Wednesday, October 28, 2009

Hi. My name is Amber.



And I grew up with a mom who played Bridge.

On the designated evening, we (4 kids and dad) would all be shooed downstairs to watch a movie, and hang out. We weren't allowed upstairs until it was time for bed. Then we had to scurry past the intense game without a sound.

But oh the leftover snacks the next morning!!

I remember that sometimes, my dad would fall asleep while we were downstairs. We would sneak past him, creep up the stairs, and stand at the top of the stair well and listen to the gabbing going on between our mother and her friends. I don't remember any of the stories they told, but I remember being very very sneaky while listening to the gossip.

One particular evening, dad was away. Business trip, or something. We were watching "Dumbo" and it came to the part where Dumbo was being rocked by his imprisoned mother. "Baby Mine."

I lost it. I was so sad for this poor little orphaned elephant. I couldn't even fathom a life without a mother, and was so sad. I sobbed and ran upstairs to my mom. My mom who was playing Bridge.

She wasn't very happy, but understood I was sad. She gave me a quick kiss, and quickly sent me back downstairs to be with my siblings. They weren't sobbing, so they didn't really notice that I was.

I only needed therapy for a little while. (Just kidding!)

Flash forward to today. Today, Sariah, Emerson and I were watching "Dumbo".

When "Baby Mine" came, Sariah looked at me with tears about to spill over her little eyes, and right down her cheeks.

She sobbed and ran to me.

"His mommy is in JAIL!" she cried between heaving sobs.

I understood her pain. I understood her sadness, and her empathy for this poor baby elephant.

How did we make this moment happy?

We made our own peanut butter girl scout cookies. YUM.

No more tears, and our bellies are full.



NOTE: I love my mother. After having 2 small kids, I know what it's like to need an evening to yourself. I live for bookclub, and our Relief Society interest groups where we, as women, just get together and hang out. But my mom - she had 4 little kids, all 18 (ish) months apart, 2 of which were twins. 4 carseats, 4 highchairs, 3 sizes of diapers - she needed a break, and deserved every moment alone. If you know my mom, you know how amazing she really is.

Saturday, October 17, 2009

Good night, Sleep tight, YEAH RIGHT

Sariah went to bed last night. Easily. She's so good about that.

She was wearing pink pj's when she went to bed.

Her room was nice and clean.

When we went to bed, I went in to check on her.

This is what I found:



(Room a disaster.)



(The pink and green pj's that she went to bed in.)



(Shoes completely emptied and closet broken in to.)



(Sariah in new pj's that she put on herself, James' socks on her feet, and found this new blanket. This blanket Jared's mom made for him when he was a baby.)


She did all of this when we thought she was sleeping. Little did we know what she was up to!

Thursday, October 15, 2009

Sacks, Sacks, and more Sacks

It's that time of the year again!

THE STAKE BBQ!!!!!!!!!!!!!

My mouth is watering just thinking about it.

But for me, that means making sacks. All of the meat that's cooked goes into muslin sacks. I have made these sacks for my dad for as long as I can remember. Both for our Thanksgiving Day extravaganza, and the Stake BBQ (and the occasional New Year's BBQ, and a single's BBQ).



This Saturday, 4pm, church ball park. Can't wait!

Mesmerized

What has Sariah sitting like a pretty little statue?



The sweet, smart, polite skater teenager next door performing tricks for his 2-year old audience (no joke! he had her squealing and clapping with delight!).



Having this boy as a new neighbor has taught me to really get to know the person. The first time I saw him, I thought rude, bad grades, negative influence, etc. Boy was I wrong! He is one of the sweetest tattooed, pierced kids I have ever met. He's living at home, but going to the U of A on a full-ride scholarship and is on a medical school career path. Shame on me for judging.

Tuesday, October 13, 2009

Don't Ever Leave Me!

"Ode To My Pacifier"

Don't ever leave me,

My one true love.

For your little ringed handle

Is what I'm always a-grasp of.

Monday, October 12, 2009

Instructions

Just in case you want to know how to put a diaper on your favorite sheep, here is a step-by-step guide.

Step one: Make sure you have all the appropriate tools: wipes, diaper, and sheep.



Step two: Lift the appropriate bummy and insert diaper underneath.




Step three: Secure tabs with love and tenderness.



Step four: Get mad because the tabs don't close right, and throw your sheep, diaper, and wipe across the room.

I didn't get a picture of that one.

Sunday, October 11, 2009

Sunday Morning

I love Sunday mornings. Quiet, relaxing, the house is a mess and I don't care to pick it up, and the kids are just so darn cute.

Here is James in his little chair/play swing. Just as content as can be.



And here are the kids in their "Sunday Best!" First is Sariah. She was dying to show off her new "church dress."



Next we have our little handsome James. Back in his favorite chair, but just as happy as can be!



Last, we have our two kids. Sariah loves to hold James, and she does every chance she gets! She's still figuring out HOW to hold him, but she sure gives it a good go.

Saturday, October 10, 2009

Busy, To Put it Lightly

University of Phoenix training - INTENSE.

Primavera Online High School - weird system, taking some time getting used to.

NAU - not even started yet, so this one is on the back burner.

Emerson - sweet, sweet little cousin that is over Monday through Wednesday. 1 year old. 3 kids under the age of 2 makes my life a little hectic half of the week.

These are the reasons I have not been blogging. As soon as my life slows down just a little, I will be much better at blogging again.

Tuesday, October 6, 2009

Watch Oprah Tomorrow

Nie Nie (http://nieniedialogues.blogspot.com/) is on Oprah tomorrow. Wow. I can't wait to watch.

Thursday, October 1, 2009

Decadence



This is a picture of perfection.

Chocolate mousse cake.

Oh. My. Heavens.

My sister and I are hosting a jewelry party tonight at my mom's house.

This amazing chocolate mousse cake will be there.

Thank you, AJ's Fine Foods. Thank you for pleasing my palate.

6:30 can't come fast enough.