67 degrees in January

I want to remember this.  It is currently 67 degrees in Denver!  We went to the zoo for 4 hours this morning (sorry, no pictures) and the girls are exhausted, I want to walk to the park, but they’d never make it.  This weather is amazing, and so much more appreciated in the winter!  I hope they nap quick so we can go enjoy it some more before the sun goes down.  We’ve had an unusually warm winter this year, it’s nice.  I really hope we don’t pay for it with snow in June!

so glad to know

I was just catching up on reading blogs this afternoon and saw a reference on my SIL’s to this article regarding Mormon Mommy Bloggers.  It is an article written by a woman who describes her self as an “atheist lefty feminist” who has a secret obsession with reading blogs of LDS mothers.  She loves to read about their “perfect, shiny” lives and is astounded that we describe things like child-rearing as wonderful and rewarding when she doesn’t hear those things described that way elsewhere.  She is fascinated that we have happy homes with husbands who love us and we love them.  She says that she was married to an “ex-mormon” and knows what that life is and it isn’t for her.  She said she will not be inviting any missionaries in, but still can’t stop reading the blogs.

I just feel so grateful that I know what I know!  Obviously, this woman desires to have a family and feel the happiness and fulfillment that it brings.  She doesn’t even understand what she is missing in regards to the gospel of Jesus Christ and the peace and joy that would bring as well!  The funny (and sad) thing is that she’s in denial. 

It’s true, I choose to be a stay at home mom.  This is a sacrifice.  If I took one of the unsolicited job offers I’ve received over the past few years our income would double.  That would be nice!  But a sacrifice is giving up something you want (I really do enjoy working) for something BETTER.  I know I have chosen the better part and will never regret it.  Yes, it’s tempting when a prior employer calls me up and asks if I am SURE I don’t want to come back and work for him, at whatever salary I require.  Honestly, it is really flattering.  But the thought of leaving my kids to be raised by someone else is just too heart wrenching.  There will be a time for me to work, when my kids are older.  But now is the time for me to spend these precious hours with my kids and teach them truths and enjoy their company.  It goes by so fast.  How sad these women must be when they’ve grown old, have all of their degrees and big corporate titles but no children or grandchildren to share their life with.

We are blessed to know a sort of “formula” for happiness.  It can be found in the scriptures, conference talks, and through prayer.  It’s so sad to see others confused as to why they aren’t happy, even when it is starring them in the face!

Now, I don’t write this to offend.  So please don’t be!  I know there are many mothers who have to work to help support their families and it is certainly a decision to be made by you and your spouse as to what is best for you and your family.  I am just saying that this decision was right for me.  No, everyday isn’t perfect, of course not.  (read this post if you want an example)  But the overall theme in my life is happiness and I believe that is because what I am doing is right.

I could go on and on (being concise has never been one of my talents) about how being a mom can be such a thank-less job in that no one knows (or cares) how many times you picked up those toys today (because they are all on the floor again at the end of the day) how many spills you cleaned up, how many noses you wiped, how many life-lessons you tried to teach your children, etc.  Nearly everything I do as a mother is undone, constantly. (which is why I enjoy crafting, it stays done!) No one pays us to do this.  Except the Lord.  When I worked before I had Sophie, I enjoyed: a regular pay check, bonuses for my hard work, recognition for my ideas and solutions to problems, promotions, parties, free lunches, etc.  But the best things in life aren’t easy.  I love my “job.”

Sorry for all the standing on a soap box!  I just had to get this off my chest.  I love you all and if you get a chance to read the article I’d be interested to hear what you think.

being followed… {shudder}

This morning I was behind schedule (which is, sort of like my schedule… since that’s how I usually am).  I intended to go running as soon as the girls were up and then get back, shower, and take Sophie to preschool.  But Tessa slept in late and I wasn’t ready to go when she woke up anyway, like I should have been.  So I rushed around and got us all ready to go realizing that I would have to just run Sophie straight to school, no time to come home and shower.  Oh well.  At least I’d get my run in.

So we set out on our run about 9:15, everything was as usual except the route since we were headed to school (which is just at the neighbor’s house).  I wanted to get 5 miles in before I got there so I was kind of looping around taking the long way when I saw a coyote in the field about 100 ft ahead of me to the right.  He didn’t see me coming so I tried to sniff my nose real loud to alert him to our presence and hopefully… scare him away.  He looked up and saw us and sort of ran into the field a bit but we were coming around a corner so he wasn’t any further away from us, plus it was just a field with no trees, he wasn’t hidden at all.  He was a good sized coyote.  So he crossed the trail in in front of us, I was surprised how un-concerned he seemed to be we were so close by, me with my HUGE double stroller with the bright yellow weather shield on I thought would be more intimidating!

 

We passed him and kept going, but I had an eerie feeling… you know that being watched/followed feeling?  So I turn and looked back and saw him running behind me!!!  He wasn’t very close (I don’t know, like 2 or 3 car lengths)  but he was on the trail running towards us.  So I, of course, ran faster scared out of my wits!  I looked back again and he wasn’t on the trail anymore but walking on the side.  I was so uncomfortable, just hoping someone with a big dog would happen along and scare him off.  Where were the people?!  I see a person on the trail every couple minutes usually.  I was looking on the ground for a big stick as I ran, for a weapon… just in case?  I feel silly now saying that, but I was serious at the time.  I thought coyote's were supposed to be cowards!  But I had read that they hunt in 2’s and I was pretty sure there was only one so I kept reminding myself of that fact.  I decided to call Dan, for comfort.  I kept running (DUH, like I would stop here!) and called Dan 3 times (pretty sure he was in court, oops) until he answered.  I told him (panting hard) I was being followed, and he told me it probably was chasing something else and would leave me alone. I knew he was right but I still wanted him to talk me through it until I was out of the field area and in a neighborhood.  I kept checking over my shoulder and never saw the coyote again (not that I didn’t keep looking).  But MAN did that shake me up!!  I really need to get some pepper spray or mace (anyone know the difference?) so I feel more comfortable.  I was totally freaking out!  Have you ever been chased by a wild animal?  How do you keep your cool?  Am I irresponsible to go out running when I know they are there?  I’ve never heard any reports of them attacking people, just small dogs.  Am I over-reacting, would you have been scared?

Just found an image of this sign, they are posted all over the trails I run… looks like I should have read one before now.  Check out the 1st bullet point.

our Christmas vacation (part three)

Christmas Day at the Chapmans

The Chapmans are great gift givers and we always get spoiled by Dan’s parents.  This year Nina put together photo books with pictures, stories and info about some of our ancestors (she’s an amazing genealogist).  On the cover is a picture of a clock.  Tom spoke to us about time passing and then presented each family with their own antique clock!  How cool is that?  I’d been wondering HOW MANY clocks they needed on their piano as they collected them over the last few years. :)  We love having the clock in our home. (Ours is the black one in the far right.)

The younger generation don’t appreciate Grandpa Tom’s speeches as well as the rest of us… got a bunch of pictures of them looking bored.  Made me laugh.  Don’t worry, they were spoiled thoroughly shortly thereafter.

I made Dan’s parents a card that said, “Roses are Red, Violets are Blue, Ann is pregnant… and WE ARE TOO!”   Sophie got a Jessie doll and Tessa got Woody, they have been very well loved.

 

Grandma and Grandpa also got the girls new dress-up capes, a movie, a book, and matching outfits.  They had so much fun playing together.

 

Jaycee thought Woody was pretty interesting as well.  She’s so cute and FAT she’s totally swelled up since we last saw her, love it!

6 cute girl cousins (btw - we found out that Ann’s having a BOY, the first on the Chapman side!)

Also, I am totally jealous of this couch, isn’t it handsome?  I want one just like it.

The men watched some football in the basement to escape all the girly-ness.  There was plenty of it! :)

Smash Bro’s in the afternoon

I don’t remember which day this was, probably Christmas Eve.  These 4 played for quite awhile and seemed to enjoy themselves quite a lot.  Even though Jonathan mainly dominated.

Sunday

Since church wasn’t until 1, we the girls got to  make these cute edible snowmen with Grandma in the morning.  Some fun bonding time.

That night we ate dinner over there and Jason and Candice came over.  We put Jaycee in Tessa’s Santa hat and I thought it was the cutest thing I’ve ever seen!  She’s so sweet and deliciously pudgy.

That night I FINALLY got to see my little sister Joni!!!  She had been gone the whole time with her boyfriend and his family out of town.  I was glad we got to see her, even if it was only for a couple hours.

Sophie, honey… I DON’T think this is the way the ladies ride.   I love Tess with a moustache, don’t you?  She needs some more cookies. :(  My girls are so dramatic.

 

Whew!  And that was the end of our Christmas vacation this year.  We drove home the following morning.  Thank you very much to all of our family who we enjoyed company with and gifts from!

our Christmas vacation (part two)

Christmas Morning at the Quincy’s

We spent Christmas morning in my parent’s home along with my parents (obviously), Jonathan, and the Kendalls.  It was fun, very nostalgic for Jenny and I to be in the same house being forced to eat our breakfast first in the same kitchen, and then lining up by age in the same hall to go in and see what Santa brought us in the same stockings we’ve had since we were babes.  This is where Christmas was magical for me.  Thanks for making it that way Mom and Dad!

{Here’s the early risers at the breakfast table.} {Jonathan and Sophie, the earliest risers waiting for the rest of us to finish eating so we could go into see the presents together.}

 

And in regular Christmas fashion, there was one who didn’t want to get up as early as the rest of us in the morning… any guesses who it was???  In his defense, poor Dan had been up coughing most of the night and did NOT feel well.  But I guilted him into coming asked him nicely to come up so he could see his kids open their presents from Santa. :)  Look at those poor tired eyes, he’s a good guy.

 

Anyway, onto the LOOT!  I was so happy to finally be able to give my girls the gifts I had bought them.  It’s hard to wait!

{Rockstar Sophie loves her toy guitar.} {Dean, loves this airplane of course because it has WHEELS.}

{Tessa hugging her Ariel barbie, she brings her to bed most every night these days. Ariel is her favorite princess, either her or Cinderlla.}  {Tessa, multi-tasking.  That’s a wooden pizza she’s holding, btw.}

 

{Sophie opening her much-desired, and long-talked-about little horses.  They’ve had a LOT of play time since this day.} {I love this picture of Jenny and James because they have such an obviously opposite reaction to watching the same thing. Too funny.}

The girls made time for some lip gloss application… got to have pretty lips for all those Christmas pictures!

Santa introduced them to something new and wonderful, Ring Pops!!

Time to stop and give Grandpa and Grandma some love.

{Here’s Mom reading the sticky note on the calendar I gave her indicating the due date of our next baby, thanks for the idea Ann! Do you think we surprised her?  I think so, although she’s always really animated.}  {Sophie, just being her beautiful self.}

{Soph playing Candyland with Grandma.}

Such a fun morning!  I do love Christmas.  I hope your Christmas was full of just as much love and joy as ours.

This post is long enough already, so I think I’ll do a another one for Christmas afternoon/evening with the Chapman family.