John is 35!!

the day John got to meet his mentor, Alan Kay

John's birthday sometimes gets lost in the hubbub around Charlie's birthday because they are only 4 days apart. John, being the selfless guy and wonderful dad that he is, is perfectly fine with that. But I still want to honor him for his birthday (even if it's a little late).

Johnny, you are amazing. You have such a brilliant mind, but more importantly, a childlike enthusiasm for things. It has served you well professionally (the "JohnnyT factor") and also as a parent and spouse. You are our biggest champions and your excitement fuels our confidence.

Your valiant struggle with depression humbles me. You are fighting so hard through the fog to be present for your family, and yourself. You are doing it. Even when it feels like you aren't.  I love you for it.

You are a peacemaker and friend to everyone. You are kind and gentle. You like to be at home with us. You can build anything and I'm looking forward to our summer of outdoor projects. 

You commute 1.5 hours every day to work and you get up before dawn many days to get there so you can spend the evenings with us. Thank you for that. 

You support me in my efforts and grand projects, you build fun things for the boys, you weep with me over our shared concerns.

We are so blessed to have you. 2013 is the year. Happy birthday. 

Charlie is 4!

Wow, my little one, that went so fast. You were a tiny newborn, then a chubby baby, then a funny toddler, and determined 3 year old, and now you are 4! FOUR! That is such a big boy age. You aren't babyish hardly at all anymore, which makes my mama heart ache and soar at the same time.

You can do so much- you are climbing trees and jumping ropes and saying things like, "I got it, Mom," or "Go help George, Mom," or "Put Georgie asleep, Mom."

You are quick to make friends and wanting Georgie to grow up a little more so you guys can play. Several times a day I hear you call, "Come and get me, George!"

You are coming into your own so beautifully and in your own perfect timetable. Some days I wonder about the mystery that is you, but most of the time I am content to just be along for the ride. I am so blessed by you in my life. I am so lucky to be your mom. You have taught me, stretched me, and made me into the person I am now. Thank you for being my buddy. The other day you told me that I'm your best friend and I feel the same way, my darling one. You are my best friend, my big boy, my Char Char.

Happy birthday, beautiful boy.

December BFFs

While Catherine and her kids were in town, we felt so lucky to get to play with them several times a week. By the end of their visit, Charlie and Elizabeth were pretty sweet pals. 

We had a few random pieces of lumber in the backyard waiting to become a sandbox someday. I set up a balance beam course for them and they loved walking along and jumping off it. I love little kids, they are so pleased by simple things.

 I also really love the difference between boys and girls. It is so innate and evident. It cracks me up. Look at Charlie- red rain boots that he wears everywhere, rain or shine, versus Elizabeth- patent leather red mary-janes and her dress up tutu.

 Another day Catherine and I went wogging (walk-jogging) around Sugarhouse park. Cat was a gem and would switch off pushing my much heavier stroller full of kids up the hills. But Charlie didn't like that she was pushing it instead of me, so we had to be sneaky. On a related note, I covet Cat's super nice stroller.

We played at the playground afterward and I let Che run up ahead. I love those gorgeous big clouds!

Another day, I had to run an errand for doTERRA in Highland, Utah. I packed up my kids and volunteered to take Elizabeth with me to give Cat a break (she was doing kid duty on her own for 2 months!) It was a long afternoon in the car, but they were really pretty good for me. That DVD player helps a lot in times like this. 

This is my favorite picture- Charlie and Elizabeth snuggling up together on the couch sharing a blanket. 

Setting up the Christmas tree

I love watching John putting up the tree with his little "helpers". It's one of my most favorite thing about Christmas. We are in that phase of our family where we are trying to figure out which traditions we want to continue, or start anew. It's kind of a fun time to be in. So far, putting up the tree on December 1st is one of our traditions. 

See the boys setting up the tree in previous years 2011 and 2010.

Scenes from a Thanksgiving

The baby woke at 5:00 am. was nursed back to sleep in the glider in his room, then awoke again at 6:30. Tired Mom hears him crying on the monitor and asks Dad to bring him into their bed. Baby (not very babyish anymore, but still nursing at 14 months old), nurses and snoozes with Mom for a few more minutes then is talking, poking, and crawling all over. Then Big Brother calls out that he's awake, too. He's three and half, and big for his age, but still loves sleeping in his crib, so he needs help to get out. Lucky Mom gets the best Thanksgiving gift ever when Dad takes both kids and she sleeps for another few hours.

The day is cold but clear and the sun will burn off the frost soon. Dad, working long hours at a new job with a 2 hour daily commute, takes the rare opportunity of being home during daylight hours to mow the lawn. He doesn't get very far when the whole family troops outside to "help". Boots and parkas over zippered, footed jammies. Big Brother likes to smash the grass and leaves down in the big garbage can. When no one is looking, he throws rocks in, too. Baby doesn't understand why he can't be right by Dad.

This moment, and all the other moments that are smashed together in our busy days, is what I am thankful for.

                                                                               ***

I wrote that on Thanksgiving morning. Sometimes I am just overtaken by how wonderfully blessed I am to have these three men (one big, two little) in my life.

It was an "off" year for John's family, but my family decided to have our celebration on a different day, so we ended up at Grandma and Grandpa T's house anyway. It was a small group, just Anne, Grandma, Grandpa, Uncle Jim and us. It was really nice! And the food was delicious. I made a cranberry jello mold that turned out quite well, actually.

My family decided to try something different this year. We had a "grown-up", fancy dinner on Friday night and put the little kids to bed. We currently have four kids age 3 and under, so our family gatherings are usually pretty crazy. It was nice to have only the adults (and Sam and Lily) to help with cooking and cleaning up and to just enjoy our meal and each other. My mom and dad hosted and my mom had the house and table decorated so beautifully.