After Thanksgiving Adventure

Before I get into what we did the Friday after Thanksgiving, I feel like I should give a shout out to Aaron and Marie to hosting a lovely feast at their house. They have two babies and a toddler so instead of asking them to come to our house, we went to them. A casual, yummy afternoon with food, family and fun games.

The next day, we were invited to join a family friend to go to a rock climbing gym in Portland where we could climb with ropes (the climbing gym in Salem boasts no such appeal). We headed up in the morning, and had so much fun. 

Matthew and I had all sorts of fun climbing. I am ready to go back any day. I was a bit surprised that after the kids' successful climbing this summer they didn't get higher, but they sadly, quickly got blisters, going to have to figure out a solution for that, and were done. Eventually Matthew and I tired out as well and we left to get lunch and further our day out.

The next stop after lunch was Powell's. It feels like we were just there, but if you are going into Portland, you kind of have to - especially since we always need new books to read together as a family.

And then it was over to Moonstruck for shakes before heading back to Salem.

Last stop on the adventure day was a game store. Matthew got a new game and Dude discovered Magic cards. It's not something I want him to get into since I have heard stories of boys spending way too much money investing in them so I told him as much. Later that night Matthew and I received a contract from him asking us to let him spend his money any way he sees fit. After careful review, some discussion as a couple and with him, we amended the contract to add that before he makes any purchase we might not agree with he must consider our reasons against it. With that edit, all parties signed and dated and we now have a much happier child.

It was a big day with way too much money spent, but a fun day I would love see made a new tradition for the day after Thanksgiving.

We also had tons of fun hanging out with Matthew's brother Michael. It was a fun treat having him all to ourselves for the day.

The Magic of Christmas is Dead

At least for Dude.

It all started a few months ago when I bought some stocking stuffers at the mall and carelessly left them in the back of my car and the kids found them. Dude became very suspicious and asked too many questions which were ultimately deflected with "if you continue to ask questions, it will all be returned." They eventually got relocated to the top of my closet but were again found when he went searching for the Halloween candy I purchased for our trunk or treat. Questions were again asked and again deflected, this time with, "do you really want to ruin Christmas?"

After that episode Matthew and I started discussing how long children hold on to their belief in Santa Claus. We have never promoted Santa, but we have also not come out and told our children He's not real. Basically, we have promoted total neutrality on the subject and let our kids believe whatever they wanted. It's not that I'm anti-Santa, I'm mostly just lazy and don't want to go through all the extra work to encourage that belief system. I also have a fundamental hesitancy with lying to my children, even in the name of childhood magic. But no matter what I have done or not done, what they decided on between the two of them is that Santa brings what's in their stockings. Ok, by me. If they wanted to give Santa credit for goldfish crackers, candles, slime, and whatever else Matthew and I can find in Target a week or two before Christmas, I could handle that.

But with the attention drawn to already purchased stocking stuffers, I knew it was only a matter of time before it all unraveled. And then came my careless remark to my sister-in-law while driving to the pool. I mentioned that I had bought a tie for Dude and had asked Matthew if we should include it in his stocking. Somehow Luca wasn't paying attention (to engrossed playing with her 2-year old cousin), but Dude for sure was.

"Wait, what? Do you put everything in our stockings Mom?" he asked from the backseat of the car.

I thought about it for a moment and then decided on the truth, "yes."

"Mom, are you pulling my leg? Do you really put everything in our stockings?"

"yes"

Still not sure he completely believes me he tells me he will be paying very close attention this year.

When we got home I went to tell Matthew of our conversation in the car. Matthew was glad that I was the culprit and not him and commented that it was probably for the best. And then I heard Dude on the other side of the door, "I heard that!" Double whammy.

Dude was on the verge of tears for the rest of the night. I tried getting him to talk to me, but despite a quivering chin he was bound and determined to hold it together and not discuss it. Not with me, not with anyone. He's awful at keeping secrets but he managed to keep this one to himself.

The next morning I finally pulled him into my room where he confessed that the magic of Christmas was dead for him but that he couldn't ruin his sister's childhood the way I had ruined his. Honestly, as sad as I was for him at that moment, I was also incredibly proud of him. I'm not sure I've ever seem him act so compassionately toward his sister and they have a really good relationship.

The following week while his sister was at a playdate, I asked him if I had completely ruined Christmas for him. "No," he said, "just the stocking part." I was relieved, again, stockings are really low key items. I proceeded to tell him that now that he knows he gets to have input on what goes into his stocking. He immediately forgot all about being sad. I showed him the treat he already discovered twice (a set of 4 Harry Potter Lego brickheads) and let him pick out which ones he wanted in his stocking. He also requested specialty candy canes.

A week ago he was absolutely devastated. Now, there is not only no trace of heartbreak, I have found a new way to bond with my son. Every time he brings up Christmas and Santa to his sister, he does so with a conspiratorial wink to me. It is so funny and endearing. I love this sweet boy of mine.

Phillip's Quilts

Back in February, when all of Phillip's family was in town for his funeral, his oldest daughter asked if I would make her a quilt using her father's dress shirts. I felt honored to do this for her. My sister-in-law, Phillip's widow, then asked that if there was excess material, and if I had the time, would I make quilts for the rest of her children. Again, of course. I was then, and still feel so grateful to be able to use my talents in this way.

They are done and have been received so I feel at liberty to post them here.

Caitrin's quilt. These started with her. And this is one of the patterns she chose. I especially love how I incorporated the pockets at the top and quilted around them so they could be usable.

Madalyn's quilt. As I was making Caitrin's these blocks became extraneous. I couldn't think of a better use for them than to make a sister quilt for her sister.

Conner's quilt. I cut out a bunch of blocks and sewed them together, cut them up and found a fun way to sew them back together.

Parker's quilt. Just as Madalyn's was the sister quilt to Caitrin's, this is the sister/brother quilt to Conner's. Same idea, different design. I kind of love the similarities in either set of quilts.

Brenner's quilt. After 4 quilts I finally ran out of dress shirt material. That's ok, Phillip's polos hold special significance for Brenner so it was only fitting that the special miracle baby get his own special quilt. My favorite thing about this quilt was that the binding is from a curtain I had made for Phillip's door to his apartment. Somehow it felt so fitting to use that reclaimed material on something for his son.

Two things I learned from this project. 

1. Making five quilts basically at one time, even if they are only throw quilts, is a BIG project. I definitely needed a break from sewing after the last one was completed.

2. I felt Phillip and his love for his children and his gratitude so deeply through the whole process. Even if he is now on the other side of the veil, he is still very much their father and is still intimately aware of their lives and needs.

I have no idea how most of them felt about their quilts, but I will always feel honored that I was entrusted with such a beautiful tribute of love for this sweet family.

Kids Covid Vaccine - Shot 1

I have been closely monitoring the child version of the Covid vaccine since I was fortunate enough to get mine. Last Tuesday when they announced the Emergency Use Authorization I started hunting for the first available shot. Through the kindness of friends we got hooked up with a local hospital providing pediatric doses. Tonight the kids got their first shot.

When I first broached the subject with the kids about it a few weeks ago, Dude was super excited and Luca was nervous about the pain and potential side effects. Driving out to the hospital, the emotions didn't change. It didn't help Luca's cause that some boy in her class cautioned her that she might die from the shot. Thanks kid.

The whole process was a bit chaotic but crazy easy and we were in and out within 10 minutes. Dude, ever the champ promptly and proudly pulled up his sleeve, took a few deep breaths and it was over. You would have never have guessed that they just stuck a needle into his arm, he was that stoic. Luca whimpered while waited her turn, whimpered while they pulled up her sleeve, and cried after the shot. Honestly, I think her nerves got the better of her and made the whole experience more painful.

Afterwards, we got Mod Pizza and frozen yogurt (with 3 whole toppings) to celebrate. I am excited what this will mean for family events this holiday season. I am excited that I will feel comfortable sending them to extracurricular activities this next year. I am excited that hopefully they will have less opportunity to have quarantine at home should they be exposed. 

Here's to one more milestone in our family's efforts at returning to some semblance of normal.

Edit to add that Dude never complained about any side effects. Luca had a sore arm for a day.

My birthday - 3 Miracles and Some Tender Mercies

I had a pretty awesome birthday.

It started off with Miracle #1 - Straight out of bed and ready for the day hair. Right after we dropped the kids off at school, Matthew and I headed to the temple. And since I can't seem to wake up before 7am, it meant that I only had 20 minutes to get ready. Thanks to Miracle #1, done.

Tender mercy - That sweet birthday present from my little girl. You might not be able to tell but she is holding a heart and we have heart-shaped lips. I got very emotional opening her present, complete with her endearing card claiming me as the best mom ever. I love my darling Luca May.

Miracle #2 - I LOVE going to the temple, but being in the temple often means me inadvertently falling asleep. I can't remember the last time I stayed awake through an entire endowment session. Today I did. I was so proud of myself and so thankful for the overwhelming love I felt from my Heavenly Father - not because of anything that I do, but just because I am His daughter.

Miracle #3 - The only two things I really wanted to do today were to attend the temple and go for a long walk. We've had so much rain this last couple of months that I wasn't sure how doable a walk was going to be. I also wasn't sure if I was going to have to go by myself. I texted some girlfriends but wasn't expecting any answer. My darling Emily jumped at the chance, saying that she had been feeling the same way (wanting an afternoon walk but not knowing if anyone would go with her). I did, she did, and we went. Six miles up and down hills. We got rained on for a few minutes at the beginning but then the rain switch got turned off and we enjoyed the rest of the time with gorgeous weather. Miracles all the way around.

Tender mercy - By the time I got home from the walk, it was just about time for the kids to return from school. I expressed my desire to shower, but Luca claimed that I didn't deserve just a shower, I deserved a luxurious bubble bath. I had zero problem agreeing with her and happily thought as I was drawing the bath that every mom deserves a Luca in their life. I watched part of a movie in utter serenity.

I finished off my birthday celebration with a yummy, healthy salad which left me room for this sweet baby - a smores cheesecake I made yesterday. It is sooooo good. I don't even mind making it, it makes me that happy. I shared a little bit with friends but I was more than happy to continue eating it over the next few days.

Thanks go to Matthew for taking the day off work to help me celebrate, my darling children who worked so diligently to craft gifts they thought I would love, dear friends and family who sent loving phone calls, texts, and gifts, and my Heavenly Father who masterminded such a completely perfect day.

Girls' Night/Day

For the last 24 hours I have had the privilege of spending time with these exceptional women. A year ago during a mental crisis I asked them to come with me to the coast for a couple of days. They readily agreed and now we have a tradition of heading to the coast every six monthish. They are amazing, and husbands are amazing for recognizing how crucial these times are for everyone's survival. It's been a busy week between birthdays, vaccinations, and primary Sunday so I wasn't sure I was up for more. 

I was, mostly because they are so amazing at filling my cup, even if this time we only did one night. Driving out was treacherous. Flooding and lots of standing water made the trek crazy scary. But then lo and behold, the morning dawned completely and utterly breathtaking and we enjoyed a rare warm and sunny day on the coast. 

I love these wonderful faith-filled women and our very honest, faith-filled discussions. This time topics ranged from funerals and mushroom death suits to children to our claims to fame. I am so blessed with good friends, and I am thankful they call me theirs.

Monopoly Milestone

 

I love my children, I love playing games with them but there are games I would much rather play with them than others. Chutes and Ladders, Life, and Monopoly are all games I would be ok not having to play again. 

With Chutes and Ladders, we started playing the repentance version where you only went down any given slide once. If you landed on it again, you didn't have to re-slide since you had repented of your mistake which includes forsaking that particular sin. It made what sometimes feels like an interminable game into something slightly more tolerable.

Life isn't so bad but the hard feelings when someone is making way more money than another person or someone gets to steal your coveted salary card, was just too much drama. Our main rule with this game was having to know how to read before you were allowed to play.

Monopoly is another one of those quintessential interminable games. I'm not sure I've ever played this game with my children without a 30-45 minute time limit. At that point we have two winners, the one with the most money and the one with the most property. Even with that I feel like mother of the year every time I play. The set up and take down alone make it a difficult one with children. 

This morning, the babes opted to play by themselves. They didn't even me if I wanted to join them. I cannot begin to describe just how joyful this made me. I immediately grabbed my phone to document this important milestone. So happy!