Melons

My babies have big heads.

It runs in the family.

My sister-in-law calls it our "German shaped heads," and indeed we do have German ancestors, but I don't know if one can speak in such generalities...

Okay, so based on principles of perspective and depth, the head sizes in this picture are all wrong,
I think you all know who's the German though. Coincidence? I think not.

Anyway, it makes for difficult deliveries, and sometimes I look at other people's newborns and think -"Man! That one would have been a cinch to give birth to!"

I was reading a lady's blog where she wrote a lovely article about how there is so much spiritual symbolism in the natural childbirth process, and how we were meant to go through pain and suffering when we bring children into this earth and so forth... (did I mention she's a doula or midwife or something?) However, I could only think how grateful I have been for epidurals and that if I hadn't been able to have those (and I still felt plenty of pain by the way) I would have been way too traumatized to appreciate the experience and I most likely would have resented my babies for causing me so much pain.  I applaud women who can have their babies naturally, and I try not to let it make me feel like less of a woman because I don't.  I'll just keep telling myself that their babies don't have as big of heads as mine do.

I have to admit, big heads make for really cute babies, if I do say so myself.

I love how when my baby bends over to pick something up it often ends up in an impromptu somersault.

Gotta love the bed-head too.

And I love how when he looks up at me too quickly he has to stagger backward a few paces just to keep his balance.

Babies are miracles however they are born, and everyone can have the deeply spiritual experience of knowing that this little spirit came straight from heaven and was meant for us to take care of regardless of whether we physically brought them into this world (with or without the blessings of modern medicine), or adopted them into our families.
Heaven knows the pain we mothers feel extends beyond the physical kind at delivery.  I think when Eve was cast out of the garden that perhaps some of the sorrow she would experience in bringing forth children wasn't just the physical kind but the kind that comes from watching them use, or should I say misuse, their agency --which was a direct result of the fall.
Still, she wisely chose to focus on the joy and happiness that her children brought her as well as the hope that the plan of redemption gave and she praised God (Moses 5:11-12).
What a wonderful example.

So, when life gives you lemons... just reverse the first three letters and you've got yourself something that's naturally sweet.

(I made that up all by myself.)

((I think I better go to bed.))

Anyway, I was just thinking of all my sisters and friends who are expecting right now (some sooner than others) and I wish them all the best! (plus small baby head circumferences ...not too small though).

Feeding Time

I haven't really put any home videos on this blog, mostly it's just a stylistic choice, but this clip makes me smile, so I thought I'd share.




The baby just learned this new trick of spitting while I'm trying to feed him --which is less than amusing-- and so to teach him a lesson, I set down the food and walked away.  A minute later I hear giggling, and it turns out that my 3 year old has decided to try his hand at feeding the baby.  They both thought they were so hilarious.

The Hills are Alive...

....and they're going to eat me...  Aaa-a-a-aahh.


I went for a hike with the boys the other day while my husband was at work.   Now, I've never been afraid of the woods.  I grew up going camping and hiking on a regular basis, and at times I felt more at home there than anywhere.  However, as I hiked through this forest, with my little ones surrounding me, I was suddenly panic-stricken.  What if something happened?  What if a bear, or a mountain lion, or even wolves for that matter, thought my baby sounded like something to eat?  What if one of those dumb cows by the side of the road, or even worse, a mama moose, decided to take offense at something and charge!?  What if, what if, what if...?  It was making me paranoid.

I wasn't too concerned with minor injuries, nettles, bees, whatever.  I was worried about having to fight off some ferocious animal with a baby strapped to my back.  It probably didn't help that there were "Be Bear Aware" signs all over, and we were packing yummy-smelling peanut butter and jelly sandwiches.
As we lost sight of the car, I heard a really strange noise, similar to what I might imagine a cougar to sound like, but lower and kinda garbled.  There were cows on the other side of the clearing, but this didn't sound like any cow.  As I seriously considered making a run for the car, I looked around at the docile creatures, and decided that if the cows weren't concerned that I wouldn't be either.  I said a quick prayer (one of many that day), grabbed a big stick, and kept going.

We actually had a really great time!  It was a lovely hike, and a beautiful day.  We enjoyed our little picnic and when the trail ended, the boys wanted to keep going, so we just hoofed it up through the trees, higher and higher, exploring as we went.

We saw a lot of really cool things on the way,

and experienced a few firsts...

 The baby, even though we went way past his nap time, just chilled in the backpack, soaking it all in.  He loved it.

As we went back down the mountain and down the trail, the boys couldn't resist the urge to let gravity take them faster and faster, running, leaping, flying.  We were almost to the place we left the car, but still, I felt those imaginary cords that bind them to me tighten as they got just a little too far for comfort.  I called, to no avail, as they disappeared out of sight.

The panic, which had left for the most part, suddenly came back as I noticed the cows across the way jump up and start running down the canyon. More and more cows appeared from somewhere to the right.  Fears of what might be scaring them, and a possible stampede ran through my head.  As I rounded the next bend I saw the car, and my two little boys almost to it.  Thank goodness for keyless entry and power sliding doors.  I pushed the button on my key chain so the kids could easily hop into the car, and once they were safely inside I finally felt a sense of relief.

Ah, motherhood.  I know it will always be like this.  I will never stop worrying.

Of course, the cows were just afraid of us, and now, because nothing ever happened, I feel a little silly about all my fears.  However, I'm glad that I didn't give up and give in to them, letting them get in the way of our beautiful day.

Still, I might purchase a can of bear spray before next time, just in case.

Naturally...

I love being surrounded by nature.

It invigorates me, fills me with hope, inspires and awes, and I am often overcome with gratitude to my Creator.

This is what I want for my kids --to be constantly filled with wonder. To learn to respect and appreciate the world around them. 

I want them to recognize God's love for them and see His power and majesty. It's in the details.

However, I also have to remember as they explore this world around them, that boys will be boys --and even if I tell them not to (especially if I tell them not to), they're going to touch it.

Ick. What can I do?

The baby appreciates nature in his own way (don't worry I washed it first).  This is why he's usually a  just a spectator.

For now anyways.

A Walk Down Memorial Lane

The kids and I went exploring.  The road to our favorite canyon was closed so we ended up here.  

How fitting since it was just a few days after Memorial Day.

FYI: Cemeteries are the most colorful right after Memorial Day.

The Jackson Hole Cemetery is the most beautiful cemetery I know.

It's on the side of a mountain, so all the plots are tiered.

It was a little boy paradise.

We talked a bit about mortality, and what happens after we die.  As I tried to avoid scaring them, I might have made it sound too good because both kids decided they wanted to die right now and go to Heaven.  Oops.  So then I had to talk up earth life, which was surprisingly hard to do.

You know what though, mortality isn't supposed to be easy.  It's not all fun and games.

In fact, we probably cried harder when we sent people off into mortality, knowing how difficult, and painful, and lonely it might be, and that some of them might succumb to Satan's lies, forget who they are, and lose the blessings God has in store for His children.
Of course, I didn't tell them that.

Instead, I told them how grateful I am for my life, for my body, for my family, for the things I get to learn and experience --things I couldn't do elsewhere, and for the knowledge we have of Heavenly Father's plan for us.

I'm so glad I get to be their mother, and that I have the opportunity (or rather, the responsibility), to impart to them the things I've come to know and cherish. I have hope that it will guide them throughout their lives, give them direction, and make things a little easier on their journey through this life,

...wherever their paths may take them.

A Day Just For Me?

Not really.  But a day where I am reminded of my new identity that started almost five years ago.  It's an identity I cherish.

This Mother's Day I had the opportunity to realize how motherhood has made me a better person in many ways

I have become...

More grateful for the little things --like sleep, as I was allowed to sleep in mother's day morning.

Less concerned about appearances --as we were late for church after enjoying the delicious pancake breakfast my husband made.

More frugal and resourceful --as I wore a "new" shirt which, like most of my clothes, I found at the thrift store, and later made a  dinner out of the few ingredients we had in the house since we went on a date and I didn't get around to shopping the night before.

Less selfish --as I allowed my children to eat the chocolate gift I had been given.

More loving as they teach me by example how to communicate love.  Their hugs, their kisses, their sweet words as they tell me, "I wuv you so much."  It melts my heart even on the hardest days --

...because of course, there are hard days.  And those have given me opportunities for improvement in areas I thought I was doing pretty good in, like patience, ,and anger management,

Most of all though, I realize how much my heart has expanded to include all these little hearts; their cares, their fears, their dreams  --all of which have become as important to me as my own, if not more so.

My heart is full.

Not-so-recent goings-on.

This is a little out of date, since this mostly just recaps April, but to document our last few months in Idaho I thought I'd share a few photos.

As it started getting warmer, we couldn't help but get out and play.

We went to the tennis courts one night as a family.

The baby was pretty entertained at our sorry attempts at tennis at least.

A couple good storms washed the neighborhood clean -- one that came and went so fast, the sun began shining again before the rivers of water (--that had once been our road) receded.  I didn't have the camera, but rest assured that my four year old and I had a fun time splashing and wading through the calf-deep puddles.  There were even ducks swimming in the intersection of our street! I think I got a quick pic on my phone, but I have no way of transferring the image that I know of.
Here's a rainbow from one of those storms.  It was actually a full double rainbow.

We also had some friends over in a babysitting swap, and the kids had a lot of fun playing some version of tag that includes a ball.  It's a pretty good way to wear them out.

My 2nd child turned three years old in April. He got to do everything he wanted for his birthday.

We opened presents in the morning before daddy went to work,

Then, the highlight of the day...

Just look at those baby blues.  How could anyone say no to a face like that?

we rode the bus to the Carl's Jr. play-place.  (Riding the bus was the highlight).

We unsuccessfully looked at a nearby store for some galoshes, but he was appeased by being allowed a quarter for the candy machines.

Then we rode the bus home for naps,

The people on the bus gushed over the cuteness of my kids, and one passenger even asked if she could give them a ball.  (Note: balls are not good toys on a bus, since they will most likely have to be retrieved at least twice from various parts of the bus, and even from the gutter outside the folding door by other poor unsuspecting passengers). The baby nearly fell asleep on the way.

That night we celebrated with cake.

In case you can't tell, he's licking his lips in anticipation. The kids just started doing that recently, funny huh.

The kids have been bringing me bouquets of dandelions, but when they all turned into the white fuzzy globes, it didn't slow them down.  Rather the bouquets just took on a more interactive appeal.

 What a lucky mom I am.