These days

I typically try to stay in chronological order when I post things on here, even if I’m playing catch up because life is speeding by faster than I can sit down to write about it. I know I haven’t been doing that lately because I have birthdays to post about from December, our family theme to share for the new year, and so many other small and big moments (walks in the rain to wrestling tournaments) to document on here. It’s always a balance of living and being present in the moments and prioritizing all my life’s goals and demands while still taking time to reflect on and document our daily life to make meaning out of things and to capture our families memories. Whew. That’s a task that requires grace and balance. And time.

Today is Saturday and we have plans that will take up a good chunk of the day, but I am also hoping we will all get some time to rest a bit. And maybe read a good book (my wish of all wishes today!).

Here’s a quick look at everyone these days:

Brinna—more big girl than baby lately. She loves to play “doggy” and “baby” and go to the park

Layla—we just had her parent teacher conference this week and she is on track and showing so much progress at school, she’s always the helper at home and uses her creativity and big heart to fill the world around her with joy

Perry—has grown by leaps and bounds these last few months in his language and behaviors, he can engage in and play family games with us, and he can beat Kyler at his video game

Kacin—just had another ear surgery and is recovering well, he had an awesome freshman wrestling season, his smile and laughter fills our home with happiness, he has such a special connection with Brinna

Kyler—he’s still working at DQ to make money for gas, dates, and Taco Bell, he had a concussion from wrestling that took some time to recover from, and he still does incredibly thoughtful and kind things for everyone around him (sending kind text messages, buying gifts, taking the initiative to see who needs the sacrament or extra help on a Sunday afternoon)

on the jumpoline again

One morning on the “jumpoline” with one of her best buds.

I want their life.

And that hair.

(wait, actually my crazy curls do resemble this staticky hair most days, haha!)

They jumped and fell and rolled and sang “let it go” as they ran around in circles.

I love these two year olds.

Belize 2019 music video

This week has been especially cold here in Arizona. Our regular weekly park playdate was moved indoors because us Arizonans don't know what to do when the temperature drops below 55 degrees. However, because of that we discovered library story time which may end up being a great thing for me and Brinn and to go to together.

But the colder weather also made me dream of going back to Belize. And then I realized I don't think I ever posted our Belize trip music video. Such a fun trip with awesome people (who are willing to dance in different countries with us)!

My favorite part of this whole video is the end--dancing with the sweet Mayan man in the airport (Angie! haha) and our jump on top of the Mayan ruin in Guatemala.

now that’s a pancake

We had second breakfast this morning at Henhouse cafe. Two of the most gigantic pancakes of all time. 

All seven of us went to work on these pancakes, but we still didn’t finish them.

A thought to think on for your Saturday:

locked in

We had to turn the lock around on Perry’s door. Sometimes our little guy has very big emotions. For the safety and well being of everyone, sometimes he needs a few minutes in his room alone until his body and mind calm down a bit. And unfortunately that means sometimes for our safety, we have to use that lock.

Well, Brinna has recently discovered locks and how much fun it is to turn them. 

Eric was out of town, the boys were at wrestling practice, Layla was at a primary activity, and I was home with Brinna and Perry. We walked into Perry’s room together to get something and Brinna shut the door behind us. And she had made sure to lock the door before she shut it.

We were locked in.

Trapped.

How long could we survive stuck in a room together? I just wasn’t sure.


Eric would be no help since he was out of the state. The boys wouldn’t be home from wrestling practice for at least another hour. Same with Layla.

Thankfully, I had my phone with me. I called Eric, but all he did was laugh while I searched for the key that we used to have hidden in the room (it wasn’t there anymore!). 




But I was able to get a hold of my friend who lives down the street before she had to leave for soccer practice. I gave her instructions to break into my house and she was able to rescue us!! Nicole is my hero. 

old town scottsdale

Date night.
It was questionable if it would happen.
The day got busy, busy and I didn't get a good lunch.

And I am embarrassed to admit it, but if you know me at all you know it is the truth... 

I get really, really grumpy when I don’t eat properly.

So I said mean things and was disagreeable about where we were going to go and how we were even going to make our outing work.

Not my proudest hour.

But things started looking up for us as soon as we sat down at the Thai food restaurant and I got to drink some nice ice water and eat a delicious plate of food.

Such good curry and pad thai.

It was like magic the way it returned me to a human who could speak full, pleasant sentences again.

The rest of the evening was lovely and I was so glad we went to Scottsdale. We walked around Old Town and admired some of the art galleries and ate a treat and enjoyed the perfect weather and each other’s company and conversation. 

The longer I date him, the more I realize how lucky I am to have such an intelligent, patient, forgiving, easy going, fun loving, adventurous, kind, and all around good guy by my side. 

(Dear E,

A million sorries that you had to put up with me during my bad mood. I love you.

-L)

head, shoulders, knees, and...

butt.

Wait, what?

Yep, that is exactly what this two year old sang to us tonight before bed
as she pointed to each body part.
"head, shoulders, knees, and butt!"
She smiled a mischievous smile, too.
Which of her older siblings taught her that one??
Or is this really her own humor??

Oh, Brinna Lou.

Here are a few more happy moments from the life of this two year old this week.

She gathered grammy and papa to play ring around the rosies with her.

And we spent a beautiful morning with friends at the zoo and got to pet the goats.