The Moments...

Quite the historic week..

• Andrew sat and watched the inaguration with me and then proudly told his preschool teacher, " Miss Angie, did you know it was a very special day today? Do you want to know why? Barak Obama became the President of United States? Do you know why I know that? It's because there were no cartoons on today."


• We finally got the garden planted. I realized quickly on Zachary was not going to be on the preferred list of helpers for this project. I had to plant in two minute shifts- I'd dash outside when he was distracted and plant the squash... then here comes my little helper.... distract him outside with something....mad dash to plant the cucumbers....mama mama mama.... oh quick distract him again.... Now if something actually grows it will be a miracle, we have yet to get things to grow and we are going on year four here. But it is always fun to try.


• I put a sweater on this morning. I know many would give their right arm to go out in just a sweater at this time of year. But honestly, the January heat of 80 degrees is a little much, so I relish the days that I can put on one of my two warm sweaters!


• Skype... what more can I say when I can talk to my sister or the kids to their grandparents and we can see each other. Even Zachary will wave to Jenny on the computer now. It helps heal the miles and the time we don't see each other.
  
• Realizing Heavenly Father is aware of my needs ( even though at times I am not aware of it) I was released as Primary President in December- it had been 3 1/2 years, and I have really struggled with going to Relief Society the last month. I was called as a Temple Prep teacher in December ( which I really enjoy), but yesterday I was called to be the Stake Nursery Leader. I am very excited to be back in Primary! ( I honestly didn't think I would ever be at a point to admit this)


• Steam Cleaners. I love my steam cleaner. My floors for two minutes are spotless. I don't have to use chemicals and everything is comes out beautiful.


• Brandon scored a basket in his game.


• We made it through a dinner out with all the kids without it becoming a hair-pulling nightmare. Taking the kids out really isn't bad if we don't have Z-man, but he just adds that one-year-old-can't-sit-still element which frankly generally ends up in a frustrating outing and the glance between Brian and I of why-did-we-just-do-this-to-ourselves look.
  
• Brian's perspective. I generally have had enough of Zachary by 4:30- he is just whiny, clingy and screamy for a good part of the day. But Brian reminds me if this is the worst of my trials right now- then I should be one grateful mother. I agree.
  

Here's some pictures of the into everything 1 year old:

The moments

• Dancing in the kitchen with Zachary in my arms with the music turned up way too loud, his peels of laughter mixing effortlessly with the music and his little hands always trying to grab mine indicating his desire for one more polka around the island!


• Its 80 degrees and we went for a swim in Dawn's heated pool.


• Hopefully finding a reason why Brandon continues to get headaches and migranes more often than the average 9 year old. The prescription in his glasses needs a major change (even though he just got them 9 mos ago!)


• A gas powered leaf blower- we spent Saturday cleaning up the yard- all that muck that gets stuck in the rocks. gone. hallelujah.


• we didn't have to get up early and make lunches this morning. I am learning to love these days off more and more.


• The Cardinals won. We're proud to admit we are fair weather Cardinals fans just like the other 6.5 million residents of AZ.


• Watching the boys try to run their own football plays in the backyard.


• Matthew said he wanted to be Kurt Warner in response to our Table Topic for Sunday evening. ( What famous athlete would you like to be?)


• a loving husband who has taken care of me all week after passing on a nasty cold, which somehow exponentially got worse when I got it- and I just can't shake it.

Joyful moments

• Realizing some of the characteristics we are attempting to instill in our children are actually making it there. Andrew has been quietly doing nice things for others in the family this week. This child who can be a serious rascal also has an enormous heart and empathy at a young age. He came up to me this morning and said, " do you have to make your bed this morning?" Yes, I replied. " No you don't, " came his sweet voice, " I made it for you, so you know I love you."
• The goodness of my children's Primary teachers. We were able to have an enjoyable and intelligent conversation over dinner regarding what they had learned yesterday. Thank you Angie, Brad, Susan and Adrienne- what you teach stays with them.
• I recieved a package addressed just to me- usually packages are to my kids, especially when the return zip code is 11733 ( NY). Included in the envelope were two CD filled with some of the most glorious music, curtosey of my dad- the man who has the most diverse and extensive audio collection around. Magnificent sounds have filled the air the last two days. At times, yes I would even consider it heavenly.
• The three words every wife loves to hear, " Let's get takeout" --- what did you think I was going to say :-)
• Zachary's face when the washing machine starts- I wish everyone was as excited as he is about laundry. ( including me)
• Matthews quiet arm pump when he made his first basket in his basketball game.
• The faces of accomplishment as the boys learned to ride thier rollerblades down a hill.
• Two fabulous desserts I made for a Bishopric Dinner, curtosy of thepioneerwoman.com; it was very satisfying to actually make something that turned out right! The chocolate pie and Peach Crisp come highly recommended by our house!

Joyful moments

One of my New Years Resolutions is to keep a better record of what happens in our loud, noisy and fun house. So many times I tell myself -oh you should write this down.... ( yes I know we have all said this to ourselves many times) so in an attempt to keep this resolution... the following post and those to come over the coming weeks and year are mostly for me ( just so it is written somewhere)

• After sitting in NY traffic only going 10 miles in an hour and a half and haivng a panic attack in the back of the car thinking we were going to have to litterally run to get on the plane we found out the plane was delayed an hour and a half. We could feed the kids dinner and tire them out just a bit more.
• Zachary is trying to perfect the art of dunking cookies in milk. I found him trying to dunk his cookie in the toilet. Thankfully it was clean and the soggy cookie never made it to his mouth.
• Only three of us got the flu this week; not all six.
• Brian cleaned the bathrooms and kitchen floor. Enough said.
• I didn't have to plan or show up at the Primary Activity on Saturday, I could just drop my kids off like every other parent.
• Taking Brandon to the grocery store with me. It doesn't happen very often that we get to spend one on one time like that very often.
• Spending time with the Perkins on New Years Eve- we thoroughly enjoy their family and wonder why we get so caught up in the mundane that we don't spend more time together.
• Being together with my family- since it isn't a common occurance- it is good when it happens
• Seeing Dad laugh uncontrollably at the greatest Pax De Duex Christmas Present
• Watching the boys jump in piles of leaves they had raked up- thier faces were all aglow- red cheeks and huges smiles as they went soaring into the leaves.
• Playing in the snow.
• Realizing the magic of Christmas is still alive.