Weekend in St. George

This past weekend my sister and her husband invited us to spend a couple of days w/ them in a timeshare in beautiful St. George. It was a great, relaxing weekend, and a wonderful chance to just get away for a few days. We loved the condo we got to stay in and loved even more the pools! Bryan and Matthew are both total water babies - like their Dad - and could've spent the entire time in the water, especially since it was so HOT! But we made time to do some other things as well.

Saturday morning we went to Snow Canyon National Park for a walk and a picnic. After that we visited the St. George temple, and later the Brigham Young house. We ate at In-N-Out Burger and a yummy Mexican restaurant and played lots of cards. We ended our stay by watching the Eurocup Soccer Finals... and Spain won (first time in over 40 years)!! David was SO happy, and I was glad because it meant he'd be in a good mood for the ride home. =)

It's always a bummer to come home after a vacation - even just being gone for a weekend - but my mom gets here this week so that gives us something to look forward to! Thanks, Heather and Jake, for inviting us to join you for a fun weekend!


You gotta love random gas station attractions...

Bryan and Jake in the pool - check out those palm trees!

Enjoying Snow Canyon National Park in 100+ degree weather!

Bryan's poses were all the same. He either insisted on doing his strong man pose, or he wanted to look like he was skateboarding. =)

Visiting the St. George Temple (we were grubby from our hike - kind of embarassing)

Matty sleeping on the way home =)

Patience

Patience is not one of my strong points! I have a hard time not being able to control the timing of things in my life (like a lot of people, right?). We found out this morning that David can't start the agent training until October, and then he won't be opening his agency until May of next year! For some reason I thought he'd be able to do the training right away, but now we just have to wait and keep doing what we've been doing for another three months. The good thing about it is that it allows him time to really find the right location for his agency. We'd be tempted to just pick any old spot that's available right now, but now we're kind of forced to sit back and wait for something that really suits us. And it's not that I'm unhappy w/ my life right now... I was just getting so anxious to move on w/ things!

It has been interesting these past couple of days as we've debated whether or not we want to stay in Utah or go elsewhere. We've talked and prayed a lot, and it's feeling more and more like we're going to stay here! I didn't grow up in Utah, but after living here for 12 years now, it really does feel like home, so I'd be really happy to stick around. I know everything's going to work out for the best, and I'm sure there are benefits to taking things slow that we can't even recognize or foresee at this time... I guess I just have to focus on making the most of my life right now, and stop thinking that our "real" life is yet to start. I know that what we're doing now - making decisions, striving towards goals, and finding joy in everyday things - is what real life is really all about, right? I just need to keep telling myself that. (Patience, patience, patience!!)

He made it!!

David had his big interview w/ State Farm today and passed w/ flying colors! He's been accepted as an "approved candidate" for an agency, and now we get to decide where we want to live and set up his office. It's scary, because this is where we could live for the rest of our lives, or at least for the next 30 years or so. Crazy! David still has to undergo some training, so he won't actually be opening his agency until next year some time. But he is now officially a State Farm employee, which at least gives us some stability... We're so excited, and I'm very proud of David for working so hard and doing such a great job!

Water babies

Both Bryan and Matthew love the water!! We took them swimming for the first time this year (Matty's first time ever) and they had a blast. It probably didn't help Matty's ear infections too much, but once he got used to the cool water he didn't seem bothered by it at all. We'll have to spend a lot more time at the pool in the warm months to come! Thanks, Heather and Jake, for inviting us to come swim with you!

Here's a little video of Matthew splashing. Just ignore me in the background...

Happy Father's Day

I'm so grateful for the wonderful men in my life! I'm glad for days like today that remind us to reflect on all the things the fathers in our lives do for us.

My dad has always been such a good example to me of hard work, sacrifice, and serving others. It seems there's not a person in the world that he wouldn't befriend or try to help (remembering the time he invited the homeless lady at the lake to our Thanksgiving dinner...). He's also very wise, and always has surprisingly good and well-worded advice! He's a man that doesn't stop until the job is finished, even if it means staying in the garage or at his computer all night long. I don't know how he does it! I wish he were closer so we could see him more often, especially now that he's "Grandpa!" Bryan can hardly wait to "build" with him again - hopefully sometime soon!


I'm also grateful for my father-in-law. He lives in Spain, so we don't get to see him often, but the times that we do are very special. He's such a good man and would give anything for his family. He's very patient and easy-going and loving. I admire and respect him very much. Bryan sure misses him! He talks all the time about flying in a plane over the big mountain to visit "Buelo" and "Mali." =)


David is also a wonderful father! He does so much for our family! I'm afraid I take for granted all the times he comes home tired from work and immediately feeds the boys dinner, bathes them and gets them ready for bed. He's always so quick to help out, even if it's multiple times in the middle of the night! The boys love playing with him, and no one makes them laugh more than him. He's so good about spending time with us, whether it's going on walks or just going to the grocery store. I'm so grateful for his love and how much he values our family life. I feel so blessed to have him as my husband! Thanks, babe, for all you do!

Going on walks

Like I mentioned earlier in a recent post, David and I have begun walking every morning w/ the boys. Taking walks is one of my favorite things, but it was too cold to go until a few weeks ago. Since it's warmed up, we've only missed a day or two, and sometimes we go in the evenings as well. We go partly because it's a good thing to do as a family, partly because we need the exercise, and partly because it's free! We usually go around 4 miles, and we walk fast enought that I've got to pump my arms and really swing my butt to keep up! Yes, I look totally nerdy, I'm sure. =) But it's my kind of exercise, and I love that David and I can keep up a conversation while we're at it.

Going on walks has actually always been an important part of our relationship. Like a lot of couples, when we met at BYU we had a hard time really getting to know each other hanging out in our apartments surrounded by roommates. So even though it was Febuary and freezing, we'd bundle up in our big winter coats and walk around the blocks south of campus. All of our most meaningful conversations took place on those walks, and that's how I really fell in love with him. I remember specifically one night when we were walking past the duck pond and David was expressing his excitement for his future in international business (which he ended up not pursuing) and asked if I'd be willing to follow him to Spain or Argentina or wherever else his job might take him. I remember telling him that I would follow him anywhere, and that whole conversation was a huge turning point for me in our relationship because I realized that I really meant what I said! Without our walks, I don't think our relationship could have progressed as well as it did. My sister even wrote a song about our walks that she sang at our wedding - "Walk with Me."

Ever since then, every time we've had serious things to talk about (and the weather's nice enough) we wait and talk while we walk. When we lived in our first house in Provo we walked countless times on the sidewalk that loops around the Provo temple. At our last house we walked the jogging path that surrounded our community. And now we get to walk through the beautiful neighborhoods around our development. It's fun to see the different homes, and we spend a lot of time talking about the kind of home and life we want when we finally settle somewhere (hopefully soon). Of course we also point out to the boys all the bugs, ducks, dogs, planes, creeks, and whatever else we see that's so fascinating to them. Thankfully they don't mind riding in the stroller and seeing all there is to see. It's great!

So as long as the weather's nice, David and I have the time, we've got things to talk about, and gas prices stay so high... don't be surprised to see us truckin' along the side of the road w/ our trusty double stroller and boys in tow. Just don't laugh at my power-walking moves - I'm hoping that if I swing my butt enough I'll lose some flab in the process. =)

Immunizing??

Matty had his one-year checkup today, and aside from a couple of ear infections (3rd set this year!) he's doing great. I was pretty stressed about the shots he was scheduled to get, though. Of course I've heard about the recent studies showing that some forms of autism may be linked to certain vaccinations. I also read a book called "The Vaccine Book" that was very informative. The author supports the idea of getting immunized, but suggests that we space out the shots more so it's not so much at once. I went to the doctor today thinking that I would just say we want to wait a little bit before doing the scheduled shots... Unfortunately (or fortunately - who knows??), I'm not good w/ confrontation, and when my doctor assured me it would be okay and subtly pressured me to go ahead w/ the shots, I caved in. Mostly I believe her, but there's a small part of me that's afraid he'll be the one in so many thousand that reacts badly. And wouldn't you know that today on Ellen there was a mom talking about her child beginning to show autistic tendencies a day after his one-year shots!

My doctor did say one thing that I thought was interesting and helped me feel a little better. She said recent studies show that babies who point their finger at things or people around 12-15 months of age will not become autistic. I guess pointing reflects a strong tendency to interact w/ others, or something along those lines. Matthew's always pointing at things - David and I have commented on it often - so that's good to know. It's weird that such a simple gesture can indicate so much about a baby's future well-being.

Anyway, I totally understand the importance of immunizing, but I'm bugged that as parents we're put in the hard position of choosing between two possible evils - getting a disease if you don't immunize, or having problems if you do. It's tough! But I guess like most things it doesn't help to worry, and I can only pray that my boys will be fine and stay strong and healthy, with or without their shots.

One-year-old Matty

• He LOVES taking baths!! He gets so excited when he hears the water, and as soon as he's in he flops onto his belly and kicks and splashes water everywhere.



• He smiles all the time! All we have to do is look at him and he breaks out into a huge grin. =) He does have a bit of a temper, though, so when he's upset about something he lets us know!



• He HATES getting his diaper changed. He squirms around so much that the last few days I've had to learn how to put on his diapers while he's standing. I know this is typical of lots of kids, but Bryan never put up nearly as much of a fight at such a young age!



• He still nurses 3-4 times a day, and just recently (within the last month or so) stopped wanting to nurse at night! Now that he can drink milk, I'm hoping we can start dropping his daytime feedings as well!



• He loves fruit leather, peas, wheat crackers, granola bars, yogurt, and cheese.



• He won't go to sleep without his Primary song lullabies playing (thank goodness for the "repeat" button).



• He bounces his right arm up and down when he hears music that he likes, and he's just begun to "sing" along (without words, of course).



• He loves his pacifiers.



• He's still really sensitive to loud sounds or voices and he gets his feelings hurt very easily. =)



• He loves looking at (and grabbing) pictures on the wall.



• He likes to play "fetch" w/ toy balls.



• His favorite toys include Bryan's soccer ball, the circular saw from Bryan's tool bench, toy cars, and his new ride-on train.

Happy Birthday, Matthew!!

Our Matty's one year old! It's hard to believe it's only been a year... it seems like he's just always been a part of our lives. But he's grown so big and changed so much! Part of me wishes he would stay small and cuddly forever, and then the other part of me can't wait to see what he's going to learn to do next. He's such a sweetheart, and I'm so grateful that he's a part of our family!

Journal entry

I'm teaching a mini-class on traditional journal writing tomorrow night at Enrichment, and it's ironic because I'm the worst at writing in a journal! When I decided a little over a year ago that I would start keeping a journal, my hand started hurting so badly after several minutes of writing that I decided instead to start this blog. Typing is so much easier for me these days. (Which is kind of sad, actually. Handwriting is becoming a lost art!)

So here I am, a year later, and I just really enjoy blogging about our family. I realized in preparing for this lesson, though, that I'm not writing enough about the day-to-day things that are so much a part of our lives! I need to do more it's-all-about-the-little-things entries. They're the most fun to go back and read, anyway! So here's a recap of the day-to-day happenings from this past week...

• David and I have taken up walking! I know it's kind of wimpy exercise for some, but for us it's a nice way to get moving and start the day. We just take the kids in the stroller and go until we run out of time. It's been a lot of fun seeing the neighborhoods around where we live, and it's a great time for us to talk.



• Twice last week (like we do every week) I took the boys to my friend Carlene's house to give her a Spanish lesson. She's hired me as her tutor, and we just cover different grammar things or vocabulary each time I go. The boys play with her boys and usually don't cause too many problems... It's a fun way to visit w/ her, and a great way for me to stay up on my Spanish!



• Matthew started waving! That's one of about three tricks he can do these days. =) He's mostly content just watching Bryan or playing with balls or kitchen supplies. He cruises around furniture, but he doesn't seem to be too interested in walking yet, which is just fine with me! He's also been sick - for like the 5th time since January! I'm not sure if it's allergies or what, but thank goodness for humidifiers and saline drops!



• This past week Bryan has taken on a different persona just about every day. At church on Sunday he was introducing himself to people as Diego (from "Go, Diego, Go"), and some people really thought that was his name, with David being Spanish and all. =) Silly kid. The other morning he told me his full name was "Sportacus Franklin Diego the King Bryan." Wow! I said it once and told him I'd just be referring to him as Bryan for short.



• The boys and I went to my friend Cathryn's house to hang out while it was raining one morning. She lives in our same condo building and has two little boys, one who's a little bit younger than Bryan. I showed her how to set up a blog, and Bryan loved the chance to play with new toys! It's so great to have other moms around to talk to about the ups and downs of being a mom! It really is therapeutic to be able to talk about the things going on w/ my kids with someone who understands! =)



• David and I have been working a lot on the business plan he's got to present to State Farm as part of his application process. His big interview is in just over a week! We're VERY excited. David has lots of good ideas for his own agency, so I'm sure he's going to do great.



• We went to our Stake picnic this past Saturday. I had to cook 8 lbs. of taco meat and ended up with a whole jar full of grease by the time I was done! It was disgusting. Needless to say, I chose chicken for my tacos. They had an inflatible bouncing castle for the little kids and Bryan had a blast! He loved it! It was a great way for him to expend some of his never-ending energy!



• On Sunday, Grandma Willes, Heather, Jake, and Javi came over for dinner, and we had yummy chicken, pasta salad, jello, jumbo blueberry muffins, and chocolate french silk pie! It was wonderful. Grandma drove up from Orem for the first time all by herself, which was a big accomplishment for her. We really enjoyed having her visit! And it was fun, as always, having the rest of the gang here. Bryan LOVES all the attention, and insisted on Jake playing soccer or pirates with him the whole time they were here. I ended up with a migraine and went to bed at 8:00, right after everyone left. I slept until morning! Nothing like fun family-time and a good night's rest!

All in all, it was a good week. I have to say I was kind of moody for a few days (that's me being honest in my journal writing), but David's just so good w/ me and puts up with it all so well. =) He knows when to just leave me alone and not take me seriously. I'm grateful to have such a wonderful man, and such fabulous kids, too!

Here are some pics from last night...

Food Storage

After years of thinking about it, we've finally started our food storage! I used to think we didn't have room to store anything, or enough extra money, but a few months ago I started really feeling like we needed to do something. When David was looking for a car, I told him that if he got a car, I'd get to use some of our savings for food storage. Being the good husband he is (and because he really wanted his car), he agreed. So for the past few months I've been reading and getting advice and figuring out what we'd need for at least a 3-month supply. I'm glad there are people out there that know what they're doing, because I've been completely clueless! Anwyay, we've mostly gotten things we eat on a regular basis, but this last Thursday I went the LDS cannery for the first time and canned some staples to have for long-term storage. Then today we went to Costco and got about 130 lbs. of wheat! (They sell Lehi Roller Mills wheat in sealed 45-gallon buckets.) It's certainly not a year-supply worth of food, but for us it's a really good start! We've got food and water now spread all over the house. In addition to what we've got in our little storage area, we've got things piled under beds and in closets, and as you can see from the pic, even in the bathtub! (The tub was David's idea, and since we never use that tub for anything, I think it was a good solution...) Now I'm just anxious to get a wheat grinder and figure out how to use some of the things we've bought! I've tried out a few new recipes with our canned chicken, and I'm reading up on ways to use beans more. =) If anyone has some good suggestions, send them my way!

My Soccer Stars

(David has a little foul problem...)

Update on "Going Green"

So I've continued to read a ton of things on living an eco-friendly, toxin-free lifestyle, and I have to say that I really like and agree with most of the things I've learned. There was just so much that I wasn't aware of before! This past week I started buying organic produce, milk, ketchup, and anything else we eat a lot of around here. I decided that paying a little bit extra is worth it for my peace of mind. I'm looking more and more into cloth diapering, or other alternatives to regular disposable diapers (hybrid methods), and using all-natural cleaning products around the house. My biggest thing this past week, though, has been reading up on BPA and lead in plastic toys. As you can see from the pics, Matty loves putting things in his mouth! I know that toxin levels in toys are generally super low and probably won't cause him any harm, but still... His birthday's coming up so I've decided to look for wooden toys that we can get him instead of the typical Fisher Price toys I'd normally be inclined to buy. They have some really cute things out there! I figure it's worth it while he's going through the put-everything-in-his-mouth stage...


I have to admit that for a day or two I was really freaked out, looking around at our house and all the chemical-laden or plastic things we use in our daily life and wondering how we could ever escape it all! I imagined seeing commercials 20 years from now, kind of the like the ones they show of doctors smoking during kids' check-ups back in the '50s, where they're illustrating how people in our time didn't realize the harmful health effects of such things until it was too late! I've since calmed down, though, and decided that things probably aren't as bad as I think. We're not going to die from sleeping on non-organic sheets or using regular lotion every now and then... Like several people commented in response to my last "going green" post, I just need to tackle one thing at a time and do what works for us for the time being. Just learning about eco-friendly alternatives has been so enlightening! I feel like I'm in a much better position than I was before to be able to help my kids be as healthy as possible and maybe help the earth out a little bit while I'm at it!

In addition to lots of other blogs, here are some sites that have been helpful:

Safe Mama

Environmental Working Group

Smart Plastics Guide

The Green Guide

Z Recommends

Funny Bryan pics

As I've written already several times, life with Bryan is never boring! His creativity never ceases to amaze me!

Here he's using the baby bouncer as his "tow truck." No matter how many times I put the bouncer away (as Matty's WAY too big for it), Bryan always finds it and uses it as some kind of vehicle.


This was Bryan's fire station for a few days. He would come into Matty's room in the mornings and drive his "fire truck" in that position to entertain Matthew until I would drag myself out of bed. =)

As a Little Ensteins fan, he loves instruments! This is his how he plays the violin...

This is him "skiing" (or skating, depending on his mood) around the kitchen. He goes around saying "Ski, ski, ski.... ski, ski, ski..." - always saying it in threes.

Here he's showing off the cool knight costume Uncle Javi brought for him one day. The first day he was the knight and I was the evil witch, but when he started saying, "Hey, Witch, come here!" I decided that didn't sound too good... so now I'm "Princess." =)

(Yes, he has drool marks in most of these pictures. He's almost 3 1/2 and we can't get him to control his drools!! Poor kid...)

And here's a picture of Matthew, just because we love him, too!