Friday, August 31, 2007

13 Years Ago Today...

I entered the MTC as a full-time missionary. I like to remember and have my own little celebration of gratitude because that August 31st changed my life forever.

The prayer in my heart says, "Thank you, Thank you, Thank you, for allowing me that 18 months of service to feel the Lord's love, to feel His love flowing through me to those I served, and to have the opportunity to see the divine in my brothers and sisters".

Here are a couple of MTC photos, actually the last one is the airport on my way out. I know, I don't look any older then I did 13 years ago:)



Wednesday, August 29, 2007

Beautiful Season

Sometimes my thoughts wander to a different life.



A life with sleep-filled nights. A life where mouths don't depend on my hand or breast to feed them.



A life where all household members have perfected use of the lavatory.



A life where 'dry clean only' and uncomfortable shoes are everyday wear.



Then I return, to my cottage home, which houses little hands, many mouths, curious eyes, and inquisitive minds.



This home has floors to clean, cheeks to kiss, laundry to fold, hands to hold, and children to grow.



Will I miss this season when it passes?



Will I miss cries of "momma!"?




Will I long for a little body to cuddle and console?



Will the chasing and squealing be warm memories?



Of course.




The 'sometimes' need to be fewer and this 'season' more enjoyed.



For I have been blessed.

Tuesday, August 28, 2007

Nate is Great, even at 4 + 28!






Happy Birthday Nate (Nate is the kid with the curly hair)! That is how old you are, right Nate (sorry you have to share your birthday post with Andy in the picture, but these are my favorite)?

I have the best (and most diverse) brothers in the world. Nate is the oldest of the 5 boys, and he was an enthusiastic childhood playmate. My early years were packed with imagination, color, and passion, thanks to Nate's brilliant vision.
I love you Nate. You bring vibrancy, humor, creativity, and tenderness to our family.



I love this picture, it's simultaneously so 'children of the corn' and dad trying to be arty.

Monday, August 27, 2007

Quid Pro Quo



My version of a Mezedakia platter

+




Brad's mouth and tummy

=



Mom's new shoes.

*In reality, this isn't the way things work around here, but I'm never going to stop trying.

Friday, August 24, 2007

The Luckiest Girl

Let me tell you about my friend, Kelly. Kelly and I have many things in common. Kelly and I are almost the same age. Kelly and I both served missions. Kelly and I got married at the same old age (old for Utah Valley that is). Kelly and I both married James Brad-somthings. Mine is James Bradley, her husband is James Bradford, both are known as Brad. Both of our Brads attended Orem High. Our first two children are the same age. My baby is 6 months older then her baby but I'm sure they will still be friends. Kelly and I both live at Traverse Mountain. And best of all, Kelly gets me (I'm not sure if this is really something we have in common because I don't know if I get me).
Kelly, not diamonds, is a girl's best friend. Today she picked up a babysitter, brought the babysitter to her house, had the babysitter sit for our 4 oldest (we took our babies), and then took me to lunch for my birthday (she offered a few weeks ago but Norah was sick). Kelly and I lunched at a cute boutique in Highland called Dear Lizzie. She bought me...

A yummy pesto sandwich,
A gorgeous cupcake,
and a decadent Fizzy Lizzie (a bubbly drink with whipped cream on top).




Dear Lizzie's boutique and food must be all the rage here in the north end of the valley because Kelly and I ran into a number of acquaintances. First, I saw Arley sitting next to our table. Arley is a family friend from Michigan. Her husband baptized my parents. Next, Kelly saw Mrs. Pitts, her student teacher who taught her senior high school history class, sitting right by us. Mrs. Pitts took the photo above. Lastly, as I sat down to eat, I looked across to the table in front of me (OK, so there are only 4 tables in the whole joint, we were all very close together), and saw Brad's ex-girlfriend, Sarah. No, it's not like that. She and Brad are still friends and we have exchanged Christmas cards over the years, besides she is married and has 5 children. Brad's brother Wade, had an outdoor movie party on July 24th. I just missed Sarah and her family that night because of the early exit I had to make in order to avoid being the lady in the back with the crying baby that everyone rolls their eyes about. Since I really have never had a chance to speak with her, I took the opportunity today. She is lovely and kind. Brad has good taste.

After a much needed outing, I've decided it is good to leave one's home once in a while, especially to do something other then look at toilets, tubs, doors, and stone.
You are a treasured friend and a kindred spirit Kelly. Thank you, thank you, thank you.

Thursday, August 23, 2007

Pre-Blog Life

I'm busy today cleaning the back yard(and the house)for Brad's pack meeting so I'm posting old pictures that haven't been beyond our office computer. My dad gives me a hard time when I am not 'creative' in my boring posts. So please forgive this boring post. I did however help create some of the children in these photos.



Norah's original 'artwork'.



Norah wearing all the underwear she got for Christmas.



Brad's family Christmas party right after Lulu was born.



Sweet Baby Lulu.



Some Sunday morning in 2005



Daddy and his girls.



Our beautiful daughters.

Tuesday, August 21, 2007

Brad has a Mean Boss


Brad's boss at Griffiths & Turner is a slave driver. I call his boss almost everyday (I'm bold like that). I usually ask Brad's boss questions like, "can Brad come home now?", "can Brad talk on the phone?", and "can Brad meet me somewhere for lunch?". Brad's boss usually answers, "nope". This is when I either throw my cell phone across the room (you can't slam a cell down on it's ringer so throwing my phone is the next best thing) or spew nasty curses under my breath about Brad's boss.
Brad's boss makes him work Saturdays and an awful lot of holidays. Christmas day is the only Christmas vacation Brad is allowed to take and don't even get me started on summer vacations. When pregnant with our children I've asked Brad's boss, "can Brad take paternity leave, please?". Brad's boss looks at me like I'm crazy and just shakes his head. This is when I should put some kind of hex on Brad's boss and his family, but I don't know that a hex would be in my best interest.
Sometimes I become frustrated with Brad's boss. I get right in his face and say, "don't you know that Brad has a family?", or "Brad's children need him to take them to family night on the farm or family night at the gardens!", or most importantly, "Brad needs to be home so we can have family dinner, for goodness sake". Brad's boss just keeps on saying that Brad has too much work to do and he cannot be spared.
If Brad's boss can't be reasoned with, maybe I need to look into ways to get Brad fired.

Monday, August 20, 2007

9 Things or Better Titled 'Self Indulgence'

My sister in-law Katie ( she is professionally known as Kate) tagged me. I'm not comfortable with going on and on about me, but I have to admit, I am intrigued when given the opportunity to read personal information on blogs if it is kept short and interesting. I will try to keep my '9 things' short, I cannot promise interesting.

I. Some of you know I served a mission in eastern Canada, what you may not know is that 6 months previous to entering the MTC, I wouldn't have been caught dead as a sister missionary. My parents are converts so consequently they were unable to serve missions. I grew up in a rural area which infrequently was blessed by the service of sisters. The one's I did meet and went on splits with were not 'cool' enough to persuade me to consider a mission.
The story about how I came to serve a mission is a little longer then I want to take the time for right now and will be saved for another time. I'll just say, I LOVED serving and am overwhelmed with gratitude constantly that the Lord allowed me to represent Him in the Maritimes.


Here I am surrounded by a few of my companions

2. The Sunday before September 11th, Brad and I entered the back country of Yellowstone on horse back. We were accompanied by a guide and Brad's Aunt and Uncle. We didn't see any other people until we came out of the back country the following Saturday. It was obviously a number of days before we heard the news. People had been mourning for some time when we were in our initial shock.


Us at Yellowstone

3. The night before my sister, Sarah, was married in the temple, Brad and I rocked out at an AC/DC concert at the E center. It was so fun and couldn't be passed up but I've always felt a little sheepish about the juxtaposition of the two days.



4. I back-packed western Europe with my friend Lisa. We flew 1st class from Chicago to Brussels on Swiss Air and it was luxurious. Later we were robbed in Rome, slept on a train that went from Rome to Pisa and back, were stranded at the Leonardo Da Vinci airport, were rescued by a roman named Lucia (this is where I first heard the name Lucia - Brad heard and liked the name from his time in Brazil - an easy pick when we named Lulu), and spent the night in a convent. I almost forgot, we were also caught in the middle of a broken bottle fight in the subway, so Room with a View.

Here we are shopping at the street markets in Florence.

5. I love, Brad loves, and my family loves Bombay House. We can't get enough of that fragrant, spicy Indian food.


Here we are at the Foothill Dr. location a few years ago for my mother's birthday.

6. I don't love pizza. It's too heavy for me. I make my own which is much lighter and I do enjoy that. But I think I am alone on the not liking pizza thing (I'm also not a big fan of chocolate or ice cream).


Sitting next to my sister pretending to love the pizza pipeline.

7.I used to like our dog, Tequila, before we had children, now I detest her. I cannot abide her barking, nipping, chasing the neighbors and defecating on my rugs. I count the days until Tequila has chased her last UPS man.


Loving Tequila in our pre-children days.

8. When I returned from my mission I took a job at a behavioral facility which will remain unnamed in order to protect identities. I endured many an *%# kicking during the 2 years I was employed at this facility. For some reason I believed that I should be able to endure anything after serving a mission. I still brace myself whenever I hear a loud noise or yelling. Not too many white middle-class 100 lb. girls can say they've been punched repeatedly and been paid for it. (Actually, in terms of what I was being paid for doing that job I more appropriately would have been considered living below the poverty line so maybe this and Crosby Minnesota explain my blue collar streak)


At a Christmas party with fellow punching bags.

9. I don't have a picture for this one but my 9th thing you probably don't know about me is, I eat more than my husband when I'm breastfeeding my babies. I enjoy eating way too much. All my pregnancies and breastfeeding have overlapped so I haven't fasted in over 5 years now. I'm afraid of what will happen when I have the opportunity again.

So now you're in the know.

Friday, August 17, 2007

Decidedly Indecisive

Since it went so well last time (thanks to the opinions being split down the middle, I still don't know what to do), my friend Kelly persuaded me to present my current dilemma to the public. Again, I know you are a small public, but you are all so stylish.
The floor plan of the home we are building is very open, too open for me in fact. When you are married you make compromises, my compromise was to go more open (Brad is going to read this and say "What!?, I thought you loved our floor plan?". I do love it, I love it very much, I am just used to 'designated' areas). So to avoid a vast area of wood in our 'open' main floor, I'm wondering if I should set the kitchen/dining area apart by tiling the floor in this end.

Here is a photo of the floor I am thinking of, except not checked. I was thinking of a harlequin (diamond) design. What do you think? I know , this is heavy stuff.

Thursday, August 16, 2007

Mixing of the Gene Pools

There is some confusion, at times, as to whom our children most look like.
For her first year, Norah was called "little Brad" by some(at the time this irritated me, I've since come to terms with it). Recently, I'm often told she looks just like me. This usually happens when Brad is no where to be found so as to represent the father's contribution.

Lulu, on the other hand, is most often thought to look like me. I can't see my parents without them saying something to the effect of, "you looked just like that as a child...except your hair wasn't as pretty". This is true of course, the golden cascades of light which fall around Lulu's face are the epitome of childhood beauty.

Now Abram...hmmm. He most certainly has the 'Wright' eyes, but the rest of him, I just don't know. People who know my brother Andy often see Abram and say, "He looks just like Andy". I'm not sure why Andy should get any credit for my child. Maybe if he babysat for me more often I'd be more comfortable with the comparison.

Anyway, you be the judge.

Who do you think our children look like?

Norah



Lulu



Abram



Dad



Mom



Or...Wild card Uncle Andy.