Mancation

Well, this is a family blog. I showed Lane my progress on my attempt to keep a blog and he said so sadly, so pitifully, 'There's no pictures up of my mancation.' What's a mancation you ask? It's a vacation for boys. Stinky, adorable boys. He and usually his brothers go quading in either Idaho or Utah. They get giddy at the thought of the next one. Lane started doing up a grocery list and menu six months before they went! That's excitement. That's why I could never say no. Who knows what suckered me in, maybe it's the freckles, cleft chin, who knows? Actually, I know but it's a pretty long explanation so we'll leave it at the jest on his freckles.

Lane, Brham, Kale, my cousin Sean, Kale's old mission companion Hess & his Pop all enjoyed some time in a trailer in Little Sahara, Utah.

One of the most impressive things they did was make a hot tub in the box of Brhams's truck. I thought it was hiarious. This is what happens when you get some Scout alumni together.

Stories to laugh at

Porter gave his first talk today in primary. It was about how baptism and confirmation bless our family. I was whipsering the words to him and therefore, he whispered the words to everyone else. Lane said the only thing he could hear was, 'Baptism. Confimation. Blessings. Jesus' in audible whispers. Quite cute, quite right. He seemed to like it up there. He started laughing at one of the kids and couldn't stop. It took a while to re-focus on the talk. He liked the podium. Clearly a better view of what was going on. The primary was there to entertain him. ;)

A few weeks ago, I asked Porter what he learned in primary. He said, 'Jesus died on cross.' I was really impressed that he took that away from primary BUT I wanted to emphasize that the most important thing is that Jesus lives. So I got him to repeat, "Jesus died BUT.....(drum roll) HE LIVES!' Big emphasis on 'BUT' dramatic plause and then enthusiastic, 'HE LIVES'. Many a days passed and he told me out of a random conversation that included trains, chocolate, milk in a sippie cup, and Jesus died. Then he looked at me and said, 'But he lives!' He got it and I hope that means more and more to him as time goes on.

Yesterday morning, Porter informs me that he must poo. I had my friend Wendy staying at my house and she said, 'What's that Porter?' Porter replied, "I need go poo. Want to come?" I mean who wouldn't? It's a nice, casual, social engagement. It was hilarious. He was just so openly extending an invitation for her to come hang out with him while he took in Lane's words, a 'duke'.
It's funny. Speaking of Porter pooing...I have to ask him while he's in the bathroom if he's done because if I dont' check in, he'll just get off the toilet and walk around with fecal matter attached to his bottom. There's no waiting around for the wipe. I have to be on top of my game when he announces the poo is here. So as I periodically call and say, "Porter are you done?" If he's not he'll say with a strained and grunting voice, 'Almost (strain, grunt) there.'

Roll-over Champ

On April 13th, Grady was having the recommended amount of tummy time, when before my very eyes he pusehd himself up, teetered and rolled over on his back! Brilliant child! It was very exciting. For a moment I considered it a fluke but now he won't stop. In fact, I was attempting to take pictures of his victory but he would rollover before I could take the picture! So in order to get the pictures I had to hold him with one hand to keep him on his tummy, while I stretched back and tried to position the camera. I then strategically released my hand and was hoping to catch the roll-y moment. I did this several times in order to get the pictures I wanted.

After our photo shoot, I think he thought I didn't want him to roll over probably from me holding him back from rolling so I could take a pictue. If only that could be explained to a 3 month old! He temporarily quit rolling over. He would remain on his tummy and stare at me. The next couple of days I had to re-teach him that rolling over was good. So I would put him on his tummy and give him a little push to tip him over, then enthusiastically cheer. I had to revert the false lesson. Thankfully, he now rolls over whenever he pleases with the promise that no one will stop him again. Go Grady!

Amazing Quilt!

You must go check out this blog! There's a quilt giveaway and it is gorgeous. Liz is a truly talented quilter and her designs are amazing.
Go to:
Pigtails and SnailsSource: www.pigtailsandsnails.blogspot.

Soccer Mom

Our car went to car heaven, although I prefer to think it went to car hell where it deserved to go. As a result, we just bought a Honda Odyssey mini van. Lane thought he was too cool for a mini van but when you have a family and SUV's are for the elite, a mini van is the next step in life. Lane has since looked at the brighter side of things and has re-named the Odyssey the 'Silver Bullet'. That's positive thinking.

This past Saturday, April 25, was Porter's first soccer game. He is in the NSD league on the Cougar team. Get this, his jersey is navy blue and he's a cougar...a little BYU action anyone? Go Cougars! Riding in the mini van for the first time as a family, we headed to the soccer game. Wahoo, soccer mom, soccer dad, soccer star, and darling baby arriving in the Silver Bullet. We had some good friends of ours who have their daughter in the same league mock us all day long for our cliche. What's there to dispute? It was a great day though despite the cold weather. We were so proud of Porter seeing him play soccer. I love this time and this age. They're starting to be able to develop so many talents and experience and enjoy so much more.

He got two goals with the help of Pappy. Lane and Porter are going to practice soccer in the backyard just to reconfirm the idea of kicking the ball in the right direction. The tricky thing is you tell them to share all the time and then in soccer you're telling them to take away the ball from the other kid. Tricky, tricky.

Tons of fun though! I couldn't believe how much fun I had watching him play soccer for the first time! It's official, I am a proud soccer mom who drives a mini van....and who is supercool.

Sewing champ!

You know, for the past year I have been endeavoring to learn how to sew. In my mind it was something much too difficult, strenuous and detailed for me to consider. My last memories of sewing was the unfinished Laurel project and my mom and I having a loud (a.k.a yelling) conversation. I'll admit, although not always, this was my fault. I had no patience for details and mistakes, take a look at my handwriting for proof.

Well, all of that is in the past for as I hit the year 25 of my existence, I'm a new gal. I like being able to personalize things to my taste and I enjoy sewing. It's rewarding to see something I did being used and looking cute! My friend, Stephanie got me started and convinced me it was possible. I'm a believer. I started slow with a pair of slippers that I never completely finished for almost 9 months. I think because I took so long, the satisfaction was more of a relief instead of a giddy, clap your hands, kind of a moment. Observe. Well, there will be a picture up soon. Adorable! My first present for Grady began before he was born and finished 3 months after his arrival. My personal favorite is the button touch. Precious!

Next, I did two projects at one. I'll reveal I was feeling a little risque and confident. But guess what? I finished them! This would not be possible without Marna Martin, one of the great sewing teachers of our time. :) I did a purse for my niece for her birthday out of pink, jersey knit camoflague. Unfortunately, my plain bag that I put my heart and soul into and spent hours on (due to my lack of skill), was no match for princess Jasmine and feathered plastic shoes. It's okay, I understand that when you're 3, handiwork is no match for pink clad action figures.
I still need to get a picture of it. I forgot to get a picture of it before I gave it away!

The other project was a pair of turtle pajama pants for Porter. What a success! He loves turtles because a good friend of ours, Erin Walters, has two adorable turtles named Watson and Crick. We call his pants the Watson and Crick pants. I was over sewing with friends and our great teacher and finished them up at 10:30 pm. I got home at quarter to 11:00 and showed Lane my MASTERPIECE and then despite the late time, I had to show Porter! It couldn't wait! My joy had to be shared and well, they were his anyway. I ran into his room, woke him up out of bed and showed him his turtle pants. He was very happy in his incoherent state. I quickly changed him into his new, amazing pajama pants so he could bask in glorious sleep for the rest of the night in his new pants.
Note the strewn matching pajama bottoms on the floor in the background. Good riddance because they are no comparison to the best turtle pants in the whole...house!

Mom, Relax!

Geesh! Who knew a girl could be so wrong? I'm surrounded by boys in a 3 to 1 ratio. We're driving along as a family heading towards some unimportant destination when Lane and I start discussing finances. Just because I raise my voice, does not mean I'm yelling...it just means I'm passionate. I was always so confused when people said I was yelling, it made me get all defensive because I felt they were totally embellishing! I think though, I've had enough people tell me that that it has worked sort of like a comment box. I've tallied them up and there's been enough feedback that clearly I was missing something. Apparently, I talk 'extra' loud when I get excited about something but the heart of the matter is, I'm not really aware that my voice has gotten louder. It's not out of anger but out of my own persuasion! So as I was saying, Lane and I were discussing finances and I was reasoning my way through it when my three year old pointedly says, 'Mom! Relax!'

That was a first ever! Lane and I were shocked without words for a moment before Lane burst out laughing. Lane didn't have to say it out loud, all over his face was the expression, 'awesome.' I'm surrounded by laid back boys and I stand all alone here. Clearly, I need to tone it down for the boys or I'm not going to fit in this crowd. My first thought after I had a chuckle...though not as hardy a laugh as Lane's, was, 'I need to have a girl.' Mommy needs back-up! ahahah

I am the one and only over-exciteable mommy.

I get calm reminders and perspective now from my nearly old, adoring redhead and my ready to raise his folks, three year old.

So funny!