Life + Running + The Hulk = Bedtime Stories

During the summer I decided I wanted to run a 5K.  I've never run one and so I figured I should.  I registered for a Turkey Trot (the morning of Thanksgiving) with two of my aunts.  I was talking to Austin about the goals I had for my 5K.  I was telling him how in high school I hated to run the mile (in the spirit of keeping this post family friendly, lets just say that certain aspects of my body make running quickly somewhat difficult.).  He agreed that he never liked to run the mile either:

"I was always slow, I could never seem to run faster than a 7-minute mile."

"Wow! Honey 7-minutes is really fast! How is that slow?

"There are people that run it in like 4 or 5 minutes!"

"We call those people Olympic athletes or cheetahs. I ran the mile in like 9 or 10 minutes.  So if you're slow then what does that make me?"

(Pause, smirk)

"Really slow."

(mock indignation)

"I like to think I'm fairly average, thank you."

(pause, I can see the wheels turning, and apparently he decided to concede.)

"OK."

My 5K was a success and even though I'm really slow...or average, I had a great time and have found my new Thanksgiving tradition.

A few weeks ago Austin brought up his childhood action figures from the basement for Calvin.   Austin taught Calvin all their names and now they are included among Calvin's favorite figures.  He often requests to bring Big Bird and Iron Man OR Hulk and Thomas (the train), OR Mater and Spiderman with us on car rides.  However, after a couple days Calvin managed to pull off Hulk's leg.  I mean how incredible is this guy really if he can't keep his limbs attached!?  We glued it and Cal pulled it off again.  He loves to repeat this pattern, for endless hours of dismembering fun.  He will gleefully shout, "I puh awf Hulk yeg! Fid it mommy!"
Now Hulk's leg is starting to turn up in the oddest places.  The dishwasher, the oven, the DVD cupboard.  I hope my son doesn't grow up to be a mob boss...but if he does, he'll be the cutest little mob boss there ever was.

I love to sit and listen to Austin read Calvin bedtime stories.  Austin gets very animated and has his own unique way of shortening the long stories or making edits or additions as he sees necessary.  So now for your pleasure I present, Love You Forever (ya know that book that makes mom's weep,...I'll like you for always, as long as I'm living my baby you'll be) written by Robert Munsch and read by Austin Thorpe.  

(May I suggest that if you own this book, you follow along)

"A mommy rocks her baby"
"That baby grows into a two year old, who makes horrible messes in the toilet, that's so gross Calvin."
"But his mom still liked to rock him."
"The boy grew up and liked to play baseball and chew gum and track mud into the house.  Calvin, that's why we don't wear shoes in our house."
"But his mom still liked to watch him sleep."
"The boy got older and liked to wear weird shirts and hang upside down on the furniture and eat pizza.  Oh gosh, he has the plate sitting on the carpet because he's a chucklehead."
"His mom still liked to watch him sleep."
"Then the boy bought his own house."
"The mom would drive in her car to his house and rock him, which she would definitely not be able to do because she's old and he's like 3x her size. Also, climbing a ladder would be really hard for her."
"Then someone called the man on the phone."
"He went to his mom's house and rocked her."
"He came home and went upstairs and rocked his baby and said the same thing his mom would always say to him."

THE END

Life + 2! + Despicable Me = Halloween

Lets ignore that I am backtracking to October for this post...

Calvin turned 2 in October.  He's getting so big, he's practically driving (which he requests to do every time we get in the car, and I crush his dreams anew each time I make him sit in his car seat.)!  I wanted to throw a cute party, but not anything that would kill me (because THOSE kinds of parties are FUN).  I settled on a Despicable Me theme.  Cal loves the minions.  I decided I would do three cute things and not serve lunch, but just cake.  I started in August (stress free people).  I tapped into Pinterest (because why be creative when other people can be for you?) and found my three projects: A minion tablecloth, minion pop bottle balloon weights, and a minion 9x13 cake (there is a super simple tutorial on youtube for this folks!).  It all turned out so cute and because I made the pop bottles and the tablecloth far in advance the party was stress free and very survivable :)

I will confess that I'm not much of a Halloween fan.  I kinda hate the part of the holiday that's creepy, full of graveyards and corpses, and scary.  I HATE to be scared.  Like, "had to sleep on my parents floor when I was 17 and saw a scary movie" HATE to be scared.  Halloween to me is about carving cute pumpkins and relishing in the cute costumes the kids wear.

So a happy belated G-rated Halloween everyone!!!  Elmo...that's my kind of monster.

Life + Guest Post + Ted Talks = Changing the World

Hello all, today my friend Rebekah has graciously agreed to do my work for me :).  I asked Rebekah because I knew she would say nice things about me.  Hahaha, not really, she is a very wonderful young woman and when I lived behind her I was always impressed with her maturity and inner light. So watch one of Bek's favorite Ted talks and then enjoy her insight, and check out her blog Stay tuned for my next post about Cal's birthday and Austin's Boy Scout Extravaganza!!


TED TALK

I’ve always wanted to change the world, and still do, but have frequently talked myself out of getting my hopes up. The world is a big place after all, and maybe I can do some nice things, but I shouldn’t get disappointed when I’m not of the great leaders who change it. But when you see the world way Drew Dudley observes it in his talk, ANYONE can change the world, and even define it. If we’re influencing the people around us, we must be aware of what kind of leaders we are being; we must not be afraid of being noticed, and of being good. Think of all the incredible things we may unknowingly do, just by being ourselves.

I suppose a guest post isn’t necessarily designed to recognize the blog’s blogger, but I think Nicole is a wonderful example of everyday leadership. She has become someone I trust, and I love to hear her share stories and to soak up all the wisdom she has to offer me! There are other people in my life that I also see as everyday leaders and they don’t realize it. All the simple good things people do all around the globe impress me.

The other day I was sitting in Madrigals.  We were rehearsing the Star Spangled Banner, at the climax of the song, the first sopranos sing an impressive high note-you know that part of the national anthem-and our director decided he didn’t want all three of us singing that note because it was too loud. So he asked us each to sing it alone for him twice and then decide what he wanted. This probably doesn’t seem like a very big deal to many of you, and looking back now, it definitely was not as colossal as my mind was trying to make it seem in the moment. I decided, “Hey, what choice do I have? Worse-case scenario my voice gives out, or I crack in front of the director and entire choir, but at least I wasn’t singing it acapella and it wasn’t in front of the entire student body.” (This was actually unusually reasonable logic for me to apply in this situation.) I tried to act like I didn’t care and I was all cool with singing that note by myself in public, but inside, my nerves were trying relentlessly to get me to back out. Well, I sang it, and the first time my worse-case scenario came true, but it wasn’t as horrifying as I expected. Maybe we laughed, perhaps someone made a joke, I don’t remember exactly, I just remember deciding I’d shake it off because I’d just have to sing it again after K had her chance to try it out. And fortunately the second run-through went excellently. As we sat down one of my friends turned to me and said, “Nice job! I could never do something like that-I’d get too nervous,” which is when it occurred to me: “I don’t do things like this every day. I’m usually the one commending someone else’s bravery, but it hadn’t even crossed my mind until now.”

I thought of this story as I re-watched the everyday leadership TED talk in preparation for this post, because it reminds me of when he says that we make leadership something bigger than us. What I did in choir the other day (as small and insignificant as it really is when a person puts the whole thing into perspective), is something I usually regard as bigger than me. Auditioning, interviewing, trying-out, etc. for anything makes me extremely nervous, in fact I may have an easier time performing than auditioning, but everything just happened as it did, and before I knew it-it was over and I’d managed to maintain minimal nervousness! Maybe it’s because the experience happened so fast, or maybe( I hope) it’s because we as human beings are growing and becoming better all the time. Either way, it supports Drew Dudley’s claim that leadership isn’t bigger than us; it is a part of us. It is simple; but it isn’t small. 

Life + Six Weeks + Blue Eyes = Pictures

Deric is now 2 months old.  The time has gone by slowly and quickly.  Right?  Those first few months after the baby is born I feel like all I do is feed the baby.  Austin will come home and ask "What did you do today?" and all I can say is, "I fed the baby.".  Don't misunderstand, feeding the baby is a very important job, and definitely makes me the baby's favorite person, but it seems to take up quite a bit of time. Just recently have I started to feel like I've hit my 2 child groove, so now when Austin comes home I can tell him I fed the baby AND made the bed :)...GROOVIN'!!

Many people comment on Calvin's blue eyes.  Everyone asks where he got them, as neither Austin nor I have blue eyes.  He got them from Austin's sister.  I would now like to take a moment to thank my sister-in-law Roseanne for my children's beautiful baby blues.  Roseanne has crystal blue eyes.  Her husband is half Chinese and half Indian.  She has three darling boys (number four on the way) and all of them have dark brown almost black eyes, and you would never be able to match them to their fair haired, blue eyed mama :)  She often jokes that marrying Kirk doomed her chances for blue eyed children.  Well, Roseanne, you can take credit for mine :)

I had a most wonderful friend take some pictures of Calvin at 6 weeks so I decided to have pictures of Deric taken at 6 weeks as well.  This time my friend Nikki took the pictures.  They turned out SO darling and she was ridiculously well priced. Thanks Nikki!! 

Life + Insanity + "Yes" = Joy

“Mothers are all slightly insane.” 
― J.D. Salinger, The Catcher in the Rye

I really love this quote.  I think a bit of insanity does everyone a great deal of good.  It allows us to laugh, look forward and let go.  Do not misunderstand, I don't think that people who want to be mothers are insane, or that if you want more than 3 children you're insane, or if you choose to be great at motherhood instead of choosing the career path you're insane.  In fact I strongly disagree with all of those statements.  The world has a new found love of focusing on the hardships of motherhood and venting those negative aspects in an "it's ok if you hate this because everyone does." sort of attitude.  I think it's ok to have bad days as a mother, but I also believe that, like many and most things in life, the amount of joy you take out is equally proportionate to what you put in.  The parable of the sower, if you will.  This quote speaks to the JOY in chaos found within each woman who cares for children.  Lately, my desire to enjoy motherhood more has been at the forefront of my thoughts, prayers and conversations.  I don't just want to like being a mother, I want JOY in my mothering efforts, and a burning LOVE for what I do.  I believe deeply and dearly that THAT is how motherhood is designed to be, not a loathsome survival experience that we all just hope ends soon.  That is a sad attitude that many these days yell from the rooftops- It's Ok to be miserable in motherhood.  Well, I suppose it's "ok" if that's what you want, but is it?  Does it give some deep sense of validation to hate your life's work?  Maybe it does and I'm not judging I'm simply saying that, personally, I want to be happy as a mother and find lots of enjoyment along the way. I believe this to be 100% possible.  The following quote is the inspiration for the rest of this post:

"In regards to your young children, say "yes" as much as possible.  They are small for such a short time."  
-(while attributed to Sister Marjorie Hinckley, I cannot find a source for this quote anywhere)

This was a lightning bolt for me, and I decided to experiment with this idea.  Over the last 2 weeks I have become a YES MOM, if it's not dangerous or completely disastrous then it  gets a YES from this mama.  Here are a few of our adventures-


You want to blow the bubbles yourself, and be hilarious?  YES!  (After all it's just soap and water, and it makes for a good laugh)

You want to play with chalk?  YES! (The dust is easily washed and the plant will live, I think.)

You want to play with your toys in the water?  YES! (Shoes will always dry in the sun)

You want to help me bake?  YES! (I can always sweep the mess into the garbage, and it will take an extra 15 minutes to make the cookies, I think we can handle 15 minutes)

You want to take the garage broom and go on a sweeping spree of the neighborhood?  YES!

You want to take the pictures with mommy's phone?  YES!  (What good is paying for the insurance if you don't risk once in a while).

You want a shake with your lunch?  And you want a straw to drink it through?  YES! (I can always hose you off)

A whole can of shaving cream?  YES!  (It rinses off right?)

You want to run free in the dirt field behind our house and accidentally crash hard into a giant mud puddle?  YES!  (Because there is always the bathtub)

You want to eat popcorn on the couch?  YES! (It takes all of 10 minutes to vacuum the mess)

You want to sit REALLY close to baby brother?  YES!  (I can sit here with my 2 favorite boys)

You want chocolate chip pancakes for breakfast?  YES!  (It's ok to eat a fun breakfast once in awhile right? And again with the hose)

Oh and Deric mostly did this all week

Quick conclusion:  This was one of the most enjoyable couple weeks I've ever had as a mother and it didn't take much extra time to say YES a little more often.  Cheers to being a joyful mama!!

I will leave you with a few more quotes.

Many people have said to me 'What a pity you had such a big family to raise. Think of the novels and the short stories and the poems you never had time to write because of that. And 

I looked at my children and I said, 'These are my poems. These are my stories.' 

-Olga Masters

Being a full-time mother is one of the highest salary jobs in my field since the payment is pure love.

-Mildred B Vermont

Life + The Game + Potatoes = Elmo

Austin has been playing a game on his iPad for several months called Oregon Settler.  If you ask me the game looks like a snooze fest, but he seems to enjoy it.  The general idea is that you get to build your own settlement (ya know, after conquering the Oregon Trail).  Austin's one shack town is now a thriving metropolis run by a red bearded man in a Davey Crockett raccoon hat.  Austin is only interested in building his town, he isn't really interested in other gamely aspects...like keeping his citizens alive.  Every now and then the game inflicts an illness on a few of your townspeople.  You must use your hypothetical town money to buy hypothetical supplies to cure these hypothetical ailments.  Austin sees no reason to do this as the game does not penalize you for the untimely deaths of your hypothetical settlers. Therefore, in addition to having a hospital, university, hotel, winter lodge, bank, barber shop, saloon, printing press, post office, freight depot and a variety of other magical things his settlement also boasts a large and well occupied cemetery.  It's hypothetically very sad.  


Just so you get an idea as to the importance of the game l share the following:

I kept the iPad at home with me one day because I had a doctor's appointment that I was unable to get a sitter for.  I thought it would be good to have the iPad in case my appointment ran long and Calvin got bored.  Austin sent me a text during his lunch that simply said:

"Will you harvest my potatoes?"

Sure, love you too.

Calvin is obsessed with Elmo and Barney.  He wakes up every morning asking for them and he falls asleep every night in his Elmo pajamas after we have brushed his teeth with his Elmo toothbrush, sung the Barney song as many times as we can mentally handle and read his Elmo book.  We were up at my parent's for dinner a couple weekends ago and my sweet dad was snuggling Calvin.  My dad asked, "Calvin, who loves you?" and Calvin quickly and quietly replied, "Elmo.".  Hey, at least he feels loved.

Life + The Babe + Poop = Perspective

So we had a baby this month.  Well, I had a baby this month.  Austin does not like it when couples use the phrase "we're pregnant" because in reality they are not collectively with child.  So in order to avoid confusion, I was the one who birthed the baby.  We named him Deric William after Austin's brother and father.  Two great men rolled into one baby :) (I wonder how Austin would feel about the reality of that statement.).  He was 7lbs. 8 oz. and 20 inches long.  Calvin loves to give him kisses and poke his eyes ("Baybay eye") and nose ("Baybay no").  Hopefully Deric makes it through his first year with his eyesight intact.  


When you're a parent you find yourself saying things that no sane person should ever have to say.

• Calvin, stop balancing your grilled cheese on your head.
• Calvin, bubbles are to play with, not to drink.
• Calvin, please don't pee on mommy's pillow

ETC.  (if you have a good one, I'd love to hear it.)  

You also find yourself rejoicing over the most ridiculous things.

• A meal in which no food is thrown.
• "He said "poopy" today!!"
• A day free of banshee-esque tantrums

ETC. (again, let's hear what ya got.)

But I think these things are perks of the job.  I mean what other profession can lay claim to more bizarre or hilarious happenings than parenthood?  In reality parenthood encompasses all professions, including, but not limited to:  
Circus performer (I will throw a pie in daddy's face if you'll just take a bite of your dinner), Exorcist (Skeptical? You've never seen a 2 year old who has just been denied a second episode of Barney)
Referee (Illegal biting during playgroup, 10 minute time out, and if that kid needs a tetanus shot we're taking it out of your snack funds.).  


I tend to see outward physical things as manifestations of severe internal flaws. For example, when I look in the mirror and see someone who can't seem to keep the extra weight off I internalize this to mean that I'm not as worthwhile as someone who is thin.  If my house is messier than usual one day (or week or month) I'm a horrible wife and mother who must not love her family enough to clean. 
In reality my weight has no bearing on my character and the cleanliness of my house has nothing to do with the amount of love in my heart.  Could the extra weight mean I'm not as committed as someone who is thin?  Sure.  Could the messy house mean I needed to manage my time better?  Sure, but that's a far cry from not being a worthy or valuable individual.  It sounds so ridiculously obvious when put into perspective, and as a woman with raging postpartum hormones I needed a little perspective today so thanks to this article for getting me thinking a bit this evening :)