Long Weekend

Today I asked Ian what he wants for Christmas.

Me: What do you want for Christmas Ian?
Ian: A Jet Pack
Me: A Jet Pack? What is that?
Ian: You know, it's a backpack and it shoots fire out the bottom so you can fly.
Me: Ummm . . . pretty sure those exist only in the movies.
Ian: Yeah unless I grow up and invent them.

Today I admonished Isaac to not go outdoors with no shoes on.

Me: Don't go outside.
Isaac: I want to!
Me: It's winter and you don't have shoes on.
Isaac: But my feet are hungry to go outside with no shoes on.

On Thanksgiving, my kids ate the following:
Turkey, rolls, olives and ice-cream sans pie. Are you kidding me right now? The day after Thanksgiving they visited their grandparents' house and were offered a lunch of Thanksgiving leftovers. Instead, they ate tortilla chips with melted cheese. What the?

Question: Can girls begin puberty at the age of eight?

And, finally, a true story that happened to me today. An editor at the newspaper called me with some questions. The entire time I was trying to talk to him, a certain four-year-old who shall not be named was screaming at me and throwing matchbox cars in my direction to get my attention because working from home is sometimes awesome like that. I apologized for the noise and he said, "No worries. I'm so jealous actually. I'm an empty nester now." So, after I hung up, I hugged my four-year-old a little tighter.

Kids.

My Name is Ian

My wish:
To Learn to Fly

What I like Most about school:
My teacher

My Favorite food:
Pizza

Favorite Animal:
Dinosaur

A person I admire:
My mom

I like: Math

What I do Well:
Ride my bike

Autobiography by Ian
My name is Ian. This week I turn seven. One of my favorite places is Classic Fun. In my backyard I made a giant leaf pile and rode my bike through it. I took a trip to China and learned a little Chinese when I was four. I have a cookbook that I can make lots of treats from. I have a sister who is eight, a brother who is four and a baby sister. My baby sister is really cute and whatever she grabs she sucks on. My dad is a photographer and he published a book called "I Am Ogden," with a picture of me in the very back. I like to go to Bear Lake and Eat Doritos. I play the piano. The end.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY E-MAN!

I Love This Time of Year

Hope everyone is enjoying the end of Fall.

I hope to be back to blogging (and reading blogs soon). Whew! Having four kids is whipping me. Good thing I love them so much.

How Bold Are You Today?

When we lived in China, the Deseret News hired Brian to cover Gov. Huntsman's trade mission in Beijing. I, of course, hauled myself and the family along and was rewarded with a first-class stay at the Ritz Carlton.

Brian was detained around the clock documenting the Governor's every move. So, I took those kids, ages 5, nearly 4 and 1, and we spent our days exploring the city. Isaac rode in a baby backpack and Sophie and Ian took turns riding in the umbrella stroller I was pushing.

Nowadays, the very thought of such an excursion makes me have to go lie down from exhaustion. Who was that girl? Where did she get her energy?


(Isaac hanging upside down on daddy's back while we wait in line at a wedding reception)

Tonight, I snuggled Katie up in the ergo, put the other three on scooters and we headed over to the elementary school for a little carnival. Well, the other three were suppose to be on scooters, but, since Isaac had just woken up from an unexpected nap, I mostly carried his scooter and from time to time carried him and he cried the entire walk. I found myself wondering how many more years there are before I'm done hauling kids to school carnivals? I remembered the girl who had purposely ventured out into Beijing, only knowing three phrases in Chinese. Who was she anyways?
(Isaac and Izzy prepare to take Steve's car for a joyride)

We survived the slew of goodies and the long lines to play on inflatables and then began our leisurely walk back home. As I walked home, I remembered boarding an escalator with my three tiny children and my stroller in a crowded mall in Beijing and looking up to see a Levi's ad sporting some hot models and their pet alligator that posed the question, "How Bold Are You?"

Gee, I was feeling pretty jazzed up bold right at that moment and that statement, "How Bold Are You" resonated through my mind and helped me get through the day.

But, the more and more I thought about the question, the more and more I felt a little guilty for my pride. The more and more I realized that it took a lot more boldness to brave the quiet trials of motherhood when I had my first two babies a mere 20-months apart. When I often wondered if I was a complete failure and if anyone else had ever had such dark days of motherhood? Those lonely days took much more courage than a day in Beijing with three small children and all the high rollers from the trade mission standing around in their suits high-fiving me for my boldness.

(The kids [Sophie] enjoying an ice-cream sundae party to celebrate their completion of a marathon -- in which the parents -- mostly meaning me -- haul the kids to the track 26 times so that they can complete a mile each day)

(Then, said kids are finally rewarded with an ice-cream party and little trophies though sometimes it is even more of a marathon for the parents -- aka me -- to coax them into running a mile than it is for the kids to run a mile -- Lexy and Manthy pose with their trophies)

And, tonight, when I remembered those thoughts that I had on that day in Beijing, it brought me a little comfort. Because, I find that I'm kind of back to those long days when the baby is teething and the four-year-old is giving you a run for your money and so on and so forth.

And, even as I ask myself if the season of school carnivals and other such noisy and messy fiascos will ever end, I see a little old lady standing there all alone admiring my little ones, saying, "I miss the days when I was a young mother . . ."

Deep down inside, I know.

These are the days to remember.

Four Years Old

I never want to forget Isaac's excitement during our first few hours at the cabin. He was all over the place, saying, "Look at me mom! Look at how I can sit on the bed! And, lay on the bed! And jump between beds! And, run across the nightstand between beds! Look mom, look, look, look at me!!!" Then it was out to the porch for some, "Look mom! Look at how I can walk on the porch! See how I can tiptoe? See how I can run? Look, look, look at me!!!" And so on and so forth.

Into the nighttime hours he was still walking around, chest puffed out like a peacock, saying things like, "Yeah, we live here now. This is our new home." When we packed up on Sunday, he cried genuine tears of sadness over leaving.

All three of my older kids entertained themselves by collecting rocks throughout the weekend. Ian ended up with a huge ziplock baggie full and notions about selling the largest ones for a big profit when we got home. Brian said we should leave all the rocks there because it's such a hassle to have rocks floating all over the house (where they always seem to end up in spite of the "keep them outside" rule). But, I thought we should let them pick a few favorites to take home. It seems like our kids are always collecting rocks right now, but, in a blink of an eye, rocks will no longer hold the same magic for them anymore. Soon it will be IPODs and then cars and dates and off to college before we know it. Then I'm sure we will miss the days when rock collections graced our home.

Even this morning, as the kids were getting ready, they had those rocks out, rinsing and polishing them. Discussing which ones were igneous and which ones were sedimentary and wagering on which ones were solid marble. Now Sophie and Ian are off to their first day of school. Katie is sleeping. Isaac is in the tub. And, I am daydreaming about more days like this one. When things are just a little bit quieter and calmer and lunch at a girlfriend's house is a real possibility.

The Best of Times

Friday afternoon, we began our ascent up Logan Canyon and I said the same thing I always say to my kids:

"Get ready to drive through one of the most beautiful canyons in the world!"

I can't help it. Of all the picturesque places I've visited, this canyon must be one of the prettiest. And, I hope it's one of those silly memories that will stick with them when they are adults. Driving through Logan Canyon with me.

We arrived at a lovely log cabin in Southern Idaho in the early evening and as soon as we pulled up I knew I was going to love our time there. Everything was perfect. A wrap around porch with a view. Picture windows facing the mountains. A loft with pitched ceilings that was a magical place for the older kids to bed down with their cousins.

My dad grilled succulent steaks on the charcoal BBQ while the rest of my siblings arrived. We had a carnivore feast accompanied by all manner of yummy side dishes and desserts.

Saturday was a perfect day at the lake. Bear Lake with it's gorgeous aquamarine water and sand that is just right for digging. The day was hot. But, also overcast so it wasn't too hot.

That evening, back at the cabin, there was more feasting. More four-wheeling and Ian riding his red bike on the dirt roads and trails. More quiet meditation under the stars.

It all ended too soon when we had to pack our things this morning and drive home. Back in Logan Canyon, it was raining hard and a thin fog rested around the majestic cliffs making it even more beautiful. We drove through the section where the trees make a tunnel over the road and I looked to my right at the river rushing by. I thought about my own childhood and memories of trips taken through that very canyon to Bear Lake. A childhood that is now past. And, I thought about my children. Two of them go back to school tomorrow. Another summer passed.

I reflected on the summer and decided it was the best of times and also the worst of times. Having a May baby was a delight. And, summers with my kids are my favorite time of year. There was also a lot of fighting, chaos, exhaustion and mess to deal with. Too many kids. A lesson learned that I'm not ready to take on seven for a summer break.

I thought about how Kindergarten Ian is gone forever. I really loved Kindergarten Ian with his dimples and stick straight Dutch-boy blonde hair. Before he lost any baby teeth. A boy who was eager to please and obey all the rules. Who daydreamed in numbers and equations. His long fingers flying over the piano keys while his feet didn't even touch the floor. Those same fingers feeling the fringes of his car blankie as we laid together at bedtime. My peacemaker Ian.

Katie Jane is 3-months old today. Sleeping through the night (knock on wood), calm, bright blue eyes and smiles. She's ready to roll over any day. We are all drawn to her tranquility. And, I melt at the way she is such a novelty to the other kids. "Mom, can Katie watch me come down the slide? Here I come Katie! Did you see that Katie!? Did you see me come down the slide to you?"

Sophie has adopted a Punky Brewster-esque style of clothing. As in, she tries to see how many different colors of the rainbow she can wear at one time. Including mismatched stockings and different colored rubber bands in her pony tails.

Isaac, ever adventurous, is still mesmerizing me with his baby blue eyes.

We drove through the canyon and I thought about this summer. The trip to the cabin was the perfect ending to summer break.

We didn't visit Pineview Reservoir once a week as I had hoped. But, we did manage to take two boating trips to lakes. We didn't hike as much as I had planned. But, we did make it to our beloved Birdsong Trail once. And, we still have the fall. We didn't go swimming much because I didn't feel ready to brave the pool with all four, but, the kids did spend lots of time sweating on the inflatables and the skating rink of Classic Fun. We didn't spend too many nights in a tent, but, we did spend days at Tony Grove (and, nights at a hotel in Logan -- my kind of camping with a new baby!) and evenings roasting hot dogs and s'mores in our own backyard. We tried something new one day when we visited the art building at Weber State University. The gallery was closed for the summer, but, we explored, rode the old fashioned elevator, enjoyed whatever art we could find, and sketched some totem pole statues in our sketch books. Then we fed the ducks and fled from a gang of angry geese. All things considered, it was mostly the best of times.

Gifts

Sunday night was the annual pop's concert and fireworks show at Weber State University.

Tens of thousands of people come and literally cover every inch of grass at the university with their blankets. All surrounding parking lots, yards, etc. are also filled with spectators for this event.

As we prepared to attend, I explained to my kids that some people in our community (the Lindquist's) have a lot of money. So, one thing they decided to do with their money is to give everyone a gift -- this awesome fireworks show -- every year.

What a great gift.

A college friend of mine who I only see once per year or so, contacted me to see if we could attend the show together with our families. I was so excited to see her, and then she made me even more happy by calling me to say that her family is good friends with the Ligoris (who own Ligori's Pizza and Pasta) and we were all invited to his restaurant for basically Sunday dinner Ligori family style.

Mr. Ligori (who looks like Danny DeVito) filled the restaurant with guests and treated us all to a nice meal. Afterwards, the kids were invited out to the parking lot for carnival games and some pretty sweet prizes. Then, we set up our lawn chairs right there in the parking lot and had a front row view of the fireworks show.

What a great gift.

My friend took a picture of us right after there was a short downpour of rain while waiting for the fireworks to begin (another advantage of our set-up -- sending unhappy wet children to the van to wait out the storm) and posted it on her blog with the nicest tribute to the many beautiful women who have bestowed their friendship on her life.

Lately, I too have been thinking of the many, many amazing friends I have been blessed to have in my lifetime. Being with my friend Chris reminded me of all the fun we use to have in college. The way her laugh comes so easily. And, the way she makes everyone feel like they are special.

My life is abundantly blessed with amazing, beautiful women right now who help me grow spiritually in ways I never imagined possible. I missed my mom and my exercising buddies and Joy School mom friends and my priceless Neighbor Lady and the lunch group gals more than I can say when my family moved to China. How wonderful it was to come back home and bask in the rays of their friendship.

It is not possible to write this post without talking about the women I taught English in Russia with so many years ago. Just last week, we met up for a reunion. What is it? About 15 years now? (sheesh) I had no idea back when I was a freshly graduated from high school just starting college gal how much these ladies would truly impact my life. What amazing examples they have been in both the past and the present. That experience, and the friends I made while there, definitely shaped my life for the better. It was wonderful to see them again. Though one evening was way too short.

Some people go their entire lives with only one or two good friends. I feel so blessed to have had so many.

What a gift.