Current Events

So, yeah, I am a bit of a delinquent when it comes to blogging. The computer is still at my old home (which is only 2 miles away), but I have a very small window of opportunity to actually get out and run errands and so forth. I actually enjoy not having a computer about 80% of the time, I am a very productive mom, especially for being 33 weeks pregnant. My house is clean and organized (most of the time), my kids are not very neglected (most of the time), I've had a number of friends over for lunch (thank you Laurie W. for bailing me out), and I have time to think (don't ask me what I think about, I'm 33 weeks pregnant and my short term memory is broken). So, in the end, this is a mostly good thing, but I am sorry about not having time to comment on posts.

What we've been doing:



Someone graduated from preschool and had another celebration at Cabelas/taxidermy heaven.



Here are the proud parents of the prodigy.



Here is the prodigy telling dad that he is not allowed to sing along with her song.

Lets see,



Someone rode their scooter down the stairs...

and just as his face was beginning to heal...


he encountered the wrath of his older sister and acquired a new set of bruises and scratches.



For the past 18 months, nap time for my 2 youngest has unfortunately not signaled the onset of some much needed restful relaxation for me; instead it is the green light of Armageddon at the Griffiths' house. I have taken those 2 hours to try to teach my oldest how to do chores, but if you have been peeking through my window you may have thought that I was performing an exorcism of sorts. Without fail, for a year and a half, Norah would thrash, scream, whine, gnash, roll, foam, and simply not accomplish a thing. But, I am delighted to say, that we have rounded a corner. Maybe it is the new home, maybe it is the Cabelas graduation, maybe it's my mommy dearest routine, I don't know. What I do know is that she now makes her bed every morning, loads her dishes in the dishwasher, picks up toys, and even washes the lower cabinets of my kitchen.
Her example has even influenced our notoriously non-compliant child.



As long as I make a game of it, Lulu will pick up toys, crayons, and puzzle pieces. That's right, I'm a regular Mary Poppins, minus the magic and the sugar (which really means I'm even more fabulous).



I don't talk about Brad that much. My husband appreciates his anonymity and shies from adulation. He is one of the least pretentious people I know and I suppose this was a big reason I fell in love with him.
It is not unnecessary flattery to say that he is a hard worker and an incredible father. Even though he works very long hours and has a number of passions that he would love to pursue, his family always comes first. I am grateful to be the recipient of the fruits of such a good man. I love you Brad.

As for me, I like to eat cookies.



When I am done with my chores, or not, I eat them

here,



here,



and here while having deep conversations with myself that are soon to be forgotten, but I do remember that they are deep.




We are in a predicament though, we have no name for our unborn daughter. We could use some help. Please leave me a name or two that you would use if you could, were you having a daughter (and if you are don't leave it or else I may steal it). If we choose your name, I'll let you come over and have a deep conversation with me, or I'll send you an awesome gift, your choice.
Thanks.

All Apologies and New Leaves

So...it's been a long time. Are we still friends? I understand I haven't really been contributing all that much to the relationship lately but...I do have a few excuses.
Here they are:
We moved.
We moved while I am pregnant.
We moved while I am 35, pregnant and wasted.
We moved while I am 35, pregnant, wasted, and have 3 very young and intense children.
We moved while I am 35, pregnant, wasted, have 3 very young intense children, and we left our computer and internet service here at our old home for the time being.
The truth is I do sneak over here every few days to pick up a few things and check my email and your blogs. I've left very few comments because my kids sit screaming in the car or watching some mind numbing movie while I try to do these things. Not today though, the weather is actually nice so they are playing in the only yard we have at the moment. We are not looking forward to starting the landscaping process all over again.

Well, we've been in our new home for almost 3 weeks now, so I have a little pictorial of my favorite parts.
First things first. The front door. It is very red. Remember the name of the paint is Mickey's pants, as in Mickey Mouse. I love it, but I've been receiving some negative feedback about it. The direct TV guy came to the door and asked, "Did you pick this?". I said, "Yes, and I love it".
Anyway, what do you think?



One of the things I love about the home is all the natural light. Our main floor is pretty well lit from sunrise to sunset.












I love my range and back splash. It just may be my favorite part of the home.



I also love the island. It is authentic looking and it is large.



This is where you will find me, sitting. Sweep-sit-mop-sit-laundry-sit-dust-sit-eat a cinnamon bear-sit.



The kids' play area is such a pretty spot. It is sunny and happy.



The girls spend a lot of time here.



Abram can usually be found trailing the girls or me, whichever seems more exciting.



I've had a sort of break through since my computer has been at this house. I used the computer and internet too much. I sure get a lot done without it at my fingertips. But, in defense of my old life, I am working harder to be more organized and to stay on top of things in our new home (we will see how long that lasts). But I also miss my internet very much. I miss reading blogs, being able to find practically anything I want within seconds, and most of all, the connection to the world and all of you.
I will hopefully be able to be connected very soon, thank you for standing by.

Stuff

I considered myself fortunate; I've always preferred the savory to the sweet. I was never a big fan of cake, ice cream, pie, pastry, simple carbs, or sugar.
That is until my baby girl reached the 20 week gestational mark and I was freed from so called 'morning sickness'. Now, I am shamed by the contents of my pantry. Chocolate milk, cinnamon bears, and angle food cake monopolize my conscious and unconscious thoughts. Today, I purchased half a dozen donuts from the bakery-all chocolate (and I only shared one). The night before last, I prepared lemon-cheese blintzes covered with homemade blueberry syrup for dinner. Last night, at book club, I was offered an extra-large helping of strawberry shortcake which I would normally turn down. About 5 minutes later, I was shocked to find that I had devoured the whole thing.



Tuesday, my sister in-law, Kate, and I took our children to the tulip festival at Thanksgiving Point.





It was lovely, it was warm, I worked up a bit of a sweat, and on our way out, Kate bought some water, and I left with one pound of fudge-solely and selfishly intended for moi'.



In other (totally unrelated) news; I've already gained 24 lbs. this pregnancy, and I'll only be 26 weeks tomorrow.

So to all of you who live close to me, quit lying to me by telling me how good I look. Just be my friend and bring me a donut.



*We will be moving on Saturday. Who knows how long it will take to have our internet service up and running. If you need to get a hold of me over the next week, please email me before Saturday and ask for my cell phone # if you don't already have it. Thanks.

Snow Storm Elixir

Is there a cure for the blues on yet another January day in April, when there is much to pack, an ever growing belly (accompanied by ever growing pains), and 3 fitful children who desperately need spring?



Yes. Lemon Curd.



Sweet. Sticky. Sublime.
Half licked off of fingers, half spread heavily on something equally as unhealthy (whats a few extra pounds when pounds are multiplying at the speed of light).



And so we carry on to see another day, just as cold, but slightly brightened by the citrus sting of our lovely yellow treat.

Top Reasons For Being A Bummer Of A Blogger

The house. We are in the final stages of finishing our new home and it has monopolized way too much of my time. This home would have been a much better choice if I had no babies, wasn't pregnant, and was 50.
If you are interested in seeing the recent progress of the home, click here.







Abram has learned to throw temper tantrums. I'll just leave it at that.



Because of the above two reasons, I have felt the need to spend any extra free time with these two instead of parked in front of a computer.



And lastly, I'm brewing something; and this thing has taken possession of me, body and soul. Notice the excruciatingly large bags under my eyes. I'm not kidding when I say that my physical resources are exhausted by noon.

For all of you who don't know, the boy who turned into a hermaphrodite has now been confirmed to be a girl. I know because the perinatologist confirmed that the penis is now gone.

I will try to be a better blogger, but I can't promise anything. I do read you and will endeavor to leave more comments.

One more thing...



the kitchen faucet showed up with the French words for hot and cold instead of English on the handles. Will you think I am less pretentious if I purposely (of course purposely, I would never mispronounce anything) mispronounce froid and chaud?

5 Years

Highly anticipated and long overdue, Norah's birth took place 5 years ago earlier this week.
It's hard to forget those 2 rainy days. After 2 reassuring and gentle midwives labored with me for hours and hours and hours, one brave midwife (backed by my husband, mother, sister, mother in-law, and sister in-law) coached me through 3.5 hours of pushing, to no avail. Finally, one OB, armed with a pair of forceps, swooped in to rescue poor Norah from further damage than one giant sized hematoma. He also (thankfully) saved my life.
My first born arrived chunky, bruised, and initially, with only inward beauty. In fact, my highly tactful brother called her a troll. Luckily, Norah has blossomed into an outward beauty as well.

The blueberry pancakes we had the morning of Norah's birthday are a treat we only indulge in a few times a year.


You beat egg whites separately until stiff and gently fold them in at the end resulting in very light and fluffy cakes.



Grandma threw Norah a little birthday party at her home, complete with a sleeping beauty cake.






As a show of her new found wisdom that 5 years brings, Norah chopped the very front of her hair to the root. When I asked her why she did this, she replied, "I wanted to be beautiful like you momma". Hmmm....

Thank you for making me a mother Norah; for making me more than just Martha. Thank you for constantly pushing past the limitations I believed existed. Thank you for awakening in me, untapped, unknown, and unconditional love.

To My Sisters

Last night we celebrated the anniversary of the birth of the Relief Society. I was asked to share the feelings I have about the organization with the sisters of my ward (congregation). I decided to post what I had written because my story is not unique; I'm sure thousands of women have had similar experiences. I also want to publicly thank the good women who surround me. I love you and I will miss you.

There was a time when I certainly did not appreciate being a member of the Relief Society; I was unable to comprehend it's value. I disliked the old Relief Society manual and felt injustice in the fact that as a woman, I needed to be taught lessons on 'gardening in small places' while the brethren studied the doctrine of the scriptures. I was young and naive, and maybe had a slight feminist streak. I felt the 'domestic' lessons trivialized who I was.
I need to add that at this time, I was unmarried, didn't have children (good for me, seeing as I was not married), felt very little inclination toward domestic duties, and did not yet have my own garden to attend to. I also had never received a calling in Relief Society; I had always served in Sunday school teaching different classes or had been blessed to serve with the young women. Then I moved to Traverse Mountain.



A few months prior to moving here, I gave birth to my first child and had decided to stay home to be her mother. All of my college friends had moved away by this time and my work friends were still working. I had to rediscover who I was as a woman and as a mother. New motherhood was a little confusing, and I found myself feeling isolated. Not too many months after moving to Traverse Mountain, I gave birth to my second child. After Lulu was born, I experienced a rather difficult battle with postpartum depression. As some of you know, postpartum depression intensifies the feeling of isolation accompanied by feelings of shame and worthlessness. After a few months of struggling, I decided that one of the ways I could help myself was to seek the companionship and support of the woman around me. By throwing myself into my callings I offered the women in my ward my love and my services and their support was returned 10 fold.



During this time I gave birth to my third child, Abram. I had a difficult delivery and recovery. Although neither Brad nor I solicited any extra help, the sisters of this ward with whom I have been blessed, supplied me with an endless amount of food and love. We weren't necessarily in need of food, it was the love that accompanied the food that made the difference. There were numerous visits and phone calls. There were consistent offers to take my older children. Instead of isolation and depression I felt a constant outpouring of love and support. Instead of shame and worthlessness, I felt joyful and blessed. I was constantly reminded of the Lord's love for me because these women brought it with them to my home.




Relief Society no longer seems frivolous. It has been a number of years since I have felt that the organization trivializes woman; it is quite the opposite. The love of the women of Relief Society and the opportunity to reciprocate and initiate that love empowers me. I am empowered with the knowledge that I am in the service of my Savior when I serve those around me. In the sisterhood of Relief Society I have found the knowledge and power to be a better sister, a better wife, a better mother, and a better daughter of my Father in heaven. I am so grateful for the love and the service of the Relief Society and for the opportunity to serve. I am so grateful for my sisters and I love you, thank you for helping me understand my divine worth.



P.S. I now have a garden and would love to hear more lessons on gardening in small places.