So Dang Healthy...

This is spaghetti Squash

They're the big yellow oval ones.

This is one after you nuke it in the microwave for 4-6 minutes/pound

I served this tonight with a homemade marinara (with tomatoes fresh from the garden).

With a side dish of brussel sprouts.

And yes, I'm serious.  And YES, it was DELICIOUS.  I was wary.  Substituting squash for spaghetti... does that really seem smart?

Concerns I had:

1.  It would take forever to cook.  The microwave fixed that, and it only took about 15 minutes total to get it from a raw squash to a prepared food.  Just poke holes in it, place it in a casserole dish (for easier transport) and microwave.  Let cool for 10 minutes before you cut it in half, gently get the seedsout, and then fork the flesh out.  I saw a few helpful videos on Utube on how to do it.

2.  It would be gross.  Honestly, it tasted a lot like spaghetti, just a bit sweeter.  To compensate, I just left sugar out of the recipes I saw.  I'm not kidding, and I don't lie. :)

It is SO great for WW points, the kids loved it, so did Drew.  We all enjoyed it.

As for the marinara sauce, I peeled the bigger tomatoes (I have a large variety in my garden -- I just blanched them for 30 seconds and the skin comes right off).  Then, I stuck them with my other cherry tomatoes (I left the skin on these, that was just over my will level) and took my stick blender to it.  It was easy as pie. :)  BTW, loving the stick blender more lately.  I think I just had to think of ways to use it. Then, I sauted some onion and garlic, added the tomatoe puree (which I intentionally left a little chunky) to it.   Along with some spices and some good ol' dehydrated carrots for sweetness.  I let that boil and bubble for 10 minutes or so...

SO good.  OH, and I had some chicken paremesean sausage on hand, it really added the bit of protein we needed, along wtih a handful of parmesean cheese on each plate.

Anyway, if you were scared of spaghetti squash like I was, I say give it a try (one of the big perks in the summer is that it cooks in the microwave and you don't have to stand over boiling water).

Lessons from the Couch

The new couch has been here about a week, but last Friday night we hauled our old furniture out.  I actually couldn't even be in the room to witness it...  I was sad.

Not the couch, that one I was happy to see go but along with it went the recliner we bought when Conner was born.  I've rocked each of my little tykes in that thing, fresh, home from the hospital, sleep-deprived rocking.  I started having second thoughts, could I deal with it being gone.  It was kind of a symbol that era of my life was also leaving.  I was really sad.  This isn't to say that recliner was in tip-top shape.  I was pretty sure the seams were going to burst soon... It was just as ready to head out as the couch.

Flash forward to the next day when I sit on the new couch, and I ADORE it.  IT's so soft and plus, I love the courderoy feeling of it.  I'm so glad we got it.  We can all sit comfortably on it, even me who can't sit up straight.

I know, I've whined about it before but 2 of my BFF's have left me in the last month (one is leaving next week -- we're throwing her a party tomorrow)... I coudln't even think about it.  What would I DO?  How would my life CHANGE?  That's an era that's leaving.  It's true.  It is awfully sad to think about.

But, as I sat on that delicious new couch I realized that each era is delicious.  That doesn't mean every single MINUTE is delicious but the era in general is great.  I will love what comes.  I will make new friends and the beauty is that they are still my friends, even if far away.

In other news, the salvation army picked up our couches this morning.  Not even a nibble on Craig's List, word to the wise, we'll get a nice tax deduction off those two. :)  And the memories can stay right. here.

Pick Your Own

My kids have clothes for ages just waiting for them.  I am always buying larger sizes on clearance and keeping them on hand for when those unexpected growth spurts occur.  Spencer, of course, has all the hand me downs from Conner... and let's not even talk about P, the girl has clothes for YEARS...

But that doesn't stop me from going back to school shopping.  It's become a traditional time where they and me go on a date to pick out the duds they think will make them a hip dude.  I think that clothes beget confidence and new clothes that are new and clean beget a good first impression, and we all know you don't get a second chance at that, don't we {flip to deodorant commercial}

Today, Spencer and I took a nice jaunt to Target, and then Ross, followed by a refueling stop at the Round Table pizza buffet, finished off by Sears.  Man that kid is skinny, and news to me -- he hates to shop.  I think molasses could try on clothes faster then this kid! 

"The tag's too poky"
"I can't do the snap"
"I can't get this over my sock"
and on, and on...

We ended up with a fine pair o' toughskins (taking me way back to my OWN hand me downs), and a clearanced Lands End Shirt.  I give the kids a budget and everything, Spencer had a few extra dollars and got himself a lovely T-shirt portraying the life cycle of a frog.  I'm sure that will win him lots of friends in first grade.  It, however, is not a good impression T-shirt, it will be saved for a later date.

In our spare time we talk about possible teachers, his longing to be in Miss Dodson's class (who, Conner had for first grade, but thanks to ugly budget cuts she's moving to third grade), who he'd like to be in his class, or doesn't want to be in his class, what he'll learn, how he'll behave, how one day he'll have to grow-up and have a big boy voice, and button his own pants...

The Circus of our Lives

Well, being all zen in our appraoch to the trip, we had to finish it off with a bang, and what better way then staying a night in Reno at the cirucus circus. 

Kids love it.

We love that they love it, and that we can get a suite for 80 bucks.

Kids played some of the midway games, we saw some of their world class circus acts, and we finally got to the buffet this time.

It's a tradition now, and that's actually a lot of what this whole trip is about.  OH yeah, and also about all these guys:

\

It's about family.

Caving-In

We went to Minnetonka Caves on this trip. 

Man, that place has a lot of stairs. I don't actually know of any caves that we have around here, so going there seemed like a good plan.

Did i mention a lot of stairs, 444 one way... and that's right, 888 total.  Good math skills! :)

The kids were troopers though.  Spencer had been sick, and I worried that Drew would be hauling him out, but he did great on his own.  I, had P and I'm pretty sure this trip alone made it so I only gained 4 pounds on the "vacation".

Then, it off to Labeau's for shakes rewarding us for a job well done.  We really liked the cave... but a favorite is when the guide turned off the light and sang hold to the rod while we did a few rooms in the dark whole holding to th hand rail.  And no, I'm not kidding.    Please feel free to see the "Crazy Utah" post. :)

Happy Utah

I hate to give Utah a bad name, just because of some crazy stuff (oh, and did I mention the 400 ads I saw for the HcG diet while I was there... and the plastic sugery bill boards... uh, huh, super righteous).

We had a GREAT time in Salt Lake City

We visited Welfare Square.  I was amazed at how our church cares for the whole person.  We provide clothes, food, adoption services, employment services.  I think we truly "teach a man to fish".  The picture here is the church's grain elevator.  While the whole reason they have that somewhat elluded me, I think it's just a good example.  The church is willing to store for an emergency, and so should you!

Then it was off to the Beehive House.  I don't think I'd been to that since perhaps mid-high school.  Facinating how a church could grow from being housed here into the 4th largest church in the US today!  The tour was fairly short, AND it was air conditioned.  Bonus!

Then, we stopped in at the church history museum.  They have a new exhibit for kids about the song "I am a Child of God".  I was struck by how much Paige loved all the baby dolls they had there.  She picked them up so gently and loved them.  It was the first real gender difference that I have seen.  My boys would've been dragging them around by their legs... we could hardly tear her away from them.  They had lots of other great activities for kids to do too!  Some of them here are are replica of the pulpit our church uses for its worldwide general conference (I think Conner was giving a talk on responsibility). Also, a replica of the Angel Moroni from our temples.  One on the bottom is the boys "holding to the rod."

Dinner at the Garden Restaurant, on top of the Joseph Smith Meorial buildling, and then off to the new exhibit about the Salt Lake Temple.  They've done the whole thing in miniature.  Great for the kids who wonder what it looks like inside.

No visit is complete without a walk into the tabernacle, to see how the pioneers completed such an accoustically amazing building.  Kids love to hear the pin drop and hear it echo through those old walls.

Temple Square is where our family started, and look how it's grown (but the heat hasn't changed one bit!).

Blessed

I gave a lesson in Relief Society on how Mormons view the healing of the sick.

I had to give a chuckle when I read what I was teaching on.  We used to be fellow nursing students that they could add "the healer's art" into prayers at BYU since our profesors found it so amazing to compare us to the Savior himself.

But I digress....

This article hit me.  Mormons view healing with a triple threat philosophy.  Medical science, prayers of faith and priesthood blessings. I tend to stop at #1. Of course I do, it's my background.  Sometimes I get to #2, and heavens knows I have a prayer in my heart the whole live-long day not only for my patients and my friends/family...

I've probably asked for a priesthood blessing 3 times in our married life, and I'm pretty sure that 2 of those times involved kidney stones.

Those of you who read my blog at all, know that I'm struggling with tailbone pain.  It's been persistant and quite painful given the right situation (aka, Nevada).

I'm not doing the "triple threat' and I'm definately not really having faith that God, if it is his will, could fix me.  I know he can though, I know he's performed bigger miracles then fixing a lady's pelvis.

So, tonight after teaching this lesson for Family Home Evening, I asked Drew to give me a blessing of healing.

I know God loves, just like I love my own children.  At that moment I knew he knows how I hurt, especially on Sundays, and still head to church.  I don't think it's going to fix overnight, and I know it's something I will get to struggle with for a while... but it's the knowing that He knows, and He will help me.

Well, sometimes it's just enough.

That, and a new U-shaped pillow. :)

*My husband holds the priesthood.  That is basically's God's power to act on earth.  He can trace how he got it through his father, directly to Jesus Christ.  It's kind of mystical, especially when you first hear it... but it's an amazing power and I am so thankful for it.  Yes, only Men hold it.  We get to have babies.  Yay.

Crazy Utah

Utah is a crazy state.  Period.  No one will convince me otherwise.  Here's some places we visited that are just weird (but we love).

Smith & Edwards  You can buy yourself an idaho spud candy bar or a tank here.  Or, perhaps some giant cans of dehydrated food, or some cowboy boots.  The kids favorite was definitely the candy (stopped there to get some for Conner's birthday cake).  I guess it was a surplus store gone bi-zerk.  Go figure.

Seagull Book and Tape.  Ok, the store itself just sells Mormon paraphanalia, and whoop-dog is it cheap.  BUT, there were a good 100 crickets outside of it.  I was entirely amused by that fact.  Some of my other Utah history fellows might remember the crickets and the seagulls story and also be amused.  BTW, they were gross, and I thought Spencer might die of stress while we walked there.

Red Iguana.  I swear this place is a new color every time we go, but boy oh boy do we love it.  We even made it TWICE this time.  Drew was in heaven.  A personal favoirte is the crazy motel next door with their garden gnomes.  Worth a visit, even Guy Fieri thought so. And yes, this is an amazing photo. 

Demolition Derby

Our kids are just so dang refined.... I knew a demolition derby was just what the doctor ordered from "lossenin' up' :)

as soon as I saw the Logan derby was going on I knew we needed to take the boys!

Gratefully, Drew's mom took P.

Off we went, after the usual stop at big J's (where they serve the kids meals in cowboy hats) we made our way in, somehow finding a front row seat.

I wanted to see the boys faces as the first crashes started.

Horror, delight, wondering if this was really ok flashed over their faces... And as they slowly realized it was about wrecking cars smiles broke-out over their faces.

So, have u ever been to one?

Just as good as wicked, & a lot cheaper...ok, maybe not but we sure did enjoy ourselves!

I found myself, as we walked out to our car, wondering why the other cars were so quiet & worried they'd haul-off & hit me.

it's a fun little world, but what goes on @ the derby, stays at the derby.
 
In retrospect, I think this was one of the funnest parts of our trip.  Just a time to let loose and have fun.  I also realized how gosh-darn easy I used to have it with only 2 kids.  SO easy.  I kept thinking about P and what a mess she'd be at it.  Love her, but she's work.
 

Trip RE-Visit

We go to Idaho, mainly for Drew's family reunion (which, also happens to be bi-yearly).

They're funny little things, aren't they? I come from an anti reunion family... & in general the idea of contrived activities designed to bring you closer together isn't something I'm a fan of.

Oddly, I am much closer to the family that never hd reunions per se.

But, enough negative nelly.

Our kids love the reunion & while we have plenty of "family" where we live, only a few are actually blood related. Kids need cousins. A good part of me hopes they can find them in college & be as close as I became with mine.

Btw, I think one side of our family just does funerals for reunions... Booo to that!

Much better to gather around a pond.

 

Wow, a short one.  Who typed these?

 

I will add that my kids ADORE the reunion, and there are some set activities including a water slide that they just can't get enough of. I will also admit that as someone not actually related to any of these people... well, there's just a lot of things I Don't "get'... thankfully, I really like Drew's familiy (he has 5 sisters) and his brothers-in-law are great to joke around about how insane it all is. :)

Couch is in Da' House!

The couch is here, the couch is here!

This morning (bright & early, I might add) the couch came to our lovely home.
We went from this:

RC Willey Circa 2001

To this:

Robert Michael Circa 2010

Look, it still even has the tags on!
I love it, it's super comfortable, and I hope the microfiber is as great as the lady said it would be!
One issue, is that they said it would bolt together.  But.  It does not.  My kids are showing this couch the love it so deeply deserves, but it's slowly moving to the corners of the room....  My hope is Mr. Russell can fix that and make ALL my dreams come true. :)

ETA:  Somehow, looking in our living room make me feel extremely grown-up... this is the first lot of entire furniture that was all bought by us (as first owners) and actually goes together...
amazing. :)

Nevada

Ok, the worst part of the trip, Nevada...but you'll find that on day 2 we even found Nevada amusing...

Day 1


Today I was off to Elko. We left the house about 8 after one false start forgeting my boppy to sit on. I like getting off early, but something always seems to delay us!

We always stop @ the circus circus, but boy was it crowded! Much to the kids shagrin, we just ate @ the cafe instead of the buffet. It's a nice place to stretch our legs & see the sights.

P only makes it about 4 hours before needing to get out. She's a pretty good traveler, but I'm sure being rear facing isn't as exciting as she'd like.

Somehow I forget how boring and long those Nevada drives can be. We don't have a DVD player but we try & play games, I get a few trinkets for the kids and I hope that the journey is part of the fun. That's a big part of why we split it into 2 days. hotels are exciting for kids! We know the elko walmart probably as well as our own! Just trying new restaurants, learning about Keno and slot machines... How that nasty smell is smoke.... Picking up a postcard to remember it all.

I try to keep in mind that it's not all about the destination, but the journey. Anyone read Zen & the Art of Motorcycle maitenance? it's a good read B4 a trip.

In Elko we stayed @ the Thunderbird Motel. It was pretty decent. Had a fridge, microwave & a bit of room. I was happy.

A favorite new game is the la-la game where u come up with a song, hum it & see who can guess it.



Day 2

Started out nice & early. We were on the road by 6:30. We thought we'd get some mileage under us b4 we had breakfast. An hour later we had a screaming P & we were looking for a place to eat.

Frankly, you have 2 eat @ wells or there isn't much for a while.

We picked Bella's expresso house & gift shop. Just minutes into our time at Bella's, we learned it was the gift shop & coffe house for a brothel. That's right friends, a legal brothel. We can now say we had a quickie there because P was a mess. We ate quick & headed back on the road. Not without a lot of giggles especially on my part. They had a big sign on limiting the spread of disease in the restroom. Of course, they were talking about handwashing... But my little mind wandered elsewhere.

U r amused. Admit it.

I must say I am loving my MP3 player today. We had Drew's on yesterday and while I love Drew... My MP3 player puts his to shame. showtunes, classical, kids. something for everyone. How did we ever travel without one?

We went up 233 from Oasis this time. We've tried that twice now, with little luck. Last time my phone got us lost and one time 233 was closed. Anyway, this time we plan to conquer it. :) Always nice to see some different scenery.

In restrospect, that brothel stories is one of my most favorite from the trip.  I think our favorite part is that Conner actually picked it.  Of course, there's only 2 restraurants, that and the "four way"... don't get me started on that one! :)

Apologies for the typing, I was doing it on my phone, hence the B's and 2's.  Apalling, I know. :)

Howdy California!

Shh.... I have a secret.

I've been gone for over 2 weeeks!  I know... who knew with those fancy pre-posts on my blog.  Plus, the news of another good friend leaving lead to my friend whine-fest.

Booo....

We went to Idaho and then to Utah for that time.  Drew's from Idaho, and I'm from Utah.  We try to make the trip every other summer and boy-oh boy, am I Utah'd out now!

BUT, never fear, I wrote a bunch of posts while we were in the car (trying to take my mind off my awful tailbone saga, no, the Boppy didn't help this time, woe is me).  I'll post those for a bit while I re-gain my mind.  I know I packed it somewhere....

Prep


This time, I decided to pack a bit lighter. I read on my friend Saren's blog that kids don't need pristine clothes while on vacation. Somehow, this was a revelation to me. So, we brought 5 outfits for each of us, and a sunday outfit. This allowed us to bring just one suitcase with all of our clothes, plus a small bag for toiletries.

We always also pack an overnight bag that we can easily take into the hotel. But that was just one night's stay of clothes. It's too hard to haul everyone's stuff into the hotel and try to sift through all of it.

Each kid has their own toy bag in the car. We used to just do one, but I find this allows for more ownership and less fighting.

I usually spent a lot of time packing, but it was probably just two hours this time, & the kids were pretty good about grabbing their own clothes once I gave them a list.

In retrospect, I need to think more about packing less.  I seem to want to plan for EVERY eventuality... as if there aren't about 20 walmarts that we pass on the way.  As I un-pack the bags, I feel like there's alot of things we never used.  3 blankets, for P really?  Necessary?  Just something to mull over next time.

Back at Friend-Ville

OK, so now I'm losing all my friends (can you see Drew's eye roll here, yes-- I have a lot of friends, and I'm sure that my friends that STILL live by me are crying their little eyes out, but when two of your very best leave you in such a short time span you tend to get introspective and narcissistic....).

HOW do you make new friends?

WHO do you make new friends with?

Are there friend bars I can go to?

Well, the real issue is that I like being friends with people who are in a similar life situation to me.  That means moms of older school aged kids.

This, is a problem.

As most of the women at church have preschool or babies.  I like them all a lot, but it's hard to talk about baby stuff when you're really worried that your 10 year old is turning into a mess.  Organic diaper cream just seems to matter less...  Of course, I have a baby... but I guess when your kids grow you realize that the little problems are just that, little.  I'm sure when I have a high schooler I will look back to the year of a thousand jackets and have a nice laugh and I visit my son in jail.  OK, he won't be in jail, but I'm sure you get the picture.

BUT, I also need to get over this.  A lot of times they have a viewpoint that can make me realize my kids really are great and to stop stressing.  We can help each other. :)  Plus, I have a baby.  I can fit in.  Even if I'm not a size 4... right?  I also worry they think I'm old.  I like a lot of them a lot, but I just think in my head that I'm too old to hang with them.  I am fired.  I should call one of them right now.

I'm sure some of you are saying, "why just church?"  Well, yeah Hilary, why just church?  For a few reasons it's sometimes easier for me to be friends with people who are Mormon, then people who aren't.  That isn't to say that I don't have some great non-Mormon friends, but a lot of things take "translating".

I do think this is something I need to get over.  Woman I'm "attracted to" (and please don't take that the wrong way -- but we all know what I mean, sometimes you meet a lady, and you realize that you want to be her new BFF) tend to have a religious foundation, even if it's not the same as mine.  I think that people who find religion important will understand how important it is to me.

I'm hoping to branch out at school a bit more this year.  I have often kept a lot of those relationships somewhat superficial, but there's no need.  For, if I want friends with school aged kids, I should look no further then my kids classrooms.

Work is also a great place for friends.  Again, they're spread out around the valley, blah-blah-blah...  Frankly, the problem's me.  I need to reach out.  I'm sure they love me.  Don't you think?

How have you met your friends?  Do you want to be my friend?  If so, please leave a 100 word or less essay on how much you like me and why you think you'd be a good friend.  Aerial font, please. :)

Back to the Yearbooks -- Tell Me That You Love Me

Finally made it through my senior year last night.  I don't think I've even cracked them for about 4 years, so it's brought back a lot of memories.

First off, once I could date, I was BOY. CRAZY.  Which, is amusing because no one was crazy over me til' college.  Then, perhaps a tad too crazy.  But I digress....  I think I took my obsessive need to obsess over things, and threw that into boys.  I don't think I really liked any of them, just the pursuit. :)  I do love a good pursuit, be it making the perfect loaf of bread, or making a boy find me so darn alluring.  Again, didn't happen til' college (so I should give myself some slack in the bread area).

But, those autographs, those are my favorites.  So many sweet compliements, I'm sure it made my head grow 10 feet!

It made me think how nice and neat high school was.  Those friends were pretty-well there!  Sure, a few moved, and we'd sing some sort of "friends are friends forever" type song and hold hands with them {sigh, seminary}.  But there are plenty of people who professed how great I am in my senior yearbook that I haven't seen since that day.  Some, I have befriended on facebook, but it's surely not the same as spending day in and day out with them.  Some of them I'd even spent since elementary school with!

But, life's not like that any more.  I don't have a single friend in CA that I can date myself to before August 2001 (when we moved there).  Most of them didn't start until well after that date (it took me quite a while to settle into my CA life, working full time, being away from home... I was miserable for a good year or two).  I consistently have friends moving into my heart and out of my area.  I was reading a journal a few months ago and in it I said at least I'll always have the Browns, Smiths, Howards, and Nguyens (names have been changed to protect the innocent, of course).  Every single one of those people has moved.

Every. single. one.

I've re-invented myself countless times there.  Searching for new friends that I can hold dear before they leave me.

But, that's not what this blog is about (but, 2 of my best friends are both leaving me within 2 months, nice...).  I was just thinking how nice it would be if we all carried around yearbooks.  I'd love to tell those friends how much they mean to me, how they've changed my life, how great they are before we part paths (them, saying they'll come visit plenty, and me knowing better), even just saying they are 2 cool 2 be 4 gotten. :)  I should do that, but things get in the way.  Mostly my kids, but it would be nice if they shoved a yearbook in my face that I could sign for them. :)

So, I'm dedicating this page to a yearbook of sorts.  Do you love me, do you miss me?  Of course you do.  If you write me a comment about the good times you miss with me, I'll do the same on your own blog.  Just like on my other blog entry, I also think we, as women and mothers, need more cheerleaders out there.  Maybe I will start carrying around a yearbook....  OK, no.  My diaper bag is full enough! :)

Flipping Through Time

I was looking at one of my high school yearbooks the other night.

I got to thinking as I saw all those long-ago familiar faces about how people grew-up and what were the indicators of if they'd be a "success" or not.  I am sure I measure a "success" in a different way then some people... and I don't really want to go into that now...

Was there something that you could see in faces that would show you how'd they be as adults.

The girl with the cold sore, was all that stress and pressure her parents put on her worthwhile?

The kids with goth tendancies, did that keep them from suceeding in life?

Were there parents that really made differences in their kids, and how can I do that?

Either way it's an interesting look through life.

I'm also always amused at what people say to me on their signatures in the book.  Lots about french (we had a winner of a french teacher my freshman year), band, and how funny I am.  Minus the french and that's still my life today.  Just not me in the band. :)

C-C-C-Conner

Wait?  TEN YEARS?  That makes an entire century of struggle behind me.  9 more and he'll be on a mission?  What's up with THAT?

Conner's had an interesting year, full of responsibility and loss (the jacket kind).  I just don't get him.  Sometimes he's just so darn grown-up, and then there's the other times, where he's as bad as P.

I guess that's the dichotomy of boy... it's even that way with my sweet husband.  Sometimes quite little, often when he's around legos... but a grown-up guy full of responsibility and willingness.

Boys, can't live with them, can't live without them.... :)

Back At The Museum

Ok, back to the Aquarium.

I was SO bugged, and no -- it wasn't all because of the flamingos...

Our kids!

Every screen, every button, that's all they wanted to do!  I found myself at the touch tank saying -- "TOUCH SOMETHING REAL, stop touching the computer" and of course, Spencer was too scared to do that, but finally I got him to brush the tip of his finger (possibly just the nail) over the top of a starfish.

They wanted to spend all their time at the computer screens, and none of it staring off into the great big blue of the tanks.

Now, some of that could be the fact this is our third trip this year (trying to get as much out of our memberships as we can).  We aren't headed back any time soon because I too have had my fill of the aquarium.

It made me think back to my youth.  I remember going to a Boston science museum, and there were so many "hands on" things!  I LOVED it.  I think museums have realized that kids love to touch and move stuff and sometimes be crazy (the aqarium even has a little play structure, and they were all BEGGING to use that. 

Drew and I were left to wonder why we didn't save the over 100 dollar membership and just stay home with our swingset and computer!

Sometimes I think all those hands on things get in the way of the real glory.  Staring at the giant kelp forrest, wondering what kind of a God could think up all those fish!  Of course, musuems have gotten more amazing at the same time. 

Even the day when we went to Gilroy Gardens a few weeks ago they were BEGGING to go on the playstructure.  I get why they're there and it's nice to pull P out of the stroller and let her roam a bit, but really?  We have a swing set at home, and a nice park we can walk to within minutes (and TONS we can drive to in 10).

It's making me re-think some of our field trips, and how we spend money around our kids.  I wonder if my dollar could make me happier dipping chocolate at La Fondue then it does hauling them to a new musuem. :)  It also made me want to take them aside before the next trip and ask them to find 5 amazing things.  And none of them can invole a handle you pull so a light goes on. :)

Do You Know the Way To Monterey...

Woah, woah, woah, woah, woah... (yes, I know it's Do You Know the Way to San Jose... but I'm a lyrical genius who would rather be in Monterey, and trust me, you'd rather be there too).


This last week's trip was to Monterey.  We adore Monterey, we love the drive there and it's just nice being there.  However, we usually do the aqarium, eat at Bubba Gumps and head home, but this time I wanted a new adventure.

We, of course, went to the aqarium.  That's probably a blog entry for another day.  Needless to say, we love the aquarium.  It's probably the best I've ever been to.  Was bugged by the fact their new flamingo exhibit hardly had a word about flamingos, and was instead about global warming... 


Maybe next year it will be about getting a massage, but I digress....


If you're in Monterey, you really should go there.  It's pricey though, I think it's almost 100 dollars for a visit for our family.


But, then we decided to try something new.  We went to a new restaurant, which was SO delicious and cheaper then the usual Bubba Fare (and lighter).  Also, by going there we didnt' end-up having to pay to park... nice.

Then instead of home we decided to head towards Pacific grove... and boy oh boy are we glad we did.  What a beautiful drive!

We stopped a few times, and Drew and the boys went down to the ocean climbing on rocks and watching the tide come in.

We also went to 17 mile drive, where the Pebble Beach golf course is (and you have to pay to drive it, stupid).  Wow.  That's a serious golf course!  The US Open is there this year.

I kept thinking about how nice it would have been to have just packed a lunch and ate it by the sea.  They have tons of picnic tables along the drive.  {sigh}

Isn't life grand, and isn't it amazing how money doesn't make it turn?  The drive was actually the best part of our day (although, I will also admit the bacon in my omelet was also amazing).  Sometimes a little gas money, and just being together is all that a person needs.  Also, a camera helps so you can capture some of the day's fun. :)

I Beg Your Partum

This last week I ended-up working partpartum one day. 

Honestly, when I get the assignment to go to postprtum initially I wan to die.  Just like anything new it's a lot to take in over there, and stuff I'm not as used to.  Plus, I don't have my usual buddies to hang with.  Luckily, I am super loveable, so they're pretty nice to me over there as well.

But, last week I'd come out of rooms just wanting to kill myself.  I was just so darn cheery! 

"Goddness, that baby is so adorable, you are so lucky!"
"Mom, you are doing an amazing job, I'm so proud of you!"
"You're gonna do great at this, don't stress yourself out."

But, that's what I love about post partum.  I think every mom could use a cheerleader, ESPECIALLY new moms.  That can be my job.  I want all moms to think they're amazing, that their baby is the best and brightest in the whole world and that they can DO THIS!!!!

Wouldn't you love someone to be your cheerleader?  I think, often, our own mothers are our cheerleaders (along with a healthy dose of happiness that we're finally suffering like they did).  Sometimes we have friends that are cheerleaders, and sometimes our friends do seem to be booing us down.  They know their kids are better then ours, or they're doing a better job (as if we don't have enough of that talk in our heads).  Church is a great place to find cheerleaders.  I feel so happy inside when one of the older moms says my kids are great.  I know they know what they're talking about and I hope they're honest (but either way I'm happy about it).

I also read a magazine article on compliements a few days ago.  They said that you'll feel better about yourself if you tell others great things about themselves.  I'm trying to take that to heart.  I have so many amazing friends, I'm lucky to be surrounded by good people, and I want people to know how lucky I think I am.

So, go you.  YOU are doing a great job.  You can do this, and you'll do it great. :) 

The Fourth

I just have to say, isn't the fourth of July an amazing holiday.  I must say it's a time I get very nostalgic for my childhood hometown.

The parades.

The Stadium of Fire (if you're really from happy valley, you're singing the themesong right now).  I remember watching Donny Osmond hang from a helicopter singing "We're Comin' To America".

The talks at the Marriot center about how lucky we are to live here and how God has blessed our country.

{Sigh}

It's just not the same here.  I think people enjoy our country, but we're not really PASSIONATE about it... and I'd have to say I'm one of them.  I love my country, I feel blessed to live here and so proud of our armed services....

I never really thought the Freedom Festival (which is actually AMERICA'S freedom festival, so feel free to visit) would be something I'd miss.  I don't, however, miss marching in that 100 degree parade with 20 pounds of polyester stuck to my sweaty body :).  But I do.

What did/are you going to do?

BTW, after searching long and hard for someone on youtube to have posted the stadium of fire theme song, I did come across this blog entry about the freedom festival with a pretty amusing video at the bottom.

WAIT, here it is! Themesong starts at 13 seconds...

Faith of a Child

Huh, maybe my children have too much faith.

Yesterday I even got overtime, and it looks like I'm headed in today as well.

Let's just say yesterday was ugly, not a fan of my job sometimes. 

Babies, babies everywhere.  So glad I don't have to take them home. ;)

Mirror Mirror on the Wall

I contimplated putting this on the workout blog, but I thought it'd fit here also.

I just got a mirror.  Nothing fancy,  in fact as un-fancy as they come, a 5 dollar Walmart special to go on the back of our bedroom door.

We haven't had one for years....

Not since we had Conner, actually...

And wow.

I've lost some weight.

Every now and then I get a glimpse in the mirror or what I look like now.  It's always a surprise.

I ditched the mirror when I moved here.  I was insanely unhappy with my life and yes, I gained 30 pounds, and I was left clueless because I had no scale and no mirrors that showed below my waist.

That isn't to say that I think people should obssess with mirrors and scales, but you need to keep a perspective of what your lifestyle is doing to yourself.

I didn't, but I do now!

Of course, dieting in the summer is a complete drag, but I'm trying to pull through, and make it work for me.   In the meantime I will no longer need to jump to see if I like my skirt with my top. :)