Thursday, January 17, 2013

Fire Burning Eyes

I'm so tired lately. Joe is sleeping better (well not really, but my ear plugs are helping me to sleep a little better). Poor baby just can't seem to figure the whole sleeping thing out to save his life! or mine for that matter! Most days my eyes feel like they are on fire and are begging me to allow them to close. Somehow though, actually I know exactly how....it's completely divine intervention that is buoying me up to carry on. It's a miracle if you ask me.

January so far has been a whirlwind and I'm not sure why. Let's see...the highlight I think was Aaron flew to Disneyland for the day with his company. Yep, Clark Ivory of Ivory Homes flew the entire company to Disneyland just for the day. Lucky ducks! Kids were sad....and so was I; just a tad. Someday. Someday.

Otherwise, this month has been full of ridiculous amounts of pictures of this adorable baby.



And cleaning up his messes. Already, at 7 months. I'm in trouble.

We are surviving the bitter cold we've had this winter, and unbelievable static, and picking our nose...well, at least Abby is.
I cut Nathan's hair and did a HORRIBLE job! So glad he's 5 and doesn't care yet. (this picture does not do it justice).
Witnessed a calf being born on the way to the grocery store. Thought is was so cool. Poor cow was born on a freezing, cold day. Kids didn't think it was nearly as cool as I did.
We were the coolest parents for one day when we set our camping tent up in our living room and watched a movie.

We are seeing the future of a moody teen-age daughter when at 7 years old she's making signs on her door so we won't come in because she was mad about something.
Abigail is the most anxious child to learn to read. Wish her brother shared half her enthusiasm.
We could work on food manners a bit however.
Time is flying by. Can't believe January is half over.

I stole this poem off a blog I like to read. This is what I'm aiming for in this here, 'me home.


Home

BY EDGAR ALBERT GUEST
It takes a heap o’ livin’ in a house t’ make it home,
A heap o’ sun an’ shadder, an’ ye sometimes have t’ roam
Afore ye really ’preciate the things ye lef’ behind,
An’ hunger fer ’em somehow, with ’em allus on yer mind.
It don’t make any differunce how rich ye get t’ be,
How much yer chairs an’ tables cost, how great yer luxury;
It ain’t home t’ ye, though it be the palace of a king,
Until somehow yer soul is sort o’ wrapped round everything.

Home ain’t a place that gold can buy or get up in a minute;
Afore it’s home there’s got t’ be a heap o’ livin’ in it;
Within the walls there’s got t’ be some babies born, and then
Right there ye’ve got t’ bring ‘em up t’ women good, an’ men;
And gradjerly, as time goes on, ye find ye wouldn’t part
With anything they ever used—they’ve grown into yer heart:
The old high chairs, the playthings, too, the little shoes they wore
Ye hoard; an’ if ye could ye’d keep the thumbmarks on the door.

Ye’ve got t’ weep t’ make it home, ye’ve got t’ sit an’ sigh
An’ watch beside a loved one’s bed, an’ know that Death is nigh;
An’ in the stillness o’ the night t’ see Death’s angel come,
An’ close the eyes o’ her that smiled, an’ leave her sweet voice dumb.
Fer these are scenes that grip the heart, an’ when yer tears are dried,
Ye find the home is dearer than it was, an’ sanctified;
An’ tuggin’ at ye always are the pleasant memories
O’ her that was an’ is no more—ye can’t escape from these.

Ye’ve got t’ sing an’ dance fer years, ye’ve got t’ romp an’ play,
An’ learn t’ love the things ye have by usin’ ’em each day;
Even the roses ’round the porch must blossom year by year
Afore they ’come a part o’ ye, suggestin’ someone dear
Who used t’ love ’em long ago, an’ trained ’em jes’ t’ run
The way they do, so’s they would get the early mornin’ sun;
Ye’ve got t’ love each brick an’ stone from cellar up t’ dome:
It takes a heap o’ livin’ in a house t’ make it home.




Thursday, January 10, 2013

Why I love having a baby named Joe.

I have to admit, I didn't LOVE his name at first. (isn't that awful to admit?) I loved that Hannah named him, but I had a hard time imagining me calling an infant Joe. Seems so old. BUT, it is so fun to say things like; "Joe Joe, whad'a know,  the more you eat the more you grow!" or "Oh Joe, I love you so!" or "Let's go baby Joe". I think there's a couple more I say too, just can't think of them right now.
Things I'm loving about Joe at 7 months:
-Those big beautiful baby blues!
-He's finally sleeping a little better. Like only waking once a night instead of 3 or 4 times a night.
-He's talk, talk, talking and it's so darn cute!
-He can pull his pacifier in and out of his mouth.
-He continues to love his bath.
-He loves to sit up all by himself now.
-He still gives the best open mouthed kisses!
-Loves to eat rice cereal and hates store bought baby food.
-He's a master at his little play gym. He can purposely make all things work as they should.
Adored! Adored! Adored!!!

Tuesday, January 8, 2013

Remembering the Best of 2012

JANUARY
Hannah lost her first tooth

I found out we were having another boy!
  
FEBRUARY
Trip to Parowan with friends

I turn 33

MARCH
Spending one day at Farm Country in shorts and t-shirts

and the next sledding in our back yard.

APRIL

 Our Spring Break get-a-way


MAY
Aaron turn 37

Baby Joe surprises us and arrives on the last day of May

 JUNE
Nathan turns 5

JULY
Family Summer Fun

Twin cousins born

AUGUST
Celebrated 9 years of marriage!

Visiting cousins in Idaho

SEPTEMBER
My parents celebrate 50 years of marriage and we celebrate!

Joe is blessed and I feel incredibly BLESSED!


OCTOBER
So many Halloween Parties




NOVEMBER
Enjoyed a Pilgrims and Indians feast

Hannah turns 7

DECEMBER
Abby turns 4

We visited family in California and miss them like crazy!

Had an unforgettable Christmas and enjoyed the magic of Christmas with children.

That is a wrap on 2012. I'm so grateful for this blog to document our life. I know my blog appears that all is always rosy in our lives, and I'm so glad that for the most part it is, but we've had our share of concerns as well in 2012 with 3 career changes, and challenges with finances at times. I feel so blessed that those were are only hiccups and recognize that many others struggled much more than we did. It was a pleasure to assist others in 2012 and to also reflect on our own habits that we could improve on. Since we are a goal setting family we look forward to 2013 being a year to help others, strengthen our family relationships, get out of debt once and for all!, draw closer to our Savior by serving others, and improve our talents which bring us happiness. Hooray for 2013!

Tuesday, January 1, 2013

I have a dream....

I'm not usually a dreamer. I married a dreamer and his dreams are exciting enough for both of us for sure! However, I do have a dream. A part of that dream was fulfilled yesterday when I went to the American Heritage Private school in American Fork to pick up the new curriculum I just bought to home school my kids. Yet again, I recently had another one of those profound moments where I just know this is the path I'm supposed to take for our family. This journey to get where I am today is interesting to me. A year and a half ago I read a book that profoundly changed my way of thinking. The book, "A Thomas Jefferson Education" was so inspiring to me and rang true to my very core. This was the first time the thought of homeschooling was planted. I should note, I've NEVER wanted to home school before this book and I carried a lot of the same concerns or judgements as many do of those who home school. But a paradigm shift was taking place. And has been ever since. I've been in touch with, talked with, seen so many families who have taken the home school path. They have helped to give me the confidence to take the jump. I've seen that they aren't "weird" or "unsocial" and they are quite bright children and their families are incredible. My greatest concern has always been Hannah. The only way to know how she will take to this new way of learning, is to plunge in. She is social and thrives at her social time at school. I know this is a need of hers. I'm excited to network with the incredible families in this circle and for her to make friends with new kids. She's good at that.  I'm THRILLED for the opportunities to be involved with American Heritage School and secretly hope to be able to send my kids there in the future. (If anyone wants to donate $20,000/year to send my kids there, we'd gladly accept :o). But the most exciting thing to me about this, is how much I will learn as well. I feel like a giddy little school girl, I'm so excited! and nervous! and a little scared! This quote has given me some confidence though.

“Whatever you do, you need courage. Whatever course you decide on, there is always someone to tell you that you are wrong. There are always difficulties arising that tempt you to believe that your critics are right. To map out a course of action and follow it to an end requires some of the same courage that a soldier needs. Peace has its victories, but it takes brave men and women to win them.” - Ralph Waldo Emerson

So there's my dream. In part, coming true. And since today is the new year, this is also one of my greatest resolutions. I am not naive enough to know there will be plenty of hard days. Just last night I was dealing with children like this:
In their defense, it was almost midnight. Tired kids = grumpy kids!

So Happy, Happy New Year! May it be as wonderful as I hope!

Wednesday, December 26, 2012

Our Christmas Whirlwind

Christmas is magical with children, however, as I write this I'm counting patiently so I don't lash out at my children as they fight and cry and whine. Really, it's been over the top lately and I'm ready to pull my hair out! But, I digress....Christmas was wonderful! Since we no longer get together with my family on Christmas Eve or Christmas Day, Aaron and I have tried to create our own family traditions. I don't know why it's a challenge since I grew up having Christmas with just my family. We didn't go to grandparents either, and we'd love to spend Christmas in California with family there, but that is challenging too. I had WONDERFUL family traditions growing up. Some of my favorites were Christmas caroling on Christmas Eve, pulling taffy, sleeping together with all my siblings on the floor and waking up at 5:00 to open presents, egg-ala-golden-rod breakfast, listening to the Christmas story told by dad.

Here's what we did.
A yummy, candlelight dinner
A hilarious game of brown paper bag. (rules: stand on one leg and bend down to pick up bag with teeth. Cut shorter once everyone has a turn. Winner is the one who can pick it up without falling. Nathan won....Aaron was a super close second. I face planted into the ground).


Even Joe thought we were pretty funny.

Poor Abby was sick and couldn't play. She did a lot of this.
We finished our Advent Calendar of Scriptures about the Savior's birth. And put the food out for Santa's Reindeer.

Opened one gift. Hannah got a movie from Grandma Lombardo; Nathan got a cool pen from Hannah; Abby opened a necklace made for her by Hannah.

Lastly, it was "The Polar Express" movie and plate of goodies for Santa. We were skimpy on Santa's treats this year. I'm sure he didn't mind.

At 1:00 Santa finally came.
Luckily, our kids haven't adopted my family tradition of waking up at 5am to open presents. I think it was 8:00. I was terrible getting any good pictures of them opening presents. It was more fun to just watch them. They were SOOO excited!


Favorite gifts:
Sewing Machine for Hannah
Radio Control Helicopter for Nathan (he's in love with it)
A 'fur real' puppy for Abigail (couldn't flip this picture for some reason)

And of course, we had our traditional egg-ala-golden-rod
Aaron and I enjoyed going to the movie, "Les Miserables" and both cried. I sobbed, he cried. I'm so grateful for life, for freedom, for love, for family, for food, for a home, for kindness, for God.

We ended our night with singing "Away in a Manger" and "Silent Night" in the dark with a single candle. Magical!

So even though today is another day of chaos and crying, yesterday was wonderful and the Christmas Spirit was here. And I was happy. And it was a very Merry Christmas.