Rag-a-Muffins

Sometimes the boys like to stay awake and "chat" with each other after I put them down for a nap. I usually give it a few minutes, and then go in and kiss them again, lay them down again, put the binkie in again, and start the music again. This usually works. Today, I heard some commotion and decided it was time to remind them that it was nap time. (And when I say "chat," that is exactly what I mean. They weren't crying, just jabbering.)

This is what I found:

That is Kade. Apparently I left the car seat too close to the bed. The shots aren't great (I was desperately trying not to wake him and not move anything in the room while trying to capture the moment), but he is completely out - with a pretty tight grip on that toy. He woke up with lines on his forehead from the bars of the crib. Earlier in the day, I walked in to see him standing in the crib. Without him noticing me, I observed as he peeked over the edge (on his cute little tippy toes), took the bink out of his mouth, tossed it out, and laughed as he watched it hit the ground and roll away.

Spence (the chatterbox) was found observing the entire situation with his legs hanging out the crib. He was kicking them and bouncing. Notice the thumb in his mouth. That was my indicator that he really was tired.

Nobody can accuse my kids of not having personality. Even at this age, curiousity is infinitely more important than sleep.

I love them more than words can describe.

(Look at Spence's big toe pointing up. Hahaha)

Each Life That Touches Ours For Good

I actually enjoy going to funerals. Is that weird? My husband would exclaim a resounding "Yes! You are definitely wacko!" I don't mean to be terribly morbid, but I do enjoy attending funerals that rejoice in a life well lived and bear testimony about the grace of the Savior and His loving, charitable sacrifice so we can live again. I had this opportunity a couple of weeks ago, and I walked out of the service so uplifted.

Greg and I met at a friend's wedding. One of my best friends married one of his best friends. (Go here for the full story.) Greg met Steve as a Freshman in college. They are only a few days apart. They served their missions together, returned together, attended some more school together, and eventually married two beautiful, talented, amazing women. Steve's grandparents lived in the Orem/Provo area when Steve and Greg were at BYU. They often went over to Steve's grandparents house for meals, and Steve's grandpa took them fishing occasionally. Greg grew to love these adopted grandparents, and they took him in and loved him right back. I had the opportunity to meet them and visit with them on a few occasions throughout our married life. They loved me and drew me into their home immediately.

On March 4th, Grandpa Carlson passed away. He had been suffering with health problems for a while. Although they had relocated to Arizona, he was buried here in Salt Lake. Steve and Liz and Steve's entire family made the trek to Utah for the funeral. Greg and I (and Spencer and Kade) had the privilege of attending the funeral. Although I had only met Grandpa Carlson a handful of times, he had a profound impact on Greg's life (which, in turn, has a profound impact on mine). Greg is not known to "gush" about people. You definitely have to earn your praise from my husband. As he reminisced about Grandpa's life, I watched him speak with complete awe and reverence about a man who loved unconditionally and chose to live life joyfully.

Several times throughout the service, family members spoke of Grandpa's positive attitude. They also spoke about his ability to love and not judge. His daughter (Steve's mother) gave the eulogy. She spoke about how she has always felt that the Savior loves her because her dad loved her so deeply and always treated her with love and respect. Several people spoke about Grandpa's funny sayings and the ability he had to "enjoy the journey." He loved to fish. Fishing became a great metaphor throughout the service. His family spoke about how he taught them to relish in the peaceful surroundings and the majesty of the Lord's creations and not worry so much about catching fish.

I watched Greg, Steve, and Steve's family laugh and swap stories and sweet memories of Grandpa Carlson. It seemed that one person's memory led to another and another. As I sat through the beautiful service, contemplating the life of this man who loved the Lord, loved his family, and lived a happy, full life, all I could think about was the hymn "Each Life That Touches Ours for Good."

Each life that touches ours for good

Reflects thine own great mercy, Lord;

Thou sendest blessings from above

Thru words and deeds of those who love.

What greater gift dost thou bestow,
What greater goodness can we know
Than Christlike friends, whose gentle ways
Strengthen our faith, enrich our days.

When such a friend from us departs,
We hold forever in our hearts
A sweet and hallowed memory,
Bringing us nearer, Lord, to thee.

For worthy friends whose lives proclaim
Devotion to the Savior’s name,
Who bless our days with peace and love,
We praise thy goodness, Lord, above.

- Karen Lynn Davidson

Although I hardly knew this good man, by impacting the life of the most important person in my life, he has dramatically influenced mine. I left that service with a renewed passion to love my family more deeply and find more joy. Period. I also started contemplating how many people have impacted my life and they may never realize. Of course my close friends and family have an enormous impact, but I also thought of friends/acquaintances that I may or may not keep in contact with anymore. People that attended school with, people from past wards, people that have moved from my current ward, new ward members that I don't know very well yet. I thought about the stranger at the grocery store who stepped in to help a mother that was clearly struggling with her little ones. Instead of shaking her head, this woman took action. I thought of the sweet temple workers who helped me when I first received my endowments. I thought about all of my YW leaders. I thought of past roommates. I thought about people in my life who have died, but have left an everlasting imprint on my life. I thought about teachers and friends who have loved my children, thereby influencing my life tremendously. I thought of all of Greg's past friends, extended family members, youth leaders, professors, bishops, mission presidents, etc. (the list could go on and on) whom I have never met but have made him the man that he is today. It is almost mind boggling to consider all the people that have touched my life.

I believe that we have a greater power to influence than we realize. I have been so blessed to be surrounded by so much good.

I am grateful.

My Outlet

I have missed you, my lovely blog. My family has missed you because I haven't been using you to "dump" out my brain. I have several posts swimming around my head, but I will have to miss you a little bit longer. We went to the doctor yesterday. For the third time in six weeks, we have four ear infections and one infected throat. As a result, we have spent more on health care this month (insurance, doctor visits, prescriptions) than on our mortgage. Thank heaven for a wonderful pharmacist who gave us one prescription for both babies. Saved us $35. Bless you, Mr. Pharmacist.

So, once we get a few healthy ears, and I am able to get a little sleep, I will return. I have to go now because Spencer is climbing up my arm demanding to be loved and Paige is crying (for the fortieth time this morning) because she spilled her milk (again).

Ear Infections = Very Clingy Babies

Three Year Olds = A lot of Tears

Homework

Macy included this note with her homework. I obviously told her about her birthday WAY too early. She has been counting down since the beginning of March. I probably should have told her the night before. She is SO excited!

Translation: It's two more days until my birthday. From, Macy

Deep Thoughts - March Edition

A few weeks ago, we were getting ready for Saturday Night Baths (it's capitalized because it is an event at our house). We were administering orders: Macy, let me take your hair out before it gets wet; Paige, don't forget to take your panties before you get in the water; Austin, please remember to use soap to wash your entire body, etc. When we were done, Austin said, "Okay, but I don't need to wash my hair because I already had a 'head bath' today." (He had his hair cut earlier the day, and they washed his hair in that little wash bin. Otherwise known as a "head bath.")

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Macy went to Tracy Aviary with her school class. She came home and told us all about it. She got very excited when she told us about the male peacock. She told us that he had all of his tail feathers out so he was "beautiful." Then she educated us: "That's how you know that they like girls."

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Occasionally, I put "dust" on the chore chart. This guarantees at least an hour of whining and griping, even though I only assign one bookcase. On this particular day, I even let Macy pick any bookcase to dust. When she was on shelf #2, she sighed, wiped her brow, and exclaimed, "This is like cleaning a mansion."

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For breakfast, I often cut a banana in half for Macy and Paige to share. The other day, Paige had eaten her half, but was playing with the peel. She was holding it by the tip and bouncing it up and down. "Look Mommy," she said, "It's an oscapus!"

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An excerpt from Macy's prayer the other night: "Thank you for Daddy's job so we have a home and food. Please help Daddy so he can save twenty thousand dollars to give to the children's hospital. Please bless our friend in the morning class who is at the children's hospital."

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Just to get it off my chest: Two things I was born without: Grace and Flexibility. It's a good think that I am neither a First Lady or an Exotic Dancer.