The Scariest Goblin

Happy Halloween from a mischievous 21 month old! Scary!!

Who, on other days, is known as Batman.

(and his father, the Huggies wipes box).

More pics to come!

Back to TX

A week and a half ago I boarded a plane with Kyle and headed to AZ! I just got back today. My parents were both going to be out of town at the same time so I got to go hang out with my brother Taylor and enjoy AZ. It was so fun. I found out I was going five days before I left. Usually I am counting down for weeks the next trip I have, but this was a change. Kyle was WAY better than last time I was home (Alli's wedding) and he made himself right at home at "Papa's house."

We

jumped on the trampoline
took walks in the morning
went to the zoo
played with Catcher
met baby Whitman and baby Ella
ate dinner at G.G.'s house
sang Happy Birthday to cousin Mo and ate cake
attended the Stake Pancake breakfast
went to the Mark Mabry fireside
watched cousins Adam and Kaylie in their primary program
had a waffle party with Tim's family
Kyle got his hair cut by Grandma when she came back
played and sang with"Unkie" (Taylor) numerous times on the piano
ate at all the best spots
shopped with Grandma
played with Papa
got together with high school friends at Guedos
went to the airport only to learn my flight was delayed 3.5 hrs and so we rebooked until the next morning

and now we're here. In humid TX. I'm tired and Kyle's sleeping. We missed Tim. Kyle started saying, "Dada! Dada!" as soon as I buckled him up for the descend into San Antonio. It was fun this time because he was excited to get on the plane both times and knew what to expect. On the way to AZ I got him apple juice. He set it on his tray and would drink some juice, eat a pretzel and then wipe his mouth with the napkin. It was too funny. Mr. Manners.

   As a thank you my mom helped me package Guedos to bring back to Tim. He ate it for lunch and said it was the most delicious lunch he's had in a long time. Looks like the poor kid ate a lot of Digiorno pizza while I was gone.

And why didn't anyone tell me Halloween is in just a couple of days? I need to get some candy!
Here are three pics I stole from other blogs:

Hmmm. Maybe I should mention I got Kyle and I dressed and ready to go in twenty minutes that morning. My cousin Christi and cute Bentley are on the left and then Lindsey and the boy she watched, Van. They were so nice to let me tag along!

Kyle loved the petting zoo. As you can see he is standing in some pee/water. Fortunately that puddle isn't deep. Unfortunately the puddle he did jump in was deep and so we left the petting zoo so I could wash off his feet. So gross!!

The girls at dinner. I always feel blessed to have friends that I can go months without talking to and then it's like I never moved away when we get together.

Of course there never seems like enough time when I'm home, but I loved seeing everyone I did get the chance to visit with.

I'm off to nap. Thanks mom and dad for letting me "babysit" my 16 yr. old brother!!

Don't Stop Believing

   Kyle's favorite song these days is "Don't Stop Believing." He loves for Tim to play it and as soon as it ends he says, "More! More!" His dance moves only involve his head. The first video shows a little bit of the dancing. It's sort of long. He didn't dance as much as he usually does but it still makes me smile. The second video you can hear him singing. He has started holding notes out and it sounds awful! Haha. He loves to do it and it cracks us up. You can hear him say "Don't Stop!"






He loves wearing headphones these days and thinks he can master the iPod. He sure is my music man. I hope he always loves music!

Being a Mom

   Honestly, I love being a stay-at-home mom. 
   But... I also want to be so much more! I would love to go back to school and learn about graphic design, be a great photographer, visit orphanages in poor countries, teach a weight-lifting class, go to the grocery store and be able to go up and down the aisles without Kyle pushing the cart, be as stylish as my sister, have abs like my little brother (haha I always tease him about how great his abs are. Weird? maybe), and have days when I only have to worry about me.

  I read this poem on my friend Shannon's blog and I loved it! I never thought stuff like this would hit home for me, but after having Kyle and loving him to death and also learning to balance my life, it really did! 


“She came tonight as I sat alone, the girl I used to be…
And she gazed at me with her earnest eye and questioned reproachfully;

Have you forgotten the many plans and hopes that I had for you?
The career, the splendid fame, and all the wonderful things to do?
Where is the mansion of stately height with all of its gardens rare?
The silken robes that I dreamed for you and the jewels in your hair?

And as she spoke, I was very sad for I wanted her pleased with me…
This slender girl from the shadowy past the girl that I used to be
So gently rising, I took her hand, and guided her up the stair
Where peacefully sleeping, my babies lay innocent, sweet, and fair.

And I told her that these are my only gems, and precious they are to me;
That silken robe is my motherhood of costly simplicity.
And my mansion of stately height is love, and the only career I know
Is serving each day in these sheltered walls for the dear ones who come and go.

And as I spoke to my shadowy guest, she smiled through her tears at me.
And I saw that the woman that I am now, pleased the girl I used to be.

- Author Unknown


I realize that some of my wishes may be attainable some day, (ok, not the abs) and you might laugh at them, but for now I am also so grateful that my "silken robe" is motherhood. Kyle means the world to me and I love him so much. 

How Do You Pay Attention...

...to Conference when your child is doing things like this:

It's funny how life changes. I remember while growing up Conference weekend was a small break from chores and it meant we didn't have to go to the church building (when they started showing it on tv). I also remember my parents saying, "Curtis, Chris sit up," during Conference to make sure we weren't falling asleep.
  This year Tim and I were both so excited for Conference but we'd say, "Did you hear that part?" or "What did he just say?" as Kyle was crawling on us and around us. Nonetheless we loved what we did hear and feel lucky to have a prophet on this Earth. Kyle would say, "Pro!" whenever President Monson spoke. He also tried to sing along with the choir which always had me laughing, and after every song he'd fold his arms and squint his eyes. Sorry Bud, it's not done yet...
  There was also a lot of this:

and sometimes quiet moments like this:

   Yesterday I was doing something when I realized Kyle was a little too quiet. I walked into the kitchen to find him like this. After he heard me he looked up and said, "Mmmm!"

 

  So much for washing the fruit off first. There were little mangled strawberries he put back in the container. It seems like in the last three days he has turned into little tornado man. He loves to throw things everywhere and I'm constantly having to get on him for that. Sometimes I'm impressed with the throw, but I'd rather not have his ball hit our tv or for fragile things to be chucked down the stairs. He keeps us laughing. His newest phrase is, "Come on!"
   And a couple last photos. This was last week. I'm trying to revive the shirt but I'm afraid it may be retired to a pajama shirt. Introducing Orphan Kyle:

 That's what I get for getting him dressed before breakfast. And in case you're wondering, this boy hated bibs at the age of 4 months.

Just Because

Sometimes I have random thoughts that I feel like sharing.

1. I heard on the radio the other day that teens are considered "dumber" these days because they do not know how to write grammatically correct sentences due to the number of text messages they send a day. Do any of my teaching friends see this happening in school? Sometimes when I read someone's Facebook status I feel sick inside because of the way they write "to" instead of "too," or "your" instead of you're." (Don't worry, if you're my close friend I don't think any less of you haha).

2. I find my own self feeling dumber these days. I've been out of school for two years and I tend to have mini panic attacks. Is it "affect" or "effect?" Why did I spell that word wrong? Does the period go before or after the parenthesis!?!? These are real thoughts that lead to an instant headache. How have I lost so much knowledge already?
  I'm assuming if you didn't major in English or English Teaching that you don't freak out over thoughts like these. Is this the case? Do you freak out when you can't remember something you specialized in? How can I sharpen my mind? I don't like Sudoku.

3. Are you dressing up for Halloween? I don't feel the slightest inclination to. I'll throw Kyle in something for sure, but I've never felt the need to dress myself up. Nevermind. I just decided I can be a tennis player. See, for the past several holidays/personal celebrations all I have asked of Tim is to go play tennis. Since we never have it really would look like  a costume if I put some warm-ups on and carry around my tennis racquet. Problem solved.

4. A couple of months ago I tried to become a runner. I went on a couple of jogs and then stopped. If you are a runner, how did you get to that stage?  I used an iPod the other day and it helped me last five minutes longer than usual, but I just feel so ADD when it comes to jogging. It really blows my mind that some people go on runs for fun, to relax, or to clear their mind. I could really use the exercise.

The end. Have a great weekend!