About Jeans

I had a conversation yesterday morning with Lainah.  It went about like this.

Lainah:  Ugh....Mom, I think I need to unbutton these shorts, they're too tight on my tummy.
Mom:  Oh!  Well, let's just take them off and put them away for Addy, they must be too little!
Lainah:  No, they still fit me, they're just too tight in the waist.
Mom:  Well, when jeans or shorts are too tight on your waist, that means they're too small.
Lainah:  Not really though Mom, because I can still squeeze into them.

So I then proceeded to explain to her that just because you can physically make your body squeeze into something, it doesn't mean that it fits.  After a little while, she saw my point, we took her cute little jean shorts and put them away for Addy to wear in a couple of years.  Then I had a funny thought pop into my head. 

It went like this:

Dear American society, I would like you to know that I have now just taught my 5 year old daughter how to know when clothing really fits, and when it's just plain too tight.  So in a few years, there will be one less teenage girl....or in a few more years there will be one less woman in the world who is out there prancing around in jeans that were meant for a person several sizes smaller than themselves.  I mean come on...no amount of glitter and glitz on back pockets changes the fact that your jeans are just way too tight for anyone's comfort!

Sometimes I make myself laugh.

I Hope This Never Ends

Today I went to Taylor's 8th grade basketball game.  He played so hard, and had a great game!  After the game, I waited for him to change and come out of the locker room to see if he wanted to stay for the next game or come home with me.  As he came out of the locker room and went over to the stats table, I just had to make mental mention to myself of what a handsome kid he is.  He came out in his white shirt and tie, clean cut kid, and...there's just no other way to say it...he's handsome.

Taylor, October 2013

After he was done checking his stats, he came up to sit by me in the stands.  His peers his own age were sitting in a section to the right, including a large group of cute girls.  I always notice when I'm at his events that the girls watch him.  I know of a few secret admirers but I've been sworn to secrecy.
  He still seems to be oblivious to it, which I'm thankful for...but it's pretty cute nonetheless. So far, none of them have been brave enough to come talk to him when he's with me, which I think is funny.  However, he says that a lot of the girls tell him how pretty his mom is, which again, I think is cute. 

Anyway, he sat down and we were just talking about his game and laughing and having a great time.  Lainah was sick at home so I hadn't planned on staying at all, but it seemed like Tay wanted to talk about his day and his game so I stayed.  Sometimes you don't get to choose the moments when  your kids want to talk so as a parent you just have to watch for them and snatch them up as they come, convenient or not.  I sat with him for the first half of the second game and then said I needed to go...but before I left, Taylor put his arm around me and gave me a hug AND a kiss on the cheek and told me he loved me.  He escorted me down out of the bleachers and then he went back to the game.  It was one of those moments as a mom that I felt so thankful to have such a son.  I'm so proud of him and all of his many accomplishments and abilities, and hope that I can always be the type of mom that he's proud of too.  Proud enough that he doesn't try to hide the fact that I'm his and he's mine. 

Sunday Afternoon Drawing Contest

Five year old Lainah decided on Sunday that we needed to have a family drawing contest.  So anyone who wanted to join in could.  Brooklynn was busy working on some jewelry-making and chose to just watch.  Lainah decided that she would be the judge and would also tell us what to draw.  She told us there would be 4 pictures total.  Here they are:

 

 Matthew's tree

 Matthew's horse

 Matthew's ladybug

 and Matthew's sippy cup...and then his airplane that he just drew because he wanted to.

 Next we have Lainah's own artwork:  her horse, tree, sippy cup, and ladybug.  (Even though she was judging she said she had to draw too.)

 Rachel's:  horse, tree, ladybug, and sippy cup.

 Then Taylor's:  tree (that has something in it...maybe an owl?) his horse, ladybug, and sippycup.

 Next was Mom's:  horse, tree, ladybug, and sippycup.

and last but not least, Daddy's (Andy):  Sippycup, horse, ladybug, and tree. 

 

By the time we were done, we were all laughing at our own drawings, it was a blast.  Lainah just cracks me up with all of her fun and imaginative ideas.  By the time everyone was finished, she had forgotten all about the judging part and never did choose a winner!  Silly, silly girl!  Her little mind went right from the drawing contest to, "when are we going to make brownies?"  I like the way she thinks.

Was that Supposed to Come Out?

Saturday night, we were watching the Olympics as a family.  Taylor was sitting in front of me on the floor and I could see that he was working on something in his mouth.  I just thought he was biting his nails, which is a nasty nervous habit of his...

Tay's molar.

A few seconds before I was going to tell him to "stop biting"...he popped a tooth out of his mouth.  He turns around and says, "hey!  Look guys!"  I was pretty shocked because I didn't even realize his tooth was loose.  Andy, however, was classic.  He calmly looked at him and said, "boy...I sure do hope that one was supposed to come out."  Poor Tay looked pretty worried until Andy cracked a smile at which point we all laughed.  He even had me going this time.  What a stinker!

The next afternoon, I was getting dinner ready...and noticed this same yucky-looking molar sitting on top of my microwave.  Yuck!!!  I told Tay to remove his icky tooth and put it under his pillow like normal people.  He just grinned and said, "I wanted to make sure the tooth fairy noticed this one."  Sheesh.  I pointed out that this one had a small cavity in it...so it's value was void.  So there.  I've picked up a few things by being the wife of a dentist. 

I Love to See the Temple...

I'm Going There Someday...

 

Rachel had her first temple trip last Thursday evening, February 13th, 2014.  What an exciting night for us and for her! 

We have taught her ever since she was a toddler the primary song, "I Love To See the Temple," we've shown her pictures of the beautiful rooms inside the temple and have explained to her all of the beautiful, sacred, and wonderful things that we get to do inside the temple, including getting married for time and for all of eternity.  We took her and all of our children to the Boise Temple open house a couple of times and had some very special experiences as an entire family as we sat together in the Celestial Room.  My girls were invited into the bride's rooms and were able to stand in front of the mirrors to see what it feels like to be a "princess" bride in the temple.  They still talk about that experience. 

So for Rachel's whole life we've been talking about the temple, teaching her about it, and preparing her to enter.  On Thursday night it was so wonderful for both of us to be with her as she entered it for the first time and to spend that evening with her and with Taylor.  (Tay had already gone inside before we could grab him for a picture!) 

I'm so proud of her for so many things, too many to list...but I'm so thankful that she has chosen to keep herself worthy to enter the Lord's Holy house on the earth.   She is such a loving, beautiful girl.  She has a light that shines in her eyes, and I know that she truly is a Daughter of God.  This night gave me a little glimpse of how amazing it is going to be to be there with her on her wedding day.   

I look forward to the day when each of my children are able to join us there...when we can fulfill the promise we made to each other the night of the open house when we sat together in the Celestial room and promised that we would all join there again in a few years. 

"I love to see the temple, I'm going there someday. 

To feel the Holy Spirit, to listen and to pray. 

For the temple is a house of God, a place of love and beauty. 

I'll prepare myself while I am young.  This is my sacred duty. 

 

I love to see the temple.  I'll go inside someday. 

I'll covenant with my Father;  I'll promise to obey. 

For the temple is a holy place where we are sealed together. 

As a child of God, I've learned this truth:  A family is forever."

( ~I Love To See the Temple, Primary Children's Songbook pg. 95)

Southwest Idaho Honor Choir

Rachel was chosen by her choir teacher to participate in the regional honor choir this year.  We were so excited for her because she loves to sing and perform.  She's been going to evening practices with a few of her friends for the past few weeks, and then working on her music at home as well.

 She did so good, the choir sounded beautiful, and it was so much fun to watch her perform.  For one of the numbers, she was chosen to be in a small group who performed a dance.  She had such a cute, beautiful smile on her face the whole time...we could tell that she was really enjoying the whole experience!

 They wouldn't let us take pictures during the performance,we only got 20 seconds in between numbers so I just had to stand up where I was sitting halfway back in the auditorium!  I was thankful for my camera and long lenses.  :)  Here she is with the treble choir.

 Here are the treble choir girls.  There was also a mixed choir, which these treble girls took part in during the last number. 

 Here Rachel is with the group from her school, East Valley Middle.  Her choir teacher is on the top left, Mr. Olsen.  He is so great and makes choir so fun.

And here she is right after the last number.  She's standing by two of her friends from East Valley, McCall and Lauren.  She had such a great time, and we were so glad that as a 6th grader she had this opportunity!

Do You Want to Build a Snowman?

 

There's a few things I've learned over the years, two of which are:  In Cleveland, Ohio between the months of October-May...if it is a bright sunny day...then you drop everything and go outside to soak up the sunshine and enjoy the wonderful weather.  In Nampa, Idaho between the months of November to March...if it snows?  Then you drop everything and go play in it because chances are...the snow will be gone within a couple of days.

 

It snowed Saturday.

 

So Addy jumped on the snowy trampoline.

And we built a snowman.  A huge ginormous snowman.

And Addy got sled rides from Rachel.

And Andy benchpressed the snowman's head.

Andy and Taylor proved their strength...

for a little while anyway...

thus the bench pressing of the head...

we learned about simple tools...using a ramp to build the body

Everybody helped in some way...

Lainah had to test out the view from way up there!

And there he is...our huge amazing snowman.  We named him "Ohuge" instead of "Olaf."  Complete with flower pot hat...plastic binoculars for eyes (my own personal touch there) and using Matthew's Army National Guard cup for a nose.  Oh, and Rachel's purple scarf.  Matthew was at a friend's birthday party so he missed out this time. 

 

It's now Sunday. 

The snowman's hat, binoculars, and nose have all fallen off...it's all hunched over and will soon fall forward onto what used to be it's face.  :)  Its a good thing we went out and played in the snow while we had it...because it will be gone soon!

I Made Your Lunch!

 

When I'm really on top of things, I have the kids make their own lunches at night before bed.  Last night, Taylor was really tired from a long day of school and then basketball practice, after school chores, and piano practice...by bedtime he was just tired.  Lainah was so sweet.  She went downstairs to where Tay was reading a book on the couch, and told him that she was going to make his lunch for him.  I asked her if she wanted help and she told me no.

 

Lainah 5 yrs:  making Tay's lunch

She got out the chunky peanut butter, the strawberry jam...the whole wheat sandwich rounds which Andy and I eat but Taylor can't stand...and the LETTUCE.  She then happily hummed a song while she made Tay his fabulous PB&J&L sandwich.  Yep, she put crunchy lettuce on it then slapped the "lid" onto the sandwich.  (She was going to get the MUSTARD out of the fridge and put some on as a finishing touch, but I suggested that maybe the sandwich was already just perfect the way it was.  She was SO proud of it and SO excited for Taylor to open his lunch the next day...I just had to document this. 

This morning as he headed off to school...and after he made himself another two sandwiches on white fluff bread, he asked me what he should do with the sandwich Lainah had made him because he didn't want to hurt her feelings.  I told him he should take it with him.  He should take the lettuce out and eat it anyway...or give it to a friend.  I wish I could be a fly on the wall in the cafeteria today to see his friends' reaction to his little sisters' offering of love. 

These kids are so awesome...I never would have thought to put lettuce on my big brother's sandwich.

You're Turning into a Granny!

I have recently taken up crocheting.  My grandmother is amazing at it...she can make just about anything with yarn and a crochet hook.  My mom can do it, and has made beautiful blankets over the years.  I'm left-handed and they are right-handed so I guess I let that get in my way.  A few weeks ago I just decided I was going to teach myself to do it so I went and bought a book, some yarn and a few hooks and away I went.  I actually really like it!  It's so relaxing to do it while I watch a movie or tv at night...and funny enough, I'm doing it right-handed. 

 

Matthew: Christmas Eve 2013

Well, trust my Matthew to notice my new skill and make a typical "Matthew comment" on it.  He took one look at the little blanket I'm working on, sighed, smiled a big huge Matthew grin and said, "uh Mom?  You're turning into a GRANNY!!!"  Now every time I pick up a crochet needle...I laugh...and then check the mirror to see if my hair is still brown.

And So it Begins...

Except that this really began nearly 5 years ago, right after we moved to Nampa.  We graduated from dental school in 2009, moved to Nampa and rented a small home while the practice was being built and until we figured out where we were going to live.  A piece of property with an old farmhouse came up for sale just a short distance up the road from the practice.  This property was NOT livable in it's "as is" condition.  However, we both saw it as a unique opportunity to eventually not have to lease our space but to own our own building.  Not having enough money to pay off student loans that total more than the average American's mortgage x2, build a brand new dental practice, buy a home for our family to live in, AND buy this property...we decided yet again to make a family sacrifice and make this small, run-down farm house livable.  We have been living in it for the past 5 years...and we frequently joke that as soon as we move out it's going to fall in...that the only thing keeping it together is a lot of faith and prayers.  (and a lot of hard work, patience and continual repair work.) 

 

Our new land...looking towards back of lot

 Throughout the past 5 years, we have been searching for the right place for our family to live.  Andy and I have literally walked through every single existing home on the market that met our search criteria.  We've looked in Meridian, Middleton, Eagle, Star, Caldwell, Nampa, Kuna, and done the rounds on these areas again, and again, and again.  Nothing felt right.  Until about a year ago when we fell in love with a short sale on the bench above Middleton.  That felt right until the sellers (who had 3 lenders) wanted us to pay off one of the lenders outside the deal under the table.  It was one of the hardest things I've done in my life.  I wanted that house with all my heart.  It was like someone had built it just for me...but I couldn't reconcile the fact that I no longer felt good about it.  Neither did Andy, so we took another leap of faith and walked away from the deal. 


where the house will sit, looking out front door

 The search now continued, but not one single house was even tempting.  People would call and tell us about a new home on the market and we'd look into it and it just felt flat.  No excitement, no interest whatsoever.  This has gone on for over a year now.  We've been praying continually to help us find a good place for our family, and fasting, and attending the temple trying to figure out where to go.


looking south...potentially where the walkout will be

 Over the Christmas break we decided to "fire" our realtor because he didn't have any interest in showing us land and lots.  He just wanted to convince us to buy something we didn't love.  We made an appointment to meet with a builder whose homes we have noticed over the past few years and have really loved his work.  That was the first thing that felt right in a long time.  As we sat down with him, we both just knew that this was the man who would build our home for us.  Funny enough...as we chatted with him, we figured out that he is the builder who had built the short sale house that we both loved and didn't get.  After that meeting, he assigned us to "go find some dirt."  And so we did.

 Ironically, I first drove through this subdivision right after we moved to Nampa, and I loved it then.  None of the middle lots with the great views were for sale at that point.  They were already sold.  I had kind of forgotten about this place until just a month ago, and as I was driving around out by the lake...there it was!  Two of the view lots were now available!

 We ended up putting an offer down on this view lot and closing a cash deal the following week.  It could not have gone more smoothly or effortlessly.  So we are now the proud owners of 4 1/2 acres of prime view dirt above Lake Lowell in the Deer Sky Subdivision.


first semi-clear day after a 2 week inversion...we were excited to go walk it!

Our new address will be 12587 Deer Ridge Trail.  We like it.  It has a great sound to it.  It feels like us.

 The lot is surrounded by 3 rail vinyl on 3 sides (we were super excited about that) and the lot is perfect for a walkout basement so we can take in all the great South and Western facing views.  We were still dealing with an inversion in these pictures...but you can see the Owyhees to the West, the Lake is to the North, more Owyhees to the South, and the Boise foothills to the East. 

 The kids' favorite part so far?  "IT'S HUGE!!!"  They are super excited to run and play as much as they'd like, to eventually have horses...room for a basketball court, swimming pool, etc.  Taylor is super excited to live close enough to the lake that he can ride his bike to go fishing. Andy and I are excited to plant our orchard and garden, and to build Andy's shop that he's wanted forever.  My favorite part?  When you stand where the house will sit...you can see in every direction...and the noise?  Well there isn't any.  Peace.  I can finally have peace and quiet when I'm at home.  I'm so excited to get off of Greenhurst.


along the back fence

This has been a long, difficult process...no one really knows or even begins to understand what we've been through these past 5 years...this has been our trial...and it feels so amazing to realize that we're finally coming out of it.  I'm so thankful to my 6 children for being patient with us...for enduring living in a tiny 1800 sf home with only 3 bedrooms and 1 bathroom...for going without so many things so that we could pay off loans faster and save up the money we needed to start this new project.  I plan to write a post with more full detail of the trials we've endured over the past few years because I want my children to know what it took to get to where we are, and so that we can always remember the lessons we have learned from these trials we've come through.  I want to point out how others made it easier, and, unfortunately, how many others who should have helped to make it easier made it harder...I want my children to learn from others' mistakes so that they never treat people the way that some have treated us.  Nothing was given to us, nothing was easy, no help was offered.  This was 100% our family and our Heavenly Father...and I want them to remember that we came through this together.

And so the first step of the build begins...we now have dirt.  Next is to design house plans...I think we'll put in a few more bathrooms...