Just like riding a bicycle, and other myths….

You know when you think you know exactly what you’re doing, because you’ve done it so many times before (even if you haven’t done it for a while---and you thought you'd never do it again), it should be “just like riding a bicycle”???
Here’s the bicycle metaphor for my life right now….
Even though I thought I was a pro at bicycle riding---this is my 6th journey after all, it turns out the bike is in terrible shape this time. It’s old and rusty, some of the parts are broken and irreparable, and it has never been off-roading before. So far the journey is not quite half over and there is no smooth path in sight.
How’s that???
What I mean to say is.....this pregnancy has been kicking my behind. As excited as I am to be on this journey again, I spend the majority of my days sick in bed. So far, I’ve had the added bonus of 5 additional weeks (past the usual 12) of “morning, i.e. all day sickness” (and counting) and a few complications that I’ve never experienced in the past (or even heard of). Turns out it’s nothing like riding a bicycle.
But nothing good comes without a price, right? My excitement and optimism have become slightly hidden in the fog, but they’re still there. Plus, I’ve become sort of like the human TV Guide, so the past 4 months haven’t been entirely lost.
At times I remember that I have a blog and email and phone messages to respond to, but I usually end up right back in bed before I actually finish those thoughts.
For a little while, I discovered what I thought was a “miracle drug”. It allowed me to go on a couple brief trips and enjoy myself. Future blog posts to follow….
But the miracle ended, and the medicine stopped working….alas. Back in bed…more TV to watch.

Angel Day

A few quotes that have helped me through the past 365 days....

" The Lord takes many away, even in infancy, that they may escape the envy of man, and the sorrows and evils of this present world; they were too pure, too lovely, to live on earth"

(Joseph Smith)

"The cavity which suffering carves into our souls will one day also be the receptacle of joy."

(Neil A. Maxwell)

"The gift of resurrection is the Lord’s consummate act of healing. Thanks to Him, each body will be restored to its proper and perfect frame. Thanks to Him, no condition is hopeless. Thanks to Him, brighter days are ahead, both here and hereafter. Real joy awaits each of us—on the other side of sorrow."

(Russell M. Nelson)

One day last February, Zach was playing with the hose in the front yard. For some reason, Dave took about a hundred pictures of him. He had so much joy in being outside on this unexpected warm day. 3 days later he left our home for a better place. The day he left us, we learned how close heaven truly is.

Not a day goes by that we don't think of him, not a minute. Today, one year after that terrible night on February 13, 2008, I am again overwhelmed by the knowledge that families are forever. I will be able to look into his big brown eyes once again and know that it was all worth it.

Birthdays and Other Good Times (part 2)

Great times with Heidi and Gabe

We were so lucky to have a visit from Dave's sister Heidi and her youngest son Gabe a couple weeks ago. (And not just because she made us delicious raspberry shortbread cookies).

"Just the girls" got to spend a fun day shopping, eating out, and going to a movie---all my favorite things!

Claire and Gabe have been great friends since birth.

Here's a painting of them from when they were about 18 months old.

They always have so much fun together.

One morning, Claire asked for hot chocolate so that she and Gabe could "go camping". They had worked really hard on creating this little fire circle in the backyard with firewood and bricks. All the kids had lots of fun spending time with their cousins--it's their favorite thing to do in this world!One night, Claire and Gabe wanted to sleep outside in the clubhouse. Justin was a good big brother and braved the cold night so they wouldn't be alone out there.

Dave and his sisters--I love that they're such great friends!


Thanks Britt, Daniel, Lily and Tate for letting us have Heidi and Gabe for a few days!


Week-long Birthday Celebrations
Between birthday lunches, parties, gifts, phone calls and messages---I've never felt so "celebrated" in my life. Thanks for helping me feel so loved!

Thanks Julie for the DELICIOUS cake!

A triple birthday celebration for me, Dave, and my birthday buddy Andrew. Thanks Launa for including us in this Fabulous party!!!

Why I'm so glad Lauren got a camera for Christmas---I would have missed out on some of these special sister (and cousin) moments....

It's almost as if they like each other----I don't get to see that very much :)

Okay, note to self---shorter posts, not so many pictures, less is more...

New Year's, birthdays, and other Good Times (that's right, part 1)

Happy 2009!

For New Year's Eve, we had a very impromptu little get-together. There was good food, fun friends, karaoke, ping pong, party games, and lots of bubbling beverages. (Diet coke and cider, of course.)

So glad Jake and Rachel were able to spend New Year's with us---and that we learned all about Jake's hidden karaoke skills
We were so happy to have good friends to ring in the New Year with! Thanks for joining us!

The Babysitter---she was GREAT!

Happy Birthday Dave!

I've noticed in friends blogs that---on occasion of their anniversary or their husband's birthday---they will "spotlight" how great their husband is and publicly declare their love. That would be really nice of me to do, wouldn't it? Maybe I'll do that sometime---when he leasts expects it---like on the day he gives me $1000, just for the heck of it or loses his job or something. Just not on his birthday--too cliche. :)

Um, thanks Mom and Dad for....this.....unusual....gift.

We did have fun celebrating his day---out to dinner with Julie and Glenn and then home for cake and presents. What else is there?

A Visit from the Guthries

We're so glad our great Guthrie friends stopped off to see us during thier busy move from North Carolina to Nevada. We've been friends since the good 'ol BYU days and haven't seen them in years---we got to reminisce over the good times (camp outs, backyard BBQ's, etc.) and the bad (kids smearing peanut butter all over our furniture).

Kailee and Lauren (the peanut butter culprits) actually remembered each other---and some of their escapades.

Claire and Jake--meeting for the first time in person.Their visit was too brief but filled with fun---we hope to have an extended visit sometime soon!

More good times....to be continued....