Don't take this the wrong way...

But....on Thursday my kids got the flu and it was the best day we've had in a long time.

Of course the throwing up part wasn't fun.

Jack wanted juice right before each vomiting session, then tried his little heart out to hold it back.  Each time he would moan, "nooooo mommy" and break my heart.

And poor little Lucy.  Why, she didn't even know what was going on.  She saved up and got it all out in two tries.  And by "all" I mean, TONS and TONS!

But the great part was that my kids were so mellow.  We just sat and watched "toons" all day.  One right after another.  I held and snuggled with them both and I was in selfish heaven.  All the while knowing how crummy it is to be sick, but still enjoying a day off from the norm.

Lucy got a bath in the sink.

Then Jack, in his weak state wanted a bath in the sink too!  I tried to explain that the water wouldn't come up high enough and that he might get cold, but he didn't care.

What a way to spend the day.  Bathing in the sink!  I wish I could have joined in!

Now I'm just holding my breath, hoping that this little bug will pass right on by.  It already got TROY.  

Watch...it will come Wednesday night when Troy's brother, wife and 5 kids come for our Thanksgiving feast.  

Think positive thoughts, Ali.  POSITIVE!

blog under construction...

sneak peek for the H family

Dear Tarah.

I hope you went home and gave yourself a foot bath.  You deserve it.  Corralling three kids for a photo shoot is no easy task!

This picture is for you, since I know this is how you felt about tonight!

Your family is gorgeous!

And what a fine couple the two of you make.

Gratitude {number six}

i am grateful for our cars.

story one:

Leaving Utah in Troy's hoopty teal green pick-up truck, we decided to drive through the night to meet up with my family in southern california for a cruise.   About an hour out of Vegas around 4 am, the truck started to overheat.  Badly.  We were stopping every 3-5 miles and sitting on the side of the road waiting for the engine to cool.  Ahead we could see the glow of city lights.  It was not far, but we were uncertain that we could make it there.  Sometimes only inching ahead by one mile, it seemed like eternity before we finally rolled into Primm, NV.  A small dot on the map.  A place that consisted of a couple hotels and a really random rollercoaster attraction.  I was panicking that we would not make it in time to board the ship.  We planned just enough time to drive to Long Beach.  No more, no less.  We rolled into a gas station and started to make some calls.  Pay phone, of course.  We weren't cool enough for cell phones.  It was becoming evident that nobody was going to be able to rescue us in time for the cruise.  I cried.  Then we decided to try our hands at hitchhiking.  We started asking around the gas station for rides to California.  After about 6 rejections, I cried some more.  I mean, we looked nice enough.  Didn't we?  Nobody felt comfortable picking up two strangers.  Finally we met a nice single lady with a huge yellow lab and she accepted our plea for a 5-hour lift to CA.  With just enough time to make it to the cruise, we piled in her car and took off.  She drove us right up to the port of the cruise ship!  Minus her burlesque hairy legs, awkward conversations, and her slobbery dog,  I love that lady for her service that day!

Story two:

Again we find ourselves in So. Cal.  But this time we were moving there.  I was driving my college beater.  The trusty, lusty...Subaru Justy.  Basically built like a glorified tin can on wheels.  13 inch wheels to be precise.  So here I am in all my 3-cylinder glory driving into Orange County, the mecca of luxury vehicles!  I am looking like a clown stuffed into a circus prop car with troy following behind in a U-haul truck.  I have never felt more like a "sore thumb" than that day.  Well...and about a year to follow.  We had many humbling experiences in that car.  Like, our first day at church when we sandwiched in between a BMW and a Lexus in the parking lot.  OR  My first teaching job interview when I intentionally parked on the far corner of the lot and then my interviewer found out I was from Utah and she said, "Oh, is that your car with the utah plates?"  OR  When the muffler broke and was dangling from the car and melting it's way up into the bumper.  

Those are sweet, humbling memories!

Memories that make me appreciate my current vehicle even more!  

The three best things about my current car are:

1.  It's paid off.

2.  We own it.

3.  It's paid off.

I am going to drive this car until it dies or until I can no longer squeeze in another carseat!

Gratitude {number five}

i'm grateful for the power of reverse psychology!   

Let me explain.

 Jack was born a mover and a shaker!  He has never been one to snuggle or cuddle unless extremely tired (like basically sleeping).

For two years I've begged, pleaded, bribed, and forced him to let me enjoy small and brief samples of his  affection.  He does not appreciate such tactics and usually fights them tooth and nail.

Recently, we've discovered that Jack can give the most amazing, puckered lipped, lock-your-daughters-up KISSES!  I can't get enough of them!  But again...they are almost impossible to come by!

UNTIL....

just the other day I outsmarted his reluctance to smooch me.  I started by running around the house saying, "DON'T you dare kiss me!"  

And guess what?

He actually fell for it.  He chased me around until he could pin me down and smother me with kisses.  Mission accomplished (insert evil laugh).  I am now using this technique to my advantage.

Probably overusing.

Can't get enough.

I am going to start adding a few reverse psychology lines to the list.  Like:

Don't you dare snuggle with me.

Don't you dare sit on the toilet and go pee.

Don't you dare take a nap.

Don't even think about saying please, thank you and I'm sorry.

Don't ever brush your teeth!

And as long as this little trick is working, I think I'll add a couple to my list.  Like:

Don't ever go to the gym.

or

Don't stop eating carbs and sweets! 

Gratitude can wait....

...you need to see this cute mom and her 3 beautiful kids!

Gratitude {number four}

I am grateful (99.9% of the time) that I had my kids close together.

My whole plan was to pop these kids out, one right after another, so that they could all be playmates and friends. (and so I didn't end up being 65 before my last child, but nevermind that)

I've had my doubts in this theory along the way.  Two kids in diapers.  Two kids who lack mature reasoning skills and adequate language development.  Two kids who wake each other up out of dreamy sleep on occasion.  A body that is still in recovery from 18 months of gestation.  and yadda, yadda, yadda... 

But in this last month as Lucy has acquired the skill of crawling, it has really livened up the interest factor for Jack!

They now giggle when they see each other.  I will hear Jack invite Lucy to go places with him by saying, "Come on, baby".  I've even discovered them in my closet adding some color to the carpet with acrylic paints.  But honestly, it was undeniably cute to watch them destructing as a team.  It was the first of many mischievous acts to come, I'm sure.

Just this week, Lucy found her way through the bottom of our coffee table.  Jack's eyes lit up when he discovered Lucy's mastermind of game inventing.  They spent the next 15 minutes crawling under the table.

It's just so fun to start to see them playing like friends.  I'll enjoy it while it lasts!

Gratitude {number three}

i am grateful for my church.

(artwork by Minerva Teichert)

A few months back, I was teaching a lesson to the young ladies from church and in that lesson the question was asked:

What are some blessings that you enjoy because of your membership in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints?

We listed some on the board, but later that day I started to think about my personal blessings that I have enjoyed in my life because of this church.

My list was endless.  

Why?  Because everything I enjoy in my life is because of my faith.  My knowledge of, and faith in a loving Heavenly Father.   And in his son, and our Savior, Jesus Christ.  And it it this foundation upon which the church is built.

I love the teachings of our church.  They are constant.  When the world changes it's standards (as it always will) the church stands firm on it's standards. 

I love that I know my purpose in this life.  I love that I know my purpose after this life.

I love that my children will be raised with moral standards.

I love that every Sunday I have the opportunity to "fill" my spiritual cup by attending church.  It helps get me through my week.

I love that we believe God leads us and still reveals truth to us through a living prophet today.  It just makes sense.  

I love that there is NO paid clergy.  It's like we are all working together as a team.  It gives everyone an opportunity to share their talents and abilities.

I love that we believe families are together for eternity.

I love how no matter what country you're in, or what city, the church will be the exact same.  Same organization.  Same songs.  Same teachings.  Same spirit.

I love that I am a Child of God.

I love this church and the blessing it is to be a part of it.

Gratitude {number two}

I am grateful for mid-day naps after long nights, while pecan crusted sweet potato cheesecake bakes in the oven.

Did you catch all that?

sweet dreams to me....

a BABE and a BABY...

go here

{number one} .with GRATEFUL hearts.

Tis the month to

give thanks!

So I am hopping on the GRATITUDE wagon and going to dedicate all my November posts to something I am grateful for in my life.  (plus, I am all out of blogging motivation so this should get me moving.) 

I am GRATEFUL for sunday drives!

With two kids under two (why do I feel so brave just saying that?), it has become a necessity to get out of the house often.  Especially on Sunday's after the kids have been cooped up at church for 3 hours (and let's be honest...us too!).

It usually makes for a much more pleasant day if we can do something together as a family...outside where we can run free!

Yesterday we found a new spot down in a riverbed.  It was paradise for a two year old.  

Glistening white sand.

Concrete flood levees.  Perfect for hiking up and running down.

Trees for playing hide and seek.

Beautiful sunsets.

And an occasional dirt biker (but that ruins the ambiance I am trying to create for you)

It really was the fanciest riverbed I've ever played in.  

 We had a blast.

I coerced Jack into walking up the levee, then coerced Troy into letting us run down insisting that it would be fine.  Well, sure enough, Jack faceplanted into the sand at the bottom.  I was still insisting that he was fine.  Then he lifted his face and looked up at his protective father with his mouth wide open and tongue hanging out all plastered with sand.  Uh-oh.  I was busted!

It was still a great day.  And there is no better close to a great day than arriving back home with two exhausted kids!  

Ode to the Sabbath drive!

toddlers make every photo session fun!

Let's just say we  were all sweating! 

But in the end we repaired our stress by stuffing our faces with delicious Chipotle goodness.

Ready to do it again, guys?

.go here to see more.

opinions

I have been reminded these last few weeks about what makes America great!  

The freedom to have an opinion and VOTE on that opinion.  

Certainly, mine may be different from yours.  We may not see eye to eye.  We may not share the same thoughts or beliefs, but we do share the right to make our voice  known  through a VOTE.

Please don't pass up that freedom.  Make your voice known tomorrow!

**And if you like Catholics and patriotic pictures put to powerful music that tug on your heartstrings a tad, then watch this video made by Catholic Vote 2008.**  (thanks Hillary)

God is great, God is good

Yes on 8, vote you should.

ok.  I'm done.

coming down from the sugar high

ate too much candy

wore sweaty vinyl costumes

stayed up WAY past bedtime

it was a great hAlloWeeN!