'24' and Jack Bauer have nothing on me

I love taking the boys to the park mostly because they seem to love it, they shout and laugh as they climb and play, and they come home with big appetites and solid naps. But it is definitely not a casual, relaxing sort of event. I must have my mommy senses on high alert, my reflexes nimble as a kitty's. About half the time I'm there I feel like I'm training for some kind of combat mission, carefully positioning myself halfway between my active little dudes until my mommy-radar whirs into action- OH NO, JULIAN'S CHANCES OF TAKING A NOSEDIVE OFF THAT STEP STOOL PLAY THING ARE REGISTERING AT 75%, BUT CALEB'S PROBABILITY OF TUMBLING DOWN THE SLIDE ONTO ASPHALT IS AT 65% AND RISING- in an instant I calculate the angles, the content of materials they're about to come into contact with, the potential damage: SLIDE IS ONLY A FEW FEET LONG, POSSIBLY HEADED NOGGIN FIRST vs. STEPY STOOL PLAY THING'S ANGLE IS WILL POSITION JULIAN FOR A BACKWARD SOMMERSAULT ROLL INTO NASTY CORNER OF STRUCTURE. I like to think that I've somehow received superpowers for my mommy mission- in a flash I dive towards Julian and break his fall with my outstretched hand, then, heart pounding, adrenaline flushing, I use my leg to whir myself around and catch Caleb with my foot. Phewsh, saved the day again. Does someone want to set aside the key to the city for me?


While at times I miss and one of the kids biffs it and smacks their head, so far no one has had to call 911 for me, like we did for another parent the other day when their kid fell onto the sidewalk and got a blood gush they'll never forget (we hung around for awhile, luckily the kid seemed to be OK). Who needs '24' and Jack Bauer, just hang out with me at the playground, you'll get your fill of action. Except maybe you wouldn't mind giving me a hand, things are far less eventful when I've got a 1:1 ratio. Then again, I need to get my workout in somehow ;)

Thank you!!!!!!

I LOVED all the posts! You guys made my day. And a very merry un-birthday to all of you!

Happy Birthday

Hi Char! Have the greatest birthday ever! Hope you're staying warm in Scotland.
Happy 3- 0. We're so glad you've graced our family with your presence.
Love Gramps

Charla!!

Charla it's your big day!!  We are so proud of you for making it this far.  We love your spirit and spunk and everything you add to our family.  I am so excited to spend another Christmas with you- it's going to be the best!  I can't wait to sing Christmas carols together.  What does little Oliver say to his mommy today on her special day!?  How wonderful that you can spend it with him and Jord!

Sure love you,

Linds

BIRTHDAY!!!!!

Char!! It's your BIG day!! you've had such an interesting life and have had such an influence for good on so many and now just think what lies ahead! "The best is yet to come!" We love you lots and are soooo happy that you're in the family- Happy Happy 30th!! Love Coleen
Happy 3-0! I'm glad we share the same birthday month! Love Rach

Happy Birthday Charla!!

Well Charla I hope that you have a fantastic birthday as I am sure you will with two studly gentlemen to keep you company (at the very least possibly more). I am glad that you have been part of the family and will continue to be so forever, yeah!!! Well I guess we will see all of you guys soon come Christmas.

Happy Birthday to Charla!

Tomorrow, Friday, is Charla's birthday and since she's all the way over in Scotland I thought it would be fun to post a birthday wishes online! Charla I am so happy that you married Jordan! You are a beautiful singer, and inspirational person, and a delight to everyone that is lucky enough to know you! Keep rocking on your BIG 3-0 Day!
Love-
Everybody

oh christmas tree

So, my 'letting it go' abilities were once again called into action when, upon decorating our tree, we discovered that our box of ornaments mysteriously disappeared. I try to be organized, I really do, (I found half my decorations) but my acknowledged lack of skills is not helped out any by the fact that our apartment offers only 'creative' storage options and I don't know if the decorations box got stashed somewhere weird when I was trying to cram everything in here (behind my sewing machine in the top shelf of our bedroom cupboard with the chess set Ian's grandpa gave him and he refuses to chuck although he hasn't touched it in 10 YEARS, or behind the piano with our IKEA table legs maybe, or in the ice cooler shoved into the linen closet??) I"m going to cross my fingers and hope we sent it to Ian's mom's house and not (gasp) mistaken for the busted bread mixer and abandoned by the dumpster.. So until I get really organized, I've decided that I just have to go with the flow and find positive, happy things to say about the wide ribbon we used to decorate our tree. It really did turn out lovely. I'm finding that looking at the positive is making my life a lot easier. Now, if only I can get it together enough to make sure I get all of our Christmas cards sent out ;)
We received a lovely sign that our friend Alissa gave us that fit well over our nativity. Our portrait of Christ will be placed on top. It's my favorite reminder of the reason for the season.

Because I just liked it.

“Watch ye,’ Paul said. Be wise. There are a lot of roads to travel on. Many places to go, countless things to see. Companions of all kinds are available. So watch your step, examine carefully the alternatives. There are only so many books you can read, so many places you can go, so many tasks you can prepare to work at and actually give your time to; you can only have so many real friends; you have one character to form, one life to live, one Master who can be served at a time. So, said Paul, “Watch you.” Be wise. Keep reading, keep thinking, keep asking, keep interested. Try out your own ideas, weigh them and weigh those of others, thoughtfully, prayerfully, honestly. Let truth have it’s chance in the marketplace.”

Elder Marion D. Hanks

Christmas Greetings From The LA Contingent!!!!!

Thought you guys would get a kick out of this. You may have to refresh it for the family faces to appear. Enjoy!

Non-Crappy Starring You! eCards on JibJab

Thanksgiving fun

So I thought I would upload some of the highlights- the dinner of course, Faith doing up Caleb's hair to look like a little rockstar, going to the Grove- the weekend was so much fun! Does anybody have any ideas for what we can do when we get together this summer?