A Recollection on Thanksgiving

On my first day of my mission in the Philippines my companion and I were out walking in a neighborhood and I had to pee really, really bad. I told my companion and asked about my options. Unfortunately, toilets are a luxury that most people in the Filipino countryside don't enjoy. Fortunately, this neighborhood had one - in the wide open center of the houses. Thinking nothing of it, my Filipino companion led me to it. In order for you to picture this accurately, you have to know that people socialize outside constantly there and the houses are very close together and there are no fences or walls between them. Thankfully, the community toilet did have a half-wall built around it. Now, when I say half-wall, I mean it was three cinder blocks high, and the wall had three sides. The toilet... well, it did not have a seat and did not have a tank on the back or handle to flush it. Surveying all these conditions I weighed my options. I could refuse the accommodations and hold it for who knows how long and be the uppity American or I could shed the pride and join them. A minute later, there I was peeking over the half-wall with my companion holding her umbrella over my head and about 15 Filipinos staring and smiling my way.

What I'm thankful for because of this experience:

- Toilets
- Privacy
- Going without
- Community

I've been pondering all the many things, experiences and people I am blessed with in my life. I suppose my mind went to this experience because it's a distinct memory of a time when I didn't have a pretty basic thing and I realized it wasn't a big deal. It's definitely nice to have three good functioning toilets in our home and privacy, but totally not necessary to be happy and comfortable. What I'm most grateful for in my life - my family, friends, and the gospel - are all that I really, truly care about. Besides food and shelter, everything else... you can take it or leave it.

True to Form

A couple of nights ago, Kaya awoke at 12:30 a.m. with a massive coughing attack - the loud, barking, croup cough. The terrifying part of the experience was that she could not breathe in between coughs. Her nostrils were flaring; she was grabbing her throat and panicking. When she inhaled it was a desperate, throaty, raspy gasp for air - every single time she breathed in. This happened for a few very long minutes and I rushed her to the ER.

By the time we got there, she had calmed down but was still struggling for air. Thankfully, there was no wait in the ER. (God bless, Sandy, Utah.) Quickly, they gave her a dose of steroids and started her on a breathing treatment, explaining that she had croup. (Crazy part is that she was not coughing at all before this attack. Weird...)

Once Kaya's breathing normalized, she became herself again. Here's what I mean... A couple of minutes into the treatment she leaped out of the bed with a decided, "I'm outta here!" I convinced her back in and told her a story. A minute later, she jumped up exclaiming, "I'm goin' somewhere!" "Where?" I ask. "To see this pretty hospital," she replied. After I got her back in bed I sang her a song or two. Then, she asked me, "What next, Doctor?" I explained that she needed to breathe the steam coming through the machine for a lot longer to which she laid back in the inclined bed, crossed her hands behind her head, and said with a grin, "Just lay back and enjoy it." This had me laughing out loud which awakened the true clown in her -- she started pulling faces, sticking out her tongue, making crazy hand gestures, ... When the nurse came in to turn off the nebulizer, Kaya tried to order a corn dog.

All of this at about 1:30 a.m.

This is one reason we love Kaya.

It's About Time...

Sadie is only the second child, and I'm already not documenting her growth and cuteness as much as I did her sister's. Years from now I hope she isn't heartbroken or resentful or feeling like I don't love her as much. Life is just so much different now than it was when Kaya was a baby. (I promise I am cherishing your development just as much, Sadie!)

Here are some things we don't want to forget about Sadie (at 21 months) -

- How she bends down in our faces with a cocked head, big smile, and bright eyes, raised eyebrows and just stares at us. I wish I had a picture of it but this one is impossible to capture with a camera. It's so spontaneous and absolutely adorable.

- The quizzical and even concerned expression that she often has. Like this...

- When she wants to go outside she'll get our shoes and/or jacket and give them to us and say "Side! Go!"

- She's become quite bossy. She'll grab me by the hand or pull on my pants or push me to get me to go where she wants me. This is accompanied by a forceful " 'Mon! Mommy! 'Mon!" (C'mon.)

- Her favorite thing to do is read, read, read. She would read constantly all day if we would appease her. Instead, we probably read about 20 or 30 books a day. If it's quiet for some time and I don't see her, I always know she is perfectly content in front of the bookshelves with all the books on the floor paging through them.

- She loves to give kisses and won't typically say goodbye to anyone without giving them a kiss.

- She adores her friends and babysitters, talking about them at random times and even including them in her prayers [Co (Cole), Casey, E'sa (Elsa), C0'e (Chloe), June]

- She misses Kaya when they are apart for even 30 minutes. She calls for "Ka" when Kaya is away somewhere, and when Sadie wakes up she immediately calls and looks for her big sister.

- She can now say "Kaya" and sometimes with force when she wants her sister's attention.

- The way she says "apple juice". It's my favorite thing she says. Sounds something like "a'po shjuice".

- She loves to sing and dance and moves any time she hears music. Right now she is learning the ABC's and walks around the house singing the song.

- How cute she is when she says "I'na o'd you!" (I want to hold you.)

- She's doing great with the potty. Today at the park she told me she needed to go and after running 1/4 mile to the bathroom had success! She is even dry most nights.

- She can fill in all the blanks to the "popcorn popping" song and a few of her favorite books.

- She ALWAYS says "peas" and "tank you". The funny thing is that any time she gives anybody something she says "tank you."

- How playful she is. She loves to come up close to your face and say BOO and then she smiles her big smile and laughs.

Kaya's 4th Birthday Party

On August 10th, Kaya turned 4. I can hardly believe it. I know all parents say that - but really! It happened so fast.

Here are some milestones of Kaya's year as a 3 year-old (not including things I've already posted about):

- She became a Sunbeam. Kaya loves Primary and is often described as "the best singer in there."

- We started having dance parties - just mom and the girls. We turn on Ben Folds or Ben Kweller or Regina Spektor or "Bobbie McGee" or "Rosa Parks" and bust a move. This is perhaps when I get her laughing the hardest. I still don't know if she's laughing at me or with me...

- She started watching non-cartoon movies. Her favorites are E.T., The Princess Bride, The Wizard of Oz, and the Star Wars series.

- She became true friends with her little sister. Kaya is a loving, kind, fun big sister. She loves to make Sadie laugh and will even injure herself doing it. (For some reason, Sadie thinks it's funny when Kaya bangs her head against things...)

- She made several new friends - all of them at least a year older than her. Her favorite playmates are Cole (5), Salina (6), Kate (7) and June (7). She also has some 3 year-old friends, but she'd much rather play with their older sisters.

- She attended preschool for 6 months until I realized it was not the best fit for her. Kaya is a girl full of energy and a desire to be active and social. Too much structure/too many rules does not really work out great for her. She's also a super smart girl. I'm beginning to wonder about what type of schooling is going to be best for her. We're doing Joy School now and loving it.

- She's turned into such a good helper for Mommy. She loves to do dishes, fetch things for me, "read" to Sadie, carry Sadie, take dangerous things away from Sadie...

- I'll probably add to this list as more things occur to me and I have more time...
BASICALLY, SHE IS AMAZING AND I LOVE HER LIKE CRAZY!

Ever since Kaya's 3 year-old Princess Party, she has been talking about having a butterfly party. So, we did it. All the girls got Dollar Store butterfly wings. They got their faces painted by Kaya's babysitters; we did butterfly spin-art; and they did a relay race - acting out a caterpillar crawling then rolling in a cocoon (blanket) then putting on butterfly wings and flying home.


Left to Right - Cole (5), Zach (6), Salina (6), Kaya (4), June (7), Kiera (3), Danika (7), Kylee (3)
I just think it's funny that she thinks she's so old. I probably won't think it's as funny when she's 12 (if the trend continues...)

A Quick Catch-up

Regretting my long hiatus, I am going to do a brief catch-up consisting mostly of pictures and a few points that describe our months of August and September..

1. A few sweet moments...

We went to "Sweets" Candy Factory for a tour with my friend Candice and her kids and our Ferre friends - Chloe, Elsa, and June. The kids were surprisingly obedient and didn't touch one piece of candy until they were allowed. Great test of will power!
Got off a work phone call and walked into this picture of sweetness - daddy and daughters reading scriptures. I'm a lucky girl.

Sadie being a cutie - more on her cuteness in a separate post.
2. Time in the great outdoors...

This was up Big Cottonwood Canyon by Brighton.

Up Little Cottonwood at Tanner's Flat campground. I took the girls up for a picnic.
We went on a little hike and came back to our lunch like this. Little rascal squirrels!
Kaya took this picture.


(Shortly after this, I dropped my camera in the creek and it won't turn on. UGH!)


This is at Cecret Lake up Little Cottonwood Canyon - a quick drive from our house.
Victoria and Geoffrey came for a quick visit. It was great seeing you guys!





3. Visits from old college friends. So good to see you Laura and Kemy! Thanks for taking the time to visit when you were in town! Love you girls!

Kaya's boy problems

A couple of days ago I overheard Kaya trying to convince, beg and manipulate a boy to marry her. He continued to refuse and she punished him by hitting and jumping on him.

Yesterday she started crying and yelling because a mean boy kissed her.

Ok, so she really acted this out between her barbies, but I'm a little concerned that she's too wrapped up in boy problems already!

Labor Day at the Cabin

We spent Labor Day at the cabin. It was the ultimate relaxing vacation - well as relaxing as it gets with kids under your care. Kaya was playing so hard with her cousins that we hardly saw her the whole weekend. There were times when I actually missed her even though she was never more than a couple hundred yards away... ok, that sounds far. Truth is, we didn't always know where she was, BUT she was with her older cousins exploring and having adventures, and we never worried. It was a very welcomed break.

We spent our time riding the Ranger, hiking around, talking, and reading a lot. We even got some late night hours of Nerts in. Now, that's our idea of fun! :)


Adam and Eve...








Loved spending time with my beautiful sister and her girls. Love you, Ang!




It took Sadie a bit, but after a day Sadie warmed right up again to Papa. Thanks for another fun time at the cabin, Dad and Joanne!

Laguna Beach - Long Overdue

Ok, so we were spoiled last month (thanks to Mom) and got to spend nearly a week at Laguna Beach with part of my family. It's been a month now, and I'm finally getting around to posting about it - even now I'm thinking about so many other things I should be doing. But, alas, the regrets of not documenting my family life are overpowering the regrets of not cleaning my house, working on Young Women stuff, and organizing my Arbinger work piles. So, here goes...

LAGUNA BEACH!!! :)

Fun in the waves...

The girls had no fear. Really. They wanted to go deeper and deeper and catch bigger and bigger waves. The first morning my mom, Kaya, and I walked across the beach with our pajamas on while everyone else was sleeping. I should have known better. Kaya ran straight into the water (which was freezing cold) and rolled and rolled in the sand, letting the waves rock her, laughing hysterically. My little beach girl. I couldn't be happier about it.





Fun in the sand...

Fun activities...

There was a cool art festival just around the corner from our place. I got to help Ryan throw a bowl. :)
A seal rescue place nearby.
Early morning bike rides.
Fun with cousins...




So as not to be unrealistic, there were just a few moments that weren't fun (including being shammed by the owners of our rental house and unable to move in for a day) ... but just a very few.

"The Happiest Place on Earth"

While we were visiting California for our beach trip (coming up in the next post...), my mom and I took Kaya to Disneyland. Unfortunately, I didn't do a very good job of taking pictures. It was Kaya's first time, and we were running around like crazy people on a mission to fit in everything! And, we did. Well, all the important things anyways. We did the Matterhorn (Kaya did not like the monster), It's a Small World (twice), Space Mountain, Rocky Mountain Railroad, Pirates, Splash Mountain, the Jungle Safari, Tarzan's Treehouse, the lame pirate island, and even did Dumbo while we were waiting for the fireworks to start. The fireworks, by the way, were AMAZING! We got front row seats in front of the castle and it was worth staying until almost midnight.

By 2 p.m., Kaya was all tuckered out and needed a little nap, so we rode the train around for about 30 minutes.


We were even lucky enough to see a lot of characters. Kaya was hilarious with every one of them, too. (I expected it, having seen her get super excited over the Chick-fil-A cow and Chuck E. Cheese.)

With Pluto, she asked if he would go visit Goofy with her. (Goofy was across Main Street.)
When we saw Goofy in Toon Town she asked where Mickey was and if he would take her to Mickey. She then asked Goofy if he'd go inside his house with her.
When she saw Mickey, she sang the song to Mickey Mouse Clubhouse ("Hot dog, hot dog, hot diggety dog..."). She also said, "I'm so excited to see you. We waited for a long time!"

When it came to the Princesses, she was surprisingly shy and intimidated. I mean, I don't blame her. These are THE Princesses - the same ones she watches over and over, dresses like, dances like, sings the songs to. They're practically her heros, and she got to meet them in person! (Thanks to Grandma Raine for standing in line for one hour and 45 minutes so that Kaya could have one on one time with THE Princesses.)

Cinderella taught Kaya how to do a princess pose. You will see it in a lot of pictures from here on out. I'm talking post-Disneyland pictures. It's been 3 weeks and she is still doing that darn princess pose in nearly every picture.
Kaya wore a princess shirt to Disneyland that day. It had Cinderella, Sleeping Beauty, and Belle on it. When she saw Snow White she sincerely apologized in the sweetest, soft voice, "I'm sorry you're not on my shirt." And Snow White, without the skip of a beat, replied, "That's ok, I think I was the one taking the picture of my friends so that they could be on your shirt." I wanted to tip her, but decided that might be inappropriate.


Sleeping Beauty (Kaya likes to correct me and tell me she is "Princess Aurora") taught Kaya how to curtsy. We didn't catch a picture of it, but it's all in my head. Very awkward and so cute.
One of my favorite parts of the whole day was when we were walking down Main Street at 11:15 p.m. Kaya was in the stroller and had been quiet for quite some time. I was sure she was asleep until she said in her quiet, weary voice, "Mom... can I eat what I smell?" She had no idea what it was but she knew that she wanted it. Do you know the smell - the smell of Main Street, Disneyland? I can smell it right now if I close my eyes and imagine it - sugary sweet baked goods luring you to spend 10 more dollars for one last morsel of Disneyland goodness. Of course, we did.

Family Visit

Before our trip to the cabin for the 4th of July, we were lucky enough to have my mom and sister-in-law, Laura, and her kids come stay for five days. WE LOVED IT! (Anyone else that wants to visit, you are welcome. We'd love to have you!)

Here are some pictures of our fun times...

On a hike 5 minutes away from our house up to some falls.



Gotta love Twister!
Grandma is so fun to get down and wrestle with the kiddos. Turned into cuddling at the end.
Redhead Number 1
Redhead Number 2
The Aquarium just down the road is a great Summer and Winter escape from the elements. Surprisingly, it's actually very cool.
We took a trip up the canyon for a cookout. This is up Millcreek Canyon.
Sadie loves her cousin "Nanny."

"Ta da!"

A Recommendation

An image: I am sitting on an airplane full of people reading a book with tears streaming down my face. Kaya is next to me watching a movie, laughing, singing, and occasionally looking at me with questioning eyes. "What's wrong, Mom? Why are you crying? Are you sad?" I'm pulled back to reality and notice people all around me, but I cannot stop reading, and I cannot stop crying.

The Book Thief. It is different and entertaining and beautiful and masterfully written. In the end, after reading 500 plus pages about the beauty, pains, and ugliness of humanity, I love people more because I read it.

Little Sleep, Lotta Fun, Lotta Dirt

It's become tradition to go down to my dad's cabin on Cedar Mtn. for the 4th of July. We love the small town parade and park festivities, but not nearly as much as the raw, dirty, laid-back fun of the cabin.

Here I am at Brianhead Ski Resort. Richard, cousin Jess, and I went mountain biking... and I HATED IT! I like mtn. biking a lot of times, but this trail kicked my butt.
Cousins at the parade, with Jojo and Jess in the background.
My beautiful sister Angi holding our sweet Sadie.


Check out Sadie's hair! This was after a good ride on the "four-rider."
Another one.
A beautiful girl.
Cuddling cousins watching fireworks over the city.
Poor Marju the Barbie. Apparently, Kaya loves to torture her. First she gives the barbie a hideous name, second she dunks her in mud. The name really is funny though. The barbie sings (well, used to sing) "...I am a girl like you!" And Kaya thought it said, "I am a girl Marju!"

These two girls love princesses. One of them acts like one. I'll let you guess which one.
If you didn't guess correctly, this picture gives it away.
We took a break from the cabin and drove to Kanab to see Grandma Thelma (Grandma Gram to the great-grandkids.)



So, you see the fun and the dirt. What you don't see is the lack of sleep that occurred because of sharing a loft with 10 other people and a baby at night. Sorry to everyone else who had to share with Sadie, too.

Music to my ears

"An't nai-nee" = "I want night-night."
I was so excited I screamed when she said that. It's perhaps the only request I will drop everything to grant.

Crazy for Coasters!

We got to go to Lagoon (on free passes!) a couple of weeks ago. We took some of Kaya's friends (and our favorite babysitters). I need to (and will) dedicate a whole post to how wonderful these girls are and how grateful we are for them. That post will come soon. For now, Chloe and Elsa, we love you!
Kaya just barely made it on to all the big rollercoaster rides. And, she loved every one of them. This girl loves a good thrill.

Sadie got to go on her first big ride.
She didn't mind the height, but the water squirting in her face was not her idea of fun.

I was sitting in front of Kaya and Chloe on the old rickety wooden rollercoaster.

This one was taken right after Kaya rode Wicked - a coaster with a "wicked" cool vertical drop.
Yep. She did this one, too.
This picture speaks 1000 words.

You know Kaya loves you when...

...she wants a picture of you painted on her face.

I took the kids to a city festival with some friends of ours last Thursday. All the kids (minus Sadie) got their faces painted. The booth was decorated with dozens of face art possibilities - flowers, unicorns, hearts, rainbows... Kaya watched her friends get a dolphin, a butterfly, and a superhero. When it was Kaya's turn the face painter asked Kaya what she wanted on her cheek. Her answer...

My dad.
You want a picture of your dad?
Yeah.
Well, I can put "I love Dad." Will that be okay?
Umm. Sure.

A perfect early Father's Day present. (And perfect day-of Father's Day present framed and packaged.)

Youth Conference

(missing a carload of people)

Richard and I were given the assignment to head up a conference for the 14-18 year-old youth in our church congregation. We chose to take them out of cell phone reception to the remote river beds of the Colorado. It was a 3 day/2 night trip out of Moab. We had 36 teenagers and 7 leaders to help us. Our theme was how Nature testifies of a Creator. Our scripture was Alma 30:44:

"...But Alma said unto him: Thou hast had signs enough; will ye tempt your God: will ye say, Show unto me a sign, when ye have the testimony of all these thy brethren, and also all the holy prophets: The scriptures are laid before thee, yea, and all things denote there is a God; yea, even the earth, and all things that are upon the face of it, yea, and its motion, yea, and also all the planets which move in their regular form do witness that there is a Supreme Creator."

We used The Seven Paths of the ANASAZI Way to supplement with lessons and discussions. We focused specifically on Light and Water. This book is a beautifully written, simple read that describes how the different elements of Nature point us to God. If you have any interest in Nature, you should read it. Our readings spurred intelligent group discussions that were deep and meaningful. I was blown away by these kids' insight.

We had such a great time and think the youth did too.

Highlights - not having to cook for everyone (the river company did it all); a relaxing break from caring for small children; getting to know the AMAZING youth in our ward; camping under the stars; enjoying the beautiful scenery; riding the rapids; cuddling with my hubby in our tent; learning from the youth in our devotionals; getting a Chaco line.

Lowlights - freezing water and cloudy, windy weather.

Here are a few photos...




These are our guides after an ice cream sundae fight.

More Left-over May Pictures

This is before I figured out a contraption to keep the snack cupboard closed.

A rare treat... the adults in the family who live in the Mesa area got to go out to dinner without children! So sad that Richard wasn't with us.The babies love baths in Grandma's super deep sink. I love it, too - so much easier than a bathtub!

At Hogle Zoo while Grandma was in town.

Me and Sadie with Angie and Inoke Lloyd. So glad they're back to the mainland - and in Utah, too!
Jonah and Kaya. She was keeping a straight face on purpose. Isn't he adorable?

The Coolest Park Ever

Every Salt Lake or Provo visitor should visit this park. It is in Pleasant Grove - in between SLC and Provo - and worth the drive. I love the creativity it encourages with so many different forts, bridges, hallways and bridges to climb on, run through and hide behind. These pictures hardly do it justice. The place is HUGE!

Richard and I were entertained for 15 minutes trying to make it across this moving balance beam.
A family slide!


We had a picnic there with our friends Kyle and Kelly (Keebs) Clark and their boys. So fun! Here is "Keebs" with two of her boys on my favorite park toy. I didn't catch the top of it, but these two swings were connected at the top by one swinging bar. SO, when one person swinged, the other swing automatically went back and forth. You know what this means, right? No need to push your toddler on the swing! Brilliant!

Random May Pictures of Kaya...

ROAR! We love to go to Chick-Fil-A on Wednesday nights for Free Kids Meals and face painting. Kaya wanted to be a lion - because, she said, her "hair is crazy like a lion's. And it matches her shirt."


One morning I had asked Kaya NOT to dig in the dirt in her pajamas. Later, I caught her outside again digging in the dirt and ironically singing, "I will go, I will do the things the Lord commands..." Hmmm. Wish she would more often do what I command...

We had been eating dinner as a family when Kaya got up to use the bathroom and didn't come back for about 5 minutes. I went to check on her and this is how I found her.
"Look, Mom!" she said, "I'm a snowman!"
Kaya would prefer to just wear panties all day long. I'm constantly asking her to put clothes on if she's going to play outside. Unfortunately, I don't have pictures of the many times I've found her outside digging in the mud naked. This one is a pretty conservative shot of her helping me paint the gate, but cute nonetheless.

Does this swimsuit make me look fat?

Yes, Sadie, you are squishy, and we love to hug and squeeze and cuddle every bit of your chunky body!