Tardy Thanksgiving

Lately, the idea of sitting at the computer for longer than 30 seconds is quite laughable. Almost instantly I'm a human jungle gym. Or I'm guilted into feeling neglectful because I turned my attention from Sir W. Oh the horror.  (sarcasm)  


Consequently, the expected daily thanksgiving didn't happen. However, I have not failed to find things to be thankful for along the way. I did make an effort to pointedly appreciate something every day.  Or maybe a few in one day to make up.


In all seriousness, I am thankful for many things.  Like...

• people who help me wrastle two babes at church
• waking up to W reading outside my door (as opposed to him running in screaming, "Miwk, mommy!  Miwk!")
• W learning feelings, what it means to be sad, and feeling empathy for his screaming, teething sister
• working together outside; E on a blanket, W using a stick-turned-blower, D cleaning gutters and I raking leaves
• rolls that turn out perfectly, twice!
• W giving me a hug and telling me he loves me after reading I Love You, Stinkyface
• peppermint pretzels from Trader Joe's
• spending time just with Lizzy
• flowers
• being part of a family who can and will pull it together for each other
• sisters
• a hard-working hubs who changes the oil in my car and cleans up dinner
• mindless movies
• DVR (and mindless TV)
• church callings that teach me even when I don't want to be taught
• good health
• trust
• watching Lizzy reach milestones at light speed
• hearing D call Lizzy "baby doll"
• my dad who returned home safely (from Afghanistan!  nbd, right?)
• chaotic family pictures
• Lizzy giving great-grandparents each a hug before leaving
• good haircuts (sorry W, you never seem to get one)
• a certain two-year-old's imagination and the conversations he can have with a mini Buzz and Woody
• dual bathtimes
• W's seemingly indestructible body and endless energy
• cousins:  mine and my children's
• happy babies who love each other
• a fun week with MaMom

Grandpa

Jack Richard Lane

My sweet grandpa Lane passed away last week.  We were fortunate to be able to find tickets to get us to Utah in time to be with family during the viewing and funeral, as well as Thanksgiving.  

The funeral was such a nice tribute to the gap-toothed man who healed many and sacrificed much for his family.  Grandpa always made me laugh -- whether he was checking the alignment of my hips or cursing at one of his many "damn dogs."  While giving adjustments, he was known to say, "Take a deep breath. Now blow it out your ears."  He was a dapper man, always dressing to the nines.  He always said what was on his mind, and was always so excited to see or hear from his grandchildren.  I am lucky to have a grandpa like him.  

His one request was to have someone sing the song, "On a Clear Day" at his funeral.  I had never heard the song before, but a trio of women from my street pulled together a beautiful, beautiful rendition of the song.  

On a clear day

Rise and look around you

And you'll see who you are.

On a clear day

How it will astound you

That the glow of your being

Outshines every star.

You'll feel part of every mountain, sea and shore

You can hear

From far and near

A word you've never, never heard before...

And on a clear day...

On a clear day...

You can see forever...

And ever

And ever

And ever more.

The song was the perfect way to show how sensitive, kind and thoughtful Grandpa was.

W is becoming more and more aware of feelings and emotions.  It was so sweet to see him react to and console me and others who were sad during this time.  It's amazing how much he can understand and how kindly he can empathize with and comfort.  

I am happy my grandpa is no longer struggling so hard to live, and instead enjoying the eternal progression of things in heaven with his deceased daughter Kathy and other loved ones who had passed away.  I know I will see him again some day, and I am thankful to have the knowledge of life continuing after we leave this earth.  

Love you, Grandpa.  

Above water

a couple of weeks ago I was playing phone tag with my sister.  it had been a particularly challenging day and the thought of staying in bed all day with the lights out and the door shut was all i could think to do.  quite honestly, this was the closest to feelings of depression i have ever felt.
when i finally got a hold of my sister to discuss something probably not entirely important, i couldn't keep feelings in.  our conversation turned into much less about the initial topic and more about talking me off the ledge.  my sweet, sweet sister.  thank you.  thank you for being there.
i was able to pull myself together enough to get off the phone and lie on the couch.  D got home with a bag of Trader Joe's peppermint pretzels and i ate my feelings for the rest of the night.
the following day, a mysterious, unmarked van showed up at my house.  i was hesitant to answer the door.  so glad i did.  beautiful sunflowers greeted me along with this friendly gentleman.  i about fell apart in the foyer.  he probably gets that a lot.
my same precious sister sent some literal sun my way with words that restored my destroyed self-confidence and depleted energy.
thank you, mag-lite.  you're the best.

The hand that feeds you

W feeding E.  Too cute.

Imagination

His imagination is really going these days.

He flew around the house all morning in his "Buzz rocket ship" and fireman boots.

Love this.

WF&P Rail Road

We visited the WF&P Rail Road a couple of weeks ago.  It's basically this mini train that works just like a regular steam engine train.  It runs on mini tracks, has mini cars, blows mini steam and toots its mini horn; perfect for a little boy.  We caught the train on a perfect Fall afternoon and rode through the woods and along the river through the beautiful, colorful leaves.

The train engineers are all volunteers.  It seems to be a sort of generational thing passed down from father to son.

The whole operation seemed a little backwoods-ish (no "keep your arms and legs inside the train," we were free to get on and off the train at any stop but we couldn't expect much notice as to when it would start up again), but it was fun, nonetheless.

Halloween 2011

For the past 3+ weeks, W greeted people with a, "Hi!  I'm a fireman!" -- all spoken in an excited, boisterous (read:  loud!) voice.  His fireman dreams came true over the almost week of Halloween festivities.

We attended Papa and SheShe's ward trunk-or-treat, our ward trunk-or-treat, went to Dave's office, visited the real firemen at the fire station (post coming soon), plus did the actual trick-or-treating on Halloween.  As expected, W had no problem picking up the "Trick-or-treat, please!" routine, so he had no trouble acquiring more candy than I know what to do with.  We are on sugar overload just due to how much is in the house, let alone what's been consumed.
I have to admit, these two are the cutest fireman and pumpkin I've ever seen.

 {carving the "mama punk" and "baby punk" pumpkins with MaMom}

{baby punk}

{Mary Poppins and "baby punk" Lizzy}

 {W and his friend Alex}

Photo Series: W becomes a fireman

W's life became exponentially better on Halloween.  Aside from getting more candy than any child needs, we made a stop by the local fire station.  W will never be the same.

The firemen were over-the-top nice.  They were so flattered and accommodating to us and our unannounced visit.  They were thrilled to see W in his fireman costume and they were so impressed by its "authenticity."  The firemen showed him around the fire engine and their fire suits.  Then -- then!-- they pulled him up into the front seat of the fire truck on one of the firemen's lap, started it up, and let him drive it out into the station's driveway.  He honked the horn and pressed the foot pedal siren.    

 And if that wasn't enough, then they pulled out the fire hose and let him shoot water.  Really?!  

W was beside himself.  He had no words.  He just followed directions and stared blankly.  I think he was in shock.  But once he got back in the car and came to, he went nuts.  It was the greatest thing that has ever happened to this little two-year-old boy.  He still hasn't stopped talking about it. 

EVR: Seven Months

Lizzy girl turned seven months old on Halloween.  Her current status:

• nearly crawling; should be any day now, but I'm not encouraging it
• getting to sitting position on her own
• lots of dental activity; all four teeth on top are coming through, plus another one (for total of three) on the bottom (gasp!)
• moving, moving, moving; she can't seem to hold her legs still, but prefers to kick, kick, kick at all times
• smiley as can be
• inhaling with excitement (I need to get this on camera)
• weighing way too much to carry around in her car seat anymore
• eating more green vegetables in last four weeks than W has in his entire life
• loving foods; eats yogurt, peas, beans, fruits, rice crackers, breads
• pulling hair, pinching skin, grabbing on to everything
• jumping/bouncing up and down
• pointing toes, curling feet and showing just how flexible she is
• saying lots of mamama/dadada/wawawa/bababa

Love you, baby girl.