pictures. So, as you're looking through the slide show and thinking to yourself that they look weird, that's because they were all WAY under exposed. I tried to doctor up a few of the shoots, but they didn't turn out so well. Oh well...better luck next year!

{My Third...}

...day of my new-found exercise routine, jogging/walking went really well! I actually enjoyed it! In fact, I looked forward to it ALL DAY. I was really excited that I made it, without any major mishap. Just trying to get my breathing in sync so I don't get side aches. Other than that, I think I'm going to step it up a notch on Wednesday! Wish me luck!

I think I may have made Ryan feel a little bad, though, because I told him he couldn't run with me. He looked shocked, but I tried to explain as we were running/jogging that his legs are too long and his stride is off from mine. If I try to keep up with him, I'm exhausted after 20 seconds. He was a good sport and just followed far enough behind (he said the view was better, but I'm not quite sure about that!) that I couldn't hear his feet slapping the ground. I reassured him after getting our snow cones (and I got sugar-free) that in a week or two, maybe I'll have more endurance built up and can run right next to him. :) He reassured me the view was better from behind. Silly husband! :)

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On a side note, because I didn't check my camera settings before shooting 300+ pictures on the 4th of July, they're all so under-exposed that I think they're beyond saving. I'll try to take some time tonight...wait...this week...to get them up. I feel like I'm talking to myself. But hey, it's okay.

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By request of some I give you {drum-roll please} Karen's Advice: Do not run. Jog easily. Allow your legs, feet, toes, hip, core, shoulders, arms, neck and all the other muscles in your body the opportunity to 'fall into running'. Don't force it. Your body needs to strengthen the joints that are being used before you 'beat them up'. :) Instead of doing the recommended 60 second jog (and I was doing a hard jog because I thought I had to) alternating with the 90 second walk for 20 minutes, Karen recommended that I lightly jog for 2 minutes, walk for 2 minutes, only four times, then walk it out. I did that the second day and the third I did the 2 minute exchanges for 20 minutes then walked it out for forty and felt much better. I don't know if it was because my body was liking the attention of exercising those muscles, or because I was gaining confidence in actually getting out and doing this.

I still warm up before hand by walking briskly for 5 minutes roughly and stretching my calves and quads a little, then get to it! Afterward, I stretch it out a little (plus the walking it out) and throughout the evening, stretch a little.

Hope this helps those of you who asked! :)

{My Second...}

...attempt at running went much more smooth than the first...we'll see how crippled I am tomorrow morning though. Oh, wait. It IS tomorrow morning, but just barely! I skipped out Wednesday, but went tonight. As of this morning, I was able to walk down my stairs, sit unassisted on a toilet, and get up from my desk without any assistance. HUGE accomplishment...I would dare say bigger than actually getting out there and exercising!

So the short story: I modified my routine, THANK YOU Karen (our bishop's wife who has been running for YEARS), and I must say, it was MUCH more satisfying to not be purple-faced for an entire hour AFTER exercising...only about 55 minutes. I still went the same distance, but different jogging/walking intervals and I stretched a bit more, too.

I feel great right now. I've been packing for our little get-away to Lava to go swimming tomorrow and preparing food and goodies (healthy ones, though) so I've put off taking a shower. I think after a nice hot shower, I'm going to call it a day...or a day and a half. :)

So, runners, I'm thinking of doing this three times a week...how often should one run to keep this up? I understand that you have to use it or you'll loose it, but for getting started, is every other day okay? I thought I should be aiming for daily, but I think my muscles need to recover in between runs...what are your suggestions?

ooh...and I'm super excited about my snippy little 'running' capris...so cute (especially at TJ Max's price...I've never shopped there before, but I think I found a new place to scavenge!). Much more cute than the workout pants I wore through my last pregnancy. :) I LOVE being a mom!