Third Time's the Charm

A few years ago, I was sitting with my friend on the steps outside my Wymount apartment. We were chatting about having children. At the time, I had my two girls and my friend's third child was several months old. She commented that sometimes she wished she had been married sooner, so she could have a lot of children. I had recently gone through some tough times related to having babies and wasn't sure I could handle more than the two I had--so I couldn't share that thought process. And, as I talked with her, a thought came to me. People who have more than two kids must really love kids.

At the time Kallie was 3 and Whitney was 1 1/2. While they were still young, it seemed that there was still plenty of "me" time. I was able to sleep through the night and get up and exercise each morning. I also had time to accomplish various projects and get the apartment clean. Watching my friend, (who really is a great mom--I still look up to her!), it seemed that she was involved with kids from dawn until dusk. I remember her saying she wanted to get up early in the morning before the kids woke--and all I could think was, "Your baby just started sleeping through the night! Give yourself a break!" To be quite honest, I wasn't sure that I enjoyed children and/or parenting enough to enjoy a third child. For the record, I really love my kids--I just wasn't sure I loved children enough in general to make that difficult jump to three.

Now that I actually have three, my theory stands true in my own life. My days are filled from dawn to dusk with mothering. My children have become my most important project. Of course, they were important before--but most free time is now filled with children. Having a third child has been the easiest transition yet. I find myself wanting so many of the same things my friend expressed to me that afternoon. I would love to have a houseful of children and those early morning hours seem like the best time to wake and prepare for the day ahead. There isn't a lot of time for projects. Some have been put on hold indefinitely. And, my "me" time has significantly decreased. But, this doesn't bother me at all. To everything there is a season--and there is no better time than now to enjoy being a mother--to throw myself into it heart and soul and soak it up as much as possible.

Post-Script:
Just for the record, this doesn't mean I never have bad days. I've been reflecting on embracing motherhood the past couple of days and these have been my thoughts. And, one more thing, I understand that the number of children you are able to have doesn't mean you do or don't love mothering. This is just the learning process that I have experienced on the path of my own motherhood.

The eyes have it...

We've been sickies for the past week at our house. The cold symptoms have hit some of us harder than others...and Whitney is still bearing the brunt of it. She's so sick that you can still see it in her eyes. (Come to think of it, she's the only one on antibiotics. Strange.) Anyway--because of this, I've let the girls watch a movie in the morning the past few days to keep Whitney resting so she can get over this darn cold!

This morning, Whitney requested "Lost Nemo." I took advantage of the time to put the baby to bed and send out a few e-mails. I came downstairs when there was about 30 min. left in the movie. Kallie turned to me and said, "Mom, I was so happy that I got tears in my eyes."

"Why?"

"Because we are a family forever."

We are. And, that makes me so happy that it gives me tears in my eyes, too.

The Crock Pot Conundrum

I got a crock pot as a wedding gift. Yes, it was really given to us, but I think everyone understands why I say I got it.

It's one of the gifts I've used the most in the past 6 years. And, let me tell you, I love that thing to pieces. Literally. Both handles have fallen off and there's something rattling around inside...maybe a screw? Maybe a plastic handle-connecting piece? It still works great--but the whole rattling thing makes us uneasy.

I'm sure you can imagine my excitement last Christmas when I opened a shiny new crock pot! I no longer feel the need to wince when I plug it in for fear that somehow, that screw was going to lodge itself in a precarious spot and cause a catastrophe upon connection with an electical source. The new one is completely intact and rattle-free! I love my new crock pot. And, it has already slow-cooked many delicious meals for us. But, one problem still remains.

When I put something into the crock pot, it's usually early in the day and I'm not really very hungry. However, right around lunch time, delicious aromas begin to sneak out from under the glass lid covering the enormous stoneware pot. Those aromas then seek me out, wherever I happen to be, and wriggle their way up into my olfactories. And I think it's going to be a great dinner.

By the time lunch rolls around, I'm unconsciously in the mood for whatever is simmering away in the crock. So, I usually end up putting together a little of this and a little of that for lunch, because this and that would really hit the spot. And, I eat lunch. And it does hit the spot.

It's only after lunch that I realize what I ate involves the same ingredients that are bubbling away in the crock pot. I'm one who doesn't like to eat the same thing twice in a row. Even two days in a row is pushing it for me. And, suddenly, dinner doesn't sound so great anymore.

The Cook-Off

Remember how I said I had a million posts to post? Well, this is one of those.

Back in October, our ward held a chili cook-off in conjunction with a Halloween party. I make good chili, but mine is really nothing to brag about. So, I decided not to enter. Ryan, on the other hand, has been dabbling more in the kitchen and decided to enter. He found a recipe on Allrecipes.com (Boilermaker Chili), went shopping, and put it all together. We ended up with a stock pot FULL of chili--but it was the best chili I'd ever tasted. Heavy on the meat with just enough heat to give it a nice kick, but not enough to merit the title of "This will burn your entire digestive track." (1000 times better than "Darn Good Chili" from Bear Creek Soup. The name used to be "Damn Good Chili," but they either changed the recipe or realized all those Mormons in Utah weren't buying the chili because of the foul language on the packaging.)

As the judges were deliberating near the serving table, we kept hearing them mention a certain number. I wasn't sure which number was assigned to our pot, but Ryan was pretty sure it was ours. And, if I'm honest, other chilis were good--just not with the depth of flavor that ours had.

Sure enough, when the winner was announced, it was Ryan! He won an apron along with bragging rights until the next chili cook-off. I've wondered for a long time if there was anything Ryan doesn't succeed at. With this accomplishment, I'm starting to realize that there really is nothing he can't do!

Clayton's Blessing

Well, now that it's been over 2 months since Clayton was blessed, I thought I'd finally post about it. Really, it just took me that long to get the pics downloaded to my computer.

Isn't he the cutest little guy? The morning of his blessing was a little hectic for me. (Details in this post.) But, Clayton was a little trooper. He was very calm all morning--he ate when I needed him to, slept when I needed him to, and even smiled when I needed him to. And, I think he is my first kid to not scream right before/after taking pics. He did fuss a little (a very little) just as Sacrament meeting was starting. I stood at the back and rocked him and he was asleep within a couple of minutes. Ryan gave Clayton a beautiful blessing. It talked a lot about missionary work and sharing his testimony. I am profoundly grateful that my husband is able to bless my children. And, I'm also incredibly grateful for such a sweet little boy!

Electricity vs. Fire

Six years ago, at this time of year, Ryan and I were in the midst of falling in love. (Now that I think about it, we're still in the midst of falling in love.) :) We started dating November 21 and were engaged on January 24. My entire life, I wanted a Christmas/winter romance--and that's what I got. Happy memories are constantly coming to mind during this season and I can't help but think about what has brought us to this point.

Recently, I read a book that was a little more on the romance side than I generally prefer. I am NOT a romance novel fan. Some of you are shocked by this. In thinking about the story line of the book and comparing it to the story line of my life, I realized there's a big difference between electricity and fire.

When I was in college, I dated one guy and I felt actual electricity when he was around. It was so strong that I was suprised there weren't little blue sparks shooting around me when he was around. While it was fun, the electricity wasn't enough to spark a real romance and we broke up after about 6 weeks. You see, electricity is something that can be started with a switch. It doesn't take much effort to flip a light switch on...or off, for that matter. Once the light is on, there's not a lot I have to do to keep it going. Until the lightbulb burns out. Or until I decide I'm done with that room, turn off the light, and move on.

On the other hand, what I felt when I started dating Ryan had nothing to do with sparks. It was all about warmth and depth. It's really hard to explain the feeling, but it felt like the glow of a small fire inside of me. The more that I spent time with Ryan, the bigger and warmer the fire grew. Here's the thing--starting a fire takes effort. There are certain steps that need to be taken to stack the kindling and wood in preparation for a roaring fire. And, once it's going, it takes work and effort to keep it going. You have to stack the wood, rearrange the wood, and keep the water away. If a fire is neglected, it will eventually die out on its own. Even when doused with water, you have to stir the embers and check for hot spots before you can be sure it's out.

I'm not sure what made the difference between the sparks I felt with some and the fire I felt from the beginning with Ryan. What I am sure of is that I have the most amazing husband I could have ever hoped for. On these growing-ever-colder winter nights, the fire of his love still warms my heart.

A Good Quote

I was reading a few articles this morning and found a quote that I really like. Here it is:

Latter-day Saint women should understand that no matter how many other people they enlist to help them with their home and children, they cannot delegate their role as the primary nurturer and teacher of their families. Righteous motherhood will always stretch every reserve they have to meet the needs of their families. As a daughter of God who has made covenants with Him, each of you carries the vital and indispensable female half of the responsibility for fulfilling the Lord’s plan.

Each of you has the agency to prayerfully and humbly choose how to approach your career opportunities. Every choice has a consequence. You cannot have everything and do everything. You must choose with eternal priorities in mind. I would hope that you will understand that there are no glamorous careers. Every form of employment has its own innate challenges. Many choices available in the world today compete with eternal goals and responsibilities. Many choices could persuade you to delay or limit the number of children you invite into your family. Many choices could rob you of critical time and energy necessary to adequately care for your spouse, your children, and your responsibilities in the Lord’s kingdom. These decisions are between you and the Lord. He knows the desires of your heart and your unique situation.

Julie B. Beck, Unlocking the Door to the Blessings of Abraham, CES Fireside, March 2, 2008

Holiday Wish List: Sleigh of Gifts

I was recently alerted about the amazing giveaway on todaysmama.com. The gifts are all amazing and I just can't pass up a chance! Here's my entry:

Mama’s Holiday Wish List Meme

TodaysMama and Provo Craft are giving away a sleighful of gifts this holiday season and to enter I’m sharing this meme with you.

1. What 5 items are on your holiday wish list this year? Crock-Pot, purse, grill pan, Willow Tree Nativity, clothes
2. What is your favorite handmade gift you have received? My mission angel quilt
3. What handmade gift have you always wanted to tackle? Definitely a quilt--I even have the pattern all picked out. Just need the time.
4. What was the best Christmas gift you received as a child? Opal ring. I was 16--does that count as being a child still?
5. What items are on your kid’s wish list this year? Kallie wants a bike and a pink trumpet. Whitney wants anything baby/princess related. Clayton wants...hmm...to try solid foods?
6. What is your favorite holiday food? Any homemade goodies the neighbors drop off. I love trying new things!
7. What will you be hand-crafting for the holidays? Not sure--at least 10 cards for the card swap. Maybe a few items related to Whitney's wish list.
8. What is your favorite holiday movie? Meet Me in St. Louis; Elf
9. Favorite holiday song? Oh Holy Night
10. Favorite holiday pastime? Rolling the ball (family tradition); caroling with friends

My Favorite Things

I've been thinking about this post a lot lately. There are so many things I use that I completely enjoy--and I decided I'd post about them, just in case someone else could like them as much as I do! Here's the list, (not in any particular order):

1. Cetaphil Cream - This cream has been a LIFESAVER for all three of my children. My love for this began when Kallie got baby acne so badly that her face was crusty and oozing. The Dr. told me to use Aquaphor--which didn't make one bit of difference. A mom from my ward recommended Cetaphil Cream (not the lotion, but the cream in the jar) and as soon as I found it, the acne cleared up immediately. With both Whitney and Clayton, I headed the acne off by using this cream before it could even get going. It's the best stuff ever! (And, I love to use it on my dry, post-pregnancy skin, too.)

2. My Brest Friend Nursing Pillow - Where was this thing when I had Kallie? This is the greatest nursing pillow of all time. Instead of a rounded pillow, like the Boppy, this pillow is made from squared off foam so the baby doesn't roll out or in. And, it has a buckle so I can strap it around my body. I love this feature! It's very supportive and extremely helpful when Clayton has to eat on the run, meaning I'm running around the house taking care of my 2 other kiddos. Everyone I've talked to about "My Brest Friend" has shared the same appreciation for it as I have. Not to mention, the women's center at the hospital where Clayton was born ONLY sells "My Brest Friend." They stopped selling the Boppy because it just wasn't as good for nursing moms.

3. Nature's Valley Roasted Almond Granola Bars - I've always been a fan of Nature Valley's crunchy granola bars. And, I love the flavor of almonds. So, what could be more delicious than those 2 things combined? They're my new favorite snack. I have to ration them to myself. (I just saw on their website that there's also a "Pecan Crunch" flavor. Haven't tried them, but those could also be a favorite thing!)

4. Scentsy - I love my Scentsy warmers and bars! For those who aren't aware of what these are, they are a wickless candle which is melted in a warmer powered by a low-watt lightbulb. The bars come in amazing scents and you can change out your scent any time you want. I recently got a plug-in warmer for my Master bathroom. It makes my bathroom and bedroom (and the entire upstairs) smell heavenly! (P.S. If you're interested in Scentsy, let me know--I plan to host a Scentsy party soon...)

5. Kirkland Diapers - Ryan calls me a diaper snob. When Kallie was born, we tried every possible brand of diapers that was out there. And, I hated them all, (yes ALL), except Pampers Swaddlers or Pampers Cruisers. They simply had all of the features that I liked. However, once I tried Costco's Kirkland brand, I was hooked. They have most of the features that I loved about the Pampers, but aren't as expensive as the name brands. Since that time, we have been loyal to the Kirkland Diapers. I was thrilled when they came out with their size 1-2 box, which wasn't available with my first 2 kids.

6. The Books of Bayern- This book series, written by Shannon Hale, includes "The Goose Girl," "Enna Burning," and "River Secrets." All three books provide a wonderful escape. While I have enjoyed all the Shannon Hale books I've read so far, (some more, some less), this series tops the list. Apparently, there's another book in the Bayern series that recently came out called, "Forest Born." Haven't read it yet--but I'm pretty sure I'm going to like it. Another Shannon Hale favorite? Book of a Thousand Days. Right up there with the Books of Bayern.

7. Cook n' Serve Tortillas - When I was a missionary, one of the popular things to do in my mission was to make our own tortillas. They were easy to throw together, but required a lot of rolling. And, our circles never turned out quite right. When I came home, I made them a few times, but they lost their appeal, since it was just easier to buy them. A few years ago, we discovered the Cook n' Serve tortillas at Costco. (Costco itself should be on this list.) It was the freshness and flavor of the homemade tortillas combined with the ease of buying them from the store. We will never go back to pre-cooked tortillas again!

8. Sotto Voce - The first time Ryan and I went to Pike Place Market 5 1/2 years ago, I discovered a store called "Sotto Voce." They sell gourmet flavored olive oils along with all sorts of vinegars. Each olive oil is infused with garlic, then various herbs are added in to the glass bottle enhance the flavor. Not only are they delicious, they are beautiful! I love to add mine to just about anything I'm cooking or sauteing--and I'll even use it to dip bread in every once in a while. It's something I just can't get enough of.

9. Paperbackswap.com - I first heard about the Paperback Swap a few years ago while I was living in Wymount. At the time, I didn't think I wanted to part with any of my books. However, as I sat staring at my bookshelf a few weeks ago, I realized there were books on there that I didn't care if I ever read again. So, I joined the swap. You begin by listing your books (usually by ISBN number) on their website. Once someone requests your book, you wrap it up and mail it off to the requester. When they receive it, they inform the website and you earn one credit. Each credit is good for one book. The books must be in good condition--no highlighting or marking and you are responsible for paying the shipping, (which is usually $2.38, since they're shipped via media mail). It's a great way to get rid of books you're not planning to read again and find a few that you would like to read. I've already mailed off 2 books and requested one. It's a great way to recycle those old books!

10. The Children's Place - I have loved this place for a few years now. I'm pretty sure I've posted about them before. Their customer service is awesome! And, they have a birthday club that sends you a 15% off coupon in the month of your birth, as well as the month of birth of each of your kids. It's good for the entire month, online or in their store. And, you can use the coupon on sale items as well. Plus, shipping is only $5 from their website. Depending on how close you live to one, that's cheaper than gas! (FYI--Grandparents also qualify for the birthday club.)

So--there is my list. It's not comprehensive, just a few of my current favorite things. My challenge to you now is to think about your favorite things and post a list on your blog! I always have room for a few more faves.

Christmas Card Swap!

Every year, Kids' Craft Weekly (kidscraftweekly.com) hosts a Christmas card swap. The deal is that your kids make 10 cards and mail them to other families around the world. In turn, you receive 10 cards from around the world. We participated two years ago--and it was a lot of fun! We received cards from Brazil, the U.S., and Australia. The main rule is that your kids have to make the cards and it's preferred that they're mailed out by December 1. The cards we received were not ornate or complicated in any way. And, it's especially fun for your kids to get some mail of their own. Anyway--I know a lot of moms I know would like to do something like this--so head over to their website and check it out! (And, P.S. the 10 cards really don't take long to make!)