Fly Away

Yesterday morning as I reminded Noah that he had school today.

He looked at me with disgust and said "Again"

I responded with a "Yup, you go to school everyday that daddy goes to work"

His face lit up and he said "Mom, I'm becoming a Man"

When we arrived at school, I asked if he wanted me to walk him up to the building.

He responded "Mom, I am 5, Just drop me off and I will run"

I asked for a kiss and he responded and a hug and a kiss for good measure.

He hugged baby cause she will miss him to.

And climbed out of the car, hoisted his backpack onto his shoulders

With a huge grin on his face started walking through the gate and up to school

His exuberance and confidence made me proud

I was a bit choked up as I thought "fly away my little bird"

Noah's First Day of Kindergarten

(Noah outside our house ready to go to school)

Today was Noah's first day of Kindergarten. He is in the Afternoon class and he has the cutest teacher, Miss Emily. I met her at the end of last year at his transition meeting for his speech. She seems so awesome and I think she will be a good fit for my boy. After his kindergarten assessment last tuesday he said he really really liked her and he thought she was a Hot Momma. It makes us totally laugh. I think he overheard his daddy talking about how he thought he had a really pretty teacher.

(Walking in line into his classroom, He looks like a man with a purpose)

Last year we had an issue with Noah thinking that school was boring (a word he learned from his classmates). So after parent teacher conference a couple weeks ago, I told him that his teacher says she does not teach anything that is boring. He was so cute, he started jumping up and down and clapping. We both decided that kindergarten was going to be awesome. I had a brilliant mom moment one night when he told me his primary class was boring. I said that I know your kindergarten teacher does not teach boring things so if you say it is boring. I will know you are not getting enough sleep for kindergarten. He looks at me with a horrified look on his face like he is totally screwed.

He woke up, ate his breakfast and watched a episode of Spiderman, he took a shower, got dressed for school. We took his picture in front of our house and then brushed our teeth. For his first day we had a special lunch that he got to choose. We went the the BK and he wore a crown as did Sofia. We ate apple fries and cheeseburgers. Then we drove to school

He held my hand as we walked up to the gate. I talk how excited I was for him. He responded that he was glad he did not have a boring teacher that it was going to be really really fun. I took a picture by the school and he lined up to go to class. He saw his friend Lily, hence more pics and he walked into school. I peeked in when he was more settled. He was playing at one of the tables. He looked a little bit nervous but fine. I was so proud as his mom. He is jumping in with gusto. I hope he has a really good year.

(Noah with his new teacher Miss Emily)

Well, he did have a really fun day he said. Of course like any child he did not tell me anything useful about what he learned. He did have snack and recess and there are lots of fun friends in his class. I got to talk to his teacher and she said he did really well and she could understand him mostly. He showed his talking device to the class and they thought it was cool. He told Kersten about a boy that punched him and was a bully and he was not but I think that might be a made up story.

Seems like a successful day for Noah and for mom, I did not even cry or feel like it not even once.

Grateful Sunday - August 23, 2009

It has been a very long while since I have done a grateful Sunday post. It does not mean I have not been grateful just preoccupied, busy, thoughtful, and a bit harried. I recently had a very needed validation from a good friend. She said to me "Laurie, since you had to move out of your house, you constantly have had one thing after another. Literally you have not had a break or many quiet moments" It was nice to have my thoughts confirmed. So here is what I am grateful for...

My Husband: He is such a hard worker. He has been invaluable in helping get our house together. He works and goes to school full time and still spends quality time with all of us. And a little over a week ago fractured two of his ribs and then on friday cut off the top of his right hand ring finger. He is in considerable pain. And in spite of this today he played with and cared for our children so that I could take a much needed nap to fight away another migraine. He is such a support to me.

Temples: Over the weekend they have had numerous dedications to the new temple in our area The Oquirrh Mountain Utah temple. I have been contemplating a lot about the ordinances and covenants we make in the temple. I am overwhelmed with the beauty and promises made there. I am so blessed to have so very many temples within such close driving distance. It has reaffirmed my commitment to go more often and to take advantage of the blessings of the temple.

My Cute House: Over the last two weeks and some I am so reassured and felt so at peace that we are where we are suppose to me. A day does not go by that not one of us says how much we love our house. Although it does not have all the things I thought I wanted it has what we need. The ward is so amazing and friendly. There are kids close by and the beauty of the mountains surround me. I just love it here so far.

Noah: This boy brings so much joy and wonder to our family. He teaches me everyday about how to interact and be more patient with other people. His imagination is incredible. We have new adventures everyday. I still can't believe he starts Kindergarten in a week. He is being so brave. He is so generous with his love and hugs and kisses at least with me and "His" baby. He really is an amazing big brother and genuinely loves and teaches his sister new things everyday. I am a very lucky mother.

Sofia: This girl is a complete and absolute delight. She has such a contagious laugh and takes such delight from everything around her. She is constantly talking and is all over the place. She lives life with gusto and passion. Nothing get by her, she sees and wants to do everything. She is my constant shadow, helping with dishes, laundry and unpacking. Her favorite person is her "Bother Row-ra" she laughs and tickles him every morning to wake him up. I love my time with her in the morning before Noah wakes up, she snuggles and laughs and talks in her gibberish. It is precious. I just love this little girl with all her spunk and tenacity.

65 questions probably never been asked

1. First thing you wash in the shower? My hair and then I go down from there

2. What color is your favorite hoodie? Just White but it fits perfectly

3. Would you kiss the last person you kissed again? Everyday and all the time

4. Do you plan outfits? For special events or if I know I have a big out of the house day I chose something I feel pretty in

5. How are you feeling RIGHT now? Okay, I am fighting off a migraine so I feel a bit fuzzy

6. Whats the closest thing to you that's red? One of the fabric flowers I made for the benefit and Sofia's chapstick

7. Tell me about the last dream you remember having? Last night I was on stage with Jayson Wolfe the character in the Anita Stansfield book I finished last night. It was totally awesome

8. Did you meet anybody new today? not yet it is still pretty early.


9. What are you craving right now? a cinnamon roll


10. Do you floss? not as much as I should, but Noah and I are becoming flossing buddies so that helps a bit


11. What comes to mind when I say cabbage? coleslaw, my husband loves it.


12. Are you emotional? Yes, a bit more than I like to admit.


13. Have you ever counted to 1,000? to time consuming


14. Do you bite into your ice cream or just lick it? lick it at first and then bite into it when I get to the cone


15. Do you like your hair? It really terribly badly needs a haircut and color. The "hair whisperer" has not been available lately


16. Do you like yourself? most of the time, my company is not bad.


17. Would you go out to eat with George W. Bush? sure, why not. It might be interesting.


18. What are you listening to right now? the air conditioner and for my kids to make a noise. They are still asleep

19. Are your parents strict? my mom tried to be when we were really young and then they totally were lax


20. Would you go sky diving? definitely


21. Do you like cottage cheese? when I eat it with my Grandma it tastes very delicious, other times not so much


22. Have you ever met a celebrity? local celebrities and celebrities in LDS culture yes quite a lot of them actually but I KNOW I will meet James Taylor someday. I found a connection

23. Do you rent movies often? not much right now to much going on. But we do LOVE to watch movies


24. Is there anything sparkly in the room you're in? Yes, sparkly paper and sparkly buttons on a fabric flower


25. How many countries have you visited? just America


26. Have you made a prank phone call? I went through a phase when I was about 9


27. Ever been on a train? yes


28. Brown or white eggs? I really like brown eggs, there is something so beautiful about them


29.Do you have a cell-phone? yes, my favorite pink one died a water death so I have my husbands old silver one now. It makes me a bit sad , the pink made me happy.

30. Do you use chap stick? Yes I do


31. Do you own a gun? Kersten has an old WWI german mouser that is pretty sweet


32. Can you use chop sticks? I look ridiculous even trying.

33. Who are you going to be with tonight? My sweet husband and two beautiful kids. We were going up the canyons but now that is tomorrow night so I think we will do movie night. On our sexy new tv.


34. Are you too forgiving? Most times


35. Ever been in love? Everyday


36. What is your best friend(s) doing tomorrow? It is saturday so probably hanging out with their fam


37. Ever have cream puffs? My mother in law makes amazing cream puffs


38. Last time you cried? Yesterday because my head hurt so bad


39. What was the last question you asked? to my housban "So how is work today?"


40. Favorite time of the year? Fall


41. Do you have any tattoos? nope


42. Are you sarcastic? sometimes


43. Have you ever seen The Butterfly Effect? no


44. Ever walked into a wall? a bit to many times, I hate to admit


45. Favorite color? yellow, red and green


46. Have you ever slapped someone? tried to but it was a bit weak


47. Is your hair curly? Yes


48. What was the last CD you bought? Dave Matthews Band, Big Whisky and the Gru Grux King, (amazing, I am a bit obsessed)


49. Do looks matter? depends on what for


50. Could you ever forgive a cheater? trust issues and depends on the kind of cheating


51. Is your phone bill sky high? not to bad anymore


52. Do you like your life right now? love love love it


53. Do you sleep with the TV on? that would drive me to the brink of insanity


54. Can you handle the truth? Yes much better than a lie or exaggeration


55. Do you have good vision? ha ha


56. Do you hate or dislike more than 3 people? nah


57. How often do you talk on the phone? more than I would like


58. The last person you held hands with? Sofia, she has the sweetest hands


59. What are you wearing? my favorite Eddie Bauer tan capris, my red shirt Lena gave me and a black shade


60.What is your favorite animal? penguin and giraffes. My kids are both Obsessed with "doggies" right now


61. Where was your default picture taken at? I took it off the internet so no ide


62. Can you hula hoop? used to be awesome at it. I need to try it again


63. Do you have a job? yes, a very hectic wonderful job of raising my kiddos


64. What was the most recent thing you bought? Kersten's 33 birthday surprises, it was fun

65. Have you ever crawled through a window? Yes, to break into my parents house and my old house too.

True Love

I have been thinking a lot about true love lately. Not just love, since there are so many different kinds. But the full blown, drag out, can't live without each other kind of love that last beyond this realm and for forever. Any one that knows me well, knows that I am a bit obsessed with love.

In high school I cut out magazine pictures of people in love and gathered quotes about love and made a "Love Book". I spent hours and hours on this endeavor. I ended up with 2 huge binders of quotes and pictures and 2 file folders in my file cabinet, that I still just can't throw away. I got the idea from one of my Laurel advisors from church who had the most amazing activity that inspired me.

I spent hours dreaming, scheming, planning and preparing to find and meet my true love. I just knew it would be full of passion, understanding and that we would be in perfect harmonious bliss together. I hit quite a few pit falls in my search for love but, we all have our stories. And when the reality that I might love this person instead of just liking him a lot hit me, I could not speak, my jaw had hit the floor and my best friend had to nudge me to get me moving so we could leave the airport. It was blissful and perfect. And he was and is so handsome and charming and all those beautiful things I imagined. When he finally kissed me on the roof with the stars glittering over head, I thought my soul would burst with happiness. We spent a perfect year together, deep in love and making many mistakes but trusting and talking things through. When he left I felt like my heart had shriveled up into a piece of dried fruit and I did not know how I would move on. I did, and I went to school and dated, played and met many more men. But none of them were him. He unexpectedly had to come home due to an injury that involved surgery and the whole nine yards. We spent the summer, secretly touching fingers under the table and later on, one armed hugs. Talking and talking until we had nothing more to say so we just sat in blissful silence. He left again and it was hard again. But I managed a bit better. And when he returned it was all we could do not to be together every minute of every day. When he proposed on that frigid December evening under the twinkling lights my dreams had come true. He was all I had dreamed and more. That February we had a test, I did not know it was a test at the time. Looking back it was a defining moment when I knew that I had made the right choice. I got sick, really really sick and at this point I had never been so sick. My dearest love was beside me every minute of getting better and the nurses thought that we were already married. I knew then as I know now that he will always care for me in times of need.

I will never forget kneeling across the altar, and when he said Yes, with a wink and a smile that bound us together as one for the rest of all eternity. I knew that I had found it. I had True Love like I had dreamed. I knew there was no possible way that we would not live Happily ever after. And the truth of it is, that we have. But now 11 some odd years later I know that true love is more than the bliss, the passion, the oneness and what we think it should be. It is the small and very large things that every couple must endure. The reality is that along with the passion there is anger, anxiousness and impatience. That with the courage and protectiveness comes fear and paranoia. That love flows and bends and melds into things you knew and need to learn so that it can stand the tests of time. A very shocking realization is that there are times you could say you hate the one you swore to love for all time and beyond. That he annoys and bugs you and that you can feel complaintcant toward him.

The absolute greatest example I know of true love is my grandparents. Oh, their love was legendary. I strived to find that and live like they did. The first summer with my love I walked with my grandmother and she told me the stories and the reality of living with such love. I look back now and am in awe that she knew just what to share and how. It is something I hold quite dear. Recently I was talking with one of my sisters and my grandparents great love came into the conversations. And with talking with her she sparked all these thoughts. By the time I knew my grandparents they had raised 5 children, had numerous grandchildren, lost a business, retired and then some. They had LIVED their life. They had struggled, fought and strived for their relationship and their love. It could not have been easy for my grandma. My grandpa traveled a lot and I mean a lot. She raised the children a lot on her own. And when he was home he wanted peace and quiet. He yelled a lot and wanted things a certain way. But he also adored her and his children, he cared for them. She chose to stay so very much in love with him. So that what I remember is how they learned to talk to each other, they had learned the silly eccentricities of each other and embraced their differences and just cared and loved one another. He always called her "His Bride" and his "gorgeous dish". She always giggled and kissed him.

LOVE is something we have to fight for. It is something that we choose to do every single day. The love I wanted and dreamed of is not something that happens after he finds my shoe and sweeps me off my feet to take me away forever. It is something we work for every single day. Every minute we make choices whether to solidify our love or drive it away. And it has to be the choice of both of the lovers. And you have to keep making that choice even when it crap and not fair. It is good to be the first to calm down and forgive. To force the real issues to be talked about. Because if you do have True Love, your love will fight with you and do romanticall things because he knows you love it. And when he sneaks up behind you to hold you close and calls you "Bride" because he always has and now you know how significant that is. You can relish in his love and remember that this is forever and it is so so so much better than you dreamed. And then you giggle and kiss him with all you've got.

Today is Kersten's birthday

Happy Birthday to my dearest love! I can hardly believe we are so very old. I hope your birthday was fun. It was fun finally having some time to be together. In honor of your 33 years here are 33 things that make me love you. The pic above is my boys being suave and cool before church a couple of weeks ago.

1. You crazy curly hair. I love love love that you are growing it out
2. how you make up songs about our life and love
3. How you let me put my cold feet up next to you to warm up at night
4. You make me laugh every day at least a dozen times
5. That you live life with passion
6. That you can use big words and they sound like they should be part of your vocabulary.
7. You are an amazingly talented writer. I wish you had more time to write
8. That you will talk with Noah about Star Wars as long as he wants.
9. You take time to play with and know your children.
10. You love candy
11. You get snacky at night and have a ritual of how to find what snack to eat
12. Your a bit paranoid
13. I love your broad shoulders
14. I also love your strong jawline
15. You love to play Mafia Wars on Facebook
16. You often read the same books that I do so we can talk about them
17. You will read children's books aloud with me
18. You always pretend you are interested in all the things I create and maybe sometimes you are
19. You have great hands
20. You work hard and then you play hard
21. you are a big teaser
22. You love doing things outdoors
23. You are continually trying new things and getting obsessed with them
24. You try to do what you know is right even if it is hard
25. You are obsessed with shoes
26. You play air instruments to all your music and have taught our kids to do the same
27. We can always talk and talk and talk. It is always interesting to talk with you.
28. You are a bit impulsive but it makes life more thrilling
29. You involve the kids in your projects so they learn and genuinely feel like they helped
30. You want to be there for those you love the most, no matter what
31. You take your stewardship seriously
32. you love me in spite of myself
33. You allow me to tease about how much older you are. I am glad you married a younger woman even if it is by only 3 months

Happy Birthday Babe. I do love you

please check out this link to Kersten's blog... Discussing Noah's Art Show