Jacob's side-kick

Last night (Dec. 29th) we sat down to read scriptures and Jacob climbed into the chair with Dad & Emilia so he could be by the baby.  To say he LOVES Emilia is an understatement! :)  He is so happy to feel better and that we are now letting him within range of his beloved little sister once again.

As he was so excited to sit by her, we had to laugh as she was snuggled on Bryson's chest in her little potato-bug pose, he started to talk to her and in her sleep she lifted up her head and turned it to the other side.  Jacob would have none of this - he wanted to look at her, so he hopped up and went to the other side of the chair and Bryson scooted over so Jacob could have the perfect view of Emilia.  Again he started to coo and talk to her, and her little head bobbed up and again in her sleep she turned it away from Jacob.

We started to chuckle and Jacob hopped up again, switched places on the chair - moving Dad over once more - and sat down to talk to Emilia.  And, to our great surprise she lifted her head once AGAIN and turned it to the other side --- this time our chuckles became laughter and Bryson Sr. and I were laughing so hard we were crying.  Jacob knew the drill - he jumped up moved over so that he would be able to look at her and we watched to see what Miss Emilia would do.  She put her head up, it bobbed for a few seconds and then she lay it back down....looking at Jacob.  He got his wish in the end - he got to sit and look at his precious sister during scripture study :)

What a love he has for her - and thankfully in the end she must have realized that he was going to be persistent and stay until he got to gaze at and be by his sweet little sister.

I only wish I had had the camera on and taping...it was absolutely hilarious!
{These aren't pictures from this experience, but from the first day Emilia was home}

make 'em laugh

Last night I was laying in bed exhausted from being very pregnant.  Bryson came in after putting the kiddos to bed, and laid down and we started to talk.  Then I looked over and stated to laugh and could not stop.  When he asked what was so funny, I told him to look down at his legs - for whatever reason either the way the bed was made, or how he was laying - it looked like his legs were fake!  It was like the scene in the Wizard of Oz when the house lands on the wicked witch and just her legs are left sticking out - all flat and at weird angles.  

Bryson started to laugh at the sight as well, which made me laugh harder and we both sat there laughing until tears were streaming down our cheeks.  

And that's when I realized I haven't laughed in a long time, and that I need to laugh more and more deeply.  There is something so healing, powerful and that makes you feel really great like a good laugh. 

This picture and memory still give me a good chuckle! :) 

Band of Brothers

As I've dropped and picked up the kiddos during these first days of school, I try to listen while they each simultaneously tell me all about their day.  I need a few more pairs of ears during some moments!  At some moments some are more talkative than others - but they usually warm up at some point on the drive or during the time we are preparing for dinner and want to share what game they learned in PE, the story they are reading aloud in class, or what they are doing at recess.

The conversation with Bryson Jr. happened while we were talking about recess & P.E. yesterday - while we were talking I found out that Jacob's class also has P.E. on Tuesday like Bryson, which is good to know so that appropriate shoes & clothing can be worn on those days.  However, more important than wearing the right shoes is what Bryson said after....

"Yeah, I didn't know that Jacob had P.E. on Tuesdays so I waited and waited to play with him at recess, but they didn't come out because they were still in P.E."

"That was nice of you to wait for Jacob - was this the first day you wanted to play with him?"

"No.  I play with him every recess.  Well, not lunch because we don't have the same lunch recess, but I play with him for morning & afternoon recess.  {pause}  It's more fun to play with Jacob."

I sat there quite surprised by this news that Bryson has just shared.  I wasn't necessarily surprised that Bryson admitted to enjoying playing with Jacob - I have seen them at home play with each other, and I know they have a great time.  It's also, I've seen them at home tease and get on each other's nerves in a major way.  What surprised me the most is that they were choosing to play with one another when not at home - when it's completely open to choice and there are dozens of others to play with.

As I've thought more about this, I can see that there is the personality of each child that factors in.  Jacob is more social in nature, whereas Bryson takes awhile to warm up to a group & on more than one occasion has come with a broken-heart when playing in a group to say that no one will play with him, or that they "don't get" how he wants to play.  This is why we prayed that Bryson would get accepted into this program that he tested into at the new school - it's a program for Accelerated Learners and our Bryson's brain is sharp & quick...but it tick-tocks in a different way than most of the children I've seen him play with.  He doesn't do as well in large groups, but he is a very extroverted child.  He loves to have interaction with others - he wants to tell you a joke, or a fact about something he read, and he really enjoys the physical play of sports and the typical playground games.  Although he is older than Jacob, I think he enjoyed the fact of knowing that his brother was at the same new school and that he could join in and play with Jacob - it's something that he knows, he is comfortable with.....and he enjoys it!

A few weeks ago in Sunday School we had our lesson on the Army of Helaman.  In talking about these amazing young men and all that they stood for, one mother pointed out that this is what we want from our children.  We want to teach them in our families and in our homes & we want them to go out and choose good because it's what they know is right.  She noticed that not always will our children be quick to obey in our own homes or make those choices that they have been taught (to play nicely with their sibling!) - however, she said that it makes her heart so incredibly happy when she hears from others that her children are choosing the right when outside the home - when they are at a friend's home, or at school, or on a trip with the youth, etc.  She said, "When it comes down to it - I'd rather have my children slip a little at home but go out in the world and make the best decisions, because that is where it really counts".

I have thought about what she shared, and then with this situation with Bryson & Jacob I realized of course I feel the same way!  I love when the boys (and Madeleine) all get along together at home.  The sound of them playing together in harmony is a heavenly sound!  However, knowing that they have found that their friendship is what can bring them together outside of our home - on the playground of a new school - that is heaven itself.

I'm so thankful for all the many reasons that it might have happened - that Bryson & Jacob have found out how to be friends and rely on one another in a situation that counted for at least one - but perhaps both of them - while they were away from my watchful eye.

As a closing - there is reality as well :)  Bryson Sr. told me the other night that while he and Bryson Jr. were running errands they were talking about our family & home and Bryson Sr. asked him if he was liking sharing his room with Jacob (we started getting Jacob's old room ready for the baby).  Bryson Jr.'s response was -

"Well Dad, I just don't think it's a good match."

Bryson Sr. asked him what he meant by that & Bryson Jr. went on, "Well, I mean I don't think Jacob and I are a good match.  He likes to have a light on when he goes to sleep & I like it dark."  He went on to give another example or two - which Bryson Sr. couldn't remember - but he said that Bryson had really though this out - why he and Jacob probably weren't the best bunk partners.

And yet, as we tell him, his is great practice for when you have a college roommate or missionary companions...and yes even in marriage when you have to work it out with the person you are sharing some space with.  You have to learn how to make it your match :)

These two boys will do just fine together in life - even in the moments when I hear them teasing, yelling at one another or are chasing each other to the point that the other fears for his life....I'll take heart in knowing that at they found their match on the playground.

That makes me one happy mom.

Pregnancy Diaries - 24 weeks

I've found that I enjoy telling people how much more I have left to go in the pregnancy rather than how far along I am - the lower numbers always sound better to me :)  It's much more fun to hear ONLY 16 more weeks to go - rather than I'm 24 weeks along.  It may not make a lot of sense to others - but to me that number dropping down is golden! 

Madeleine said the other day that we need a nickname for this little one, which I agree with...I just don't know what it should be.  I'll try calling her Sweetpea for now & see if that sticks :) 

As far as news & updates - I have to laugh that once the nausea leaves there are a few weeks before the heartburn kicks in.  I forgot how much I dislike heartburn.  I now sleep propped up in bed & have brought out the famous body pillow to try and use it to get comfortable.  Comfortable is a very relative word when pregnant....I don't know if I'll ever be truly comfortable again until Sweetpea is here :)  I'm a little frustrated that the heartburn seems to be making its' big comeback right when my tomato plant is about ready to burst forth with 50+ tomatoes on the vine.  I love my ginormous tomato plant - I refer to it as a Little Shop of Horrors plant...it just keeps growing & growing - it's trying to grow over our stoop where we get in the back door!  Anyway, I have to be careful how many tomatoes I eat - the cherry tomatoes are the only ones ripe at the moment, and so far the heartburn hasn't been unbearable...but it's getting close.  With Jacob I chewed on Papaya Enzymes which helped soothe the burning feeling - I hope that will work again & I'm going to look for other options as well....with needing to eat often in a pregnancy it really doesn't help to have the heartburn that goes along with eating! 

While school shopping we've been browsing the racks of little girl clothes.  Madeleine definitely likes to help me look for things for Sweetpea, but I've been surprised at how the boys will look for things as well!  We haven't bought a tremendous amount, but enough that when I open up the closet in the baby's room I smile to look at the clothes that are hanging there with their bright colors - pink, orange & brown seem to be a popular color choice right now & I was suckered into a great sale at Macy's for a few outfits that were all on a really great sale.  I love Macy & their sales so much that you'd think Macy is a name we'd consider for Sweetpea...but oddly enough it's not on my list.  

The last week I've been exhausted at night - all the running around that we did in shopping to get ready for school clothes or trying to get in some last activities before summer break ended left me super tired!  I also noticed that my right leg was having more issues with the Sciatic Nerve, to the point that the top part of my leg often feels tingling or numb.  It's really an awkward pain!  The midwife said that usually problems that you have in other pregnancies, will sometimes show up earlier in your subsequent pregnancies.  How true in this case!  Now that the kiddos are in school the plan is for me to go swimming or do water aerobics a few times a week - swimming is routinely suggested for helping to lessen the impact of the Sciatic Nerve.  I hope so!  

I haven't had any real cravings for food -- just food that tastes really good :)  A few weeks ago when I was running Jacob back & forth to the Granite School District I remembered that Yanni's Greek Express was off the freeway....and I stopped there twice in one week for their Chicken Souvlaki.  It was so good....the combination of the chicken, pita and lemon rice was mouth watering.  Other than that - fresh fruits, veggies have been a love.  My sister made this ranch dip when she was out visiting & although I had told her I'd rather have a salad before dinner...I sat at that veggie tray and probably ate half of it & enjoyed ranch dip on much of the veggies!  I usually don't indulge in a dip - it's just more calories than I need, or I'd rather use those calories on chocolate :)  However, this dip was so good that I made my own here at home and for the next two weeks I would munch on celery & other veggies with some dip.  It's funny how things taste good in phases - right now, the dip doesn't sound that appetizing!  Veggies are still a big YES!  

I'm not quite sure what I'll do when the weather cools off - first of all, it will feel wonderful and I can't wait for cooler weather but I don't look forward to figuring out what to wear.  I still live in dresses & I suppose I'll have to figure out how to work these maxi dresses or some other kind of comfortable dress once the weather turns cooler.  

That's all for now on the baby report.  I have an appointment tomorrow at the midwives.  I like the appointments there as they are very low-key & it's mainly to keep track that I and the baby are healthy.  She can be quite the active little girl during the day - I still forget at times that it's a baby making all the movement in my tummy and that I don't just have an upset stomach!  Oh - there is one funny thing that keeps happening - whenever I get up, it doesn't matter if I have just eaten or I had something an hour ago I get a hiccup.  It's usually just one - sometimes two at the most - but it's almost EVERY SINGLE time I get up.  I can't figure it out - thankfully it's not a case of hiccups each time, because that could get old.  I don't know that we ever figure out some of the quirks that happen when we are pregnant - they are just things that we learn to live with....and then hope they are gone after the baby comes!  

Hallelujah!

There will be so much more that I write on this in the upcoming weeks - but for now, I just had to share the quick blurb that I posted on Facebook, because I'm over the moon ecstatic and know that all things do work out for our good.

2 weeks of back & forth with the School District, the old elementary school, finding a new school, applying for a program, getting accepted to the program - being thrown out of the program because they didn't realize Jacob's age - 3 different days of tests and a lot of prayer and faith....we just received word that JACOB STARTS 1st GRADE ON MONDAY! All the kids are starting at the new school, and

 Jacob is back in the Dual-Immersion French Program! In the end the school got their test results which showed he was testing well into a 1st grade level & that we as parents were on par asking for him to stay on grade level for what he has done and not go by the cut-off date for Utah. It was well worth all the work....but I could use a vacation or at least some ice cream to celebrate!

Make it do - or do without

I've learned a new skill this summer which I'm rather pleased with....it's the beginning stages of canning or food preserving. I say beginning because I'm learning a lot each time I can - it's a process & although it's not hard, it does require some learning and a time investment :)

It all started with an apricot tree that is in our yard here that was producing more apricots than we could keep up with! The kiddos & I figured out a way to "pick" the fruit as so much was falling to the ground & then some was wasted. We tool out the kids parachute & held it open while someone would take the rake & shake down the fruit which we'd catch in the parachute. Such a brilliant idea that saved the fruit & allowed us to pick dozens at the same time - I think Madeleine thought of that one!

The only dilemma is that with all the fruit we needed to do something with it! I talked Lauren into making some freezer jam with me & then we somehow realized that a favorite spread/jan they use of apricot & jalepeno jam should also be made. These were perfect to start out with as they can be considered low-key canning :). We did a few batches each of the freezer & jalepeno mix that day while the cousins played - it was fun to work with someone & we ended up with delicious results!  This is just the freezer jam, I forgot to take a picture of the apricot & jalepeno jam...

The apricots kept coming & I couldn't swing another day right then to make jam, so I froze the remaining apricots to use at another time. I filled 4 huge zip-loc bags with apricots - perfect solution for later use.

When Celeste came in town a few weeks later, we spent her last afternoon here making the apricot & jalepeno jam again....this time I figured out to blend the jalepenos & some seeds into the jam for more of a kick - wow! Celeste showed me some tricks to sterilizing the jars & lids - I realized I was still such a novice!

Since I was on a canning kick I decided to attempt peaches. There was an incredible sale & suddenly 50 lbs. of peaches were sitting in my kitchen begging for attention. Jacob & I are huge fans of sweet peaches - we probably each ate around a dozen in the next few days! The peaches were starting to turn quickly so I froze a lot & then borrowed Leslie's steaming pot for the bottles & bought a lot of jars to get this project rolling. It ended up that I didn't start the process until late one evening - Bryson stayed up to talk with me & then donned an apron to cut peaches. We finished most of the peaches around 11:30pm - I just wanted to stare at the jars full of beautiful color....but we were tired! I finished the last small batch in the morning & realized we had canned 13 jars. It seemed like so much more - but when I really looked at those jars I wondered where all the peaches were --- still look at these beauties!  I chose to do a really light syrup as I wanted to lessen the amount of sugar used - which I read when doing a light syrup the peaches float more to the top.  It cracks me up to see them all bunched up at the top of the jar!

I'd like to do another round of peaches before they are out of season....and if I stay this ambitious I'd like to do applesauce in the fall - that is one of few fruits Bryson Jr will eat so I'd like to make my own so I know he's getting what I hope is the best.

I have a lot to learn about ways to be a better homemaker & as some call it a domestic diva --- but I find it fun & enjoyable to learn....and the best is that I love knowing I did something that we can enjoy.  I also have two tomato plants that are growing at a wild pace (pictures to come as I seriously have never seen tomato plants grow this big (Bryson and I joke that the one is the plant from Little Shop of Horrors)...I think that either a salsa or some kind of tomatoes will need to be canned in a few weeks as well!  

Golden Days Celebration

A few months ago I put my name in the lottery for tickets to attend President Monson's 85th Birthday Celebration at the Conference Center. Amazingly enough, my name was randomly selected & we received the 4 tickets that were sent to us. Since we are a family of 5 the 4 tickets might have been a problem, but I assumed that children under 8 years of age were not to attend, so I told Jacob we could ask someone to watch him that night. Right away he asked if he could go to Drew's house - his very best friend lives around the corner & 3 houses up from us & Jacob is sure they are not only best friends, but twins living in separate families :)

Thankfully Drew's mom was happy to have him over & off he went for a fun "late over" while Bryson & I took Madeleine & Bryson Jr. to the celebration.

The co-hosts were Steve Young and Jane Clayson Johnson - she stated at the beginning that the theme was chosen in reference to a quote that President Monson loves by Scottish writer and poet James Barrie, "God gave us memories, that we might have June roses in the December of our lives."  The Conference Center stage was adorned with huge bouquets of beautiful yellow roses - symbolic of the "golden" days of President Monson's life and also that yellow is his favorite color.

It was a beautiful performance with 3 guests that are well-known singers/performers. We realized it's not often to see a line-up like that on one stage....and that the performance is free is just amazing! The Tabernacle Choir & the orchestra are so talented - my favorite song they performed was 76 Trombones from Music Man, it was absolutely phenomenal! Bryson & I were blown away by Dallan Vail Bate's performance of 'Bring Him Home' from Les Miserables....he tours with their performing group for the show & he sings that song with such passion & beauty - such a clear & strong voice that carrier throughout the center but also so soft as well. I wish we could see him in the actual play!

The kiddos had a great time as well - the performance was an hour and a half and started at 8pm...they were tired after but talked about all their favorite parts.

We are very lucky to live in an area where these events take place & that we were able to go this year! I want to put my name in for every performance they have...which I will, but having your name drawn is never a sure thing so we'll enjoy to the fullest what we are able to attend!

they ask for pictures not to be taken during the performance - so this is after we were standing for the 2nd ovation and as people were leaving...I figured since all the lights were on & they had stopped recording that I could snap a photo - the quality is less than stellar since it's with the phone and not my nice camera....oh well, it still shows how incredible the Conference Center is!