on my mind

• So prepared for Christmas this year it's scary.  But this, however, could be largely related to the fact that I have banned myself from any homemade gifts.  That's right, bring on the thoughtless commercialism over here.  
• Spent the night outdoors at Zoo Lights in the subzero weather with my side of the family.  Got a little awkward when random people assumed our mass meant there was free hot chocolate and donuts for all.  And then it just got really, really cold.
• Met with our potential doula last week.  Went relatively well.  Okay, I admit that when she was talking about tender moments she's witnessed in other births I totally started crying.  I blame it generally on my raging hormones, but must admit I am so ready for a good birth experience.  And the third time WILL be the charm.  
• Speaking of pregnancy the 4 year old hasn't officially been told that number 3 is on it's way.  Sure, shes suspicious especially since we brought the bassinet home and are storing it in the spare bedroom.  Christmas morning will be the big announcement.  In fact we are going to have the ultrasound tech wait to inform us if its a girl or boy and all discover together Christmas morning.
• I'm just going to say it: telling the 2 year old boy "don't touch the Christmas Tree" 50 times a day and then some is getting a little old...and it's only the 7th.  Sigh.
• Found three potential holiday go-to outfits yesterday while out shopping with a friend.  Everything about this is a plus.
• Neighbor gifts (or lack thereof) were officially all delivered last night.  We have always lived in a neighborhood that supports a local charity instead of gift-giving.  As far as I know, this neighborhood doesn't have the same deal going, so we decided to deliver cards that explain that's what we do.  Stressed forever about how this might come across, but it is done.  
• And if there's room for total negativity in my thoughts today: Christmas Street has been a bit disappointing this year.  There used to be a huge inflatable Frosty in one of the yards and he is not to be found anywhere.  And this family has two young very dedicated Frosty groupies that are severely disappointed.  Any suggestions?  
• Although I profess to be all squared away for the 25th, I'm still debating about Christmas cards.  We failed to get family pictures this year (thank you pregnancy fog) so it'll be just a kid picture, but can't make up my mind if I should crank one out or not.  Seeing as how we have yet to get a picture that I will endorse sending to 100 of my closest friends, we might opt out this year.  And yet...
• The 4 year old commented that we have 3 different nativities (she referred to them as Jesus's) in our living room right now.  "Mom, we are SO lucky!"

Christmas Prep

Did you know how cool we are at our house?

Well let me fill you in.  Santa (the big guy himself) has us on speed dial.  That's right.  He called us last week.  Talked to me personally on the phone. (By the way, he said to tell you "hi")  Anyway, turns out he had a specific message for our 4 year old.  He needed her to carefully go through her toys and decide what she didn't need anymore so that there could be room for the new ones he's bringing on Christmas.  (And oh boy, there will be some good stuff coming.)

I told miss A this as she was going to bed the night before Thanksgiving.  ("Guess who just called?!")  And she instantly assumed she would be giving away her Lion.  You know, the toy she's slept with every night since she was around 3 months old?  We assured her this wasn't the case, and that is was the toys she never plays with that other kids might like to play with.

It seemed to stress her out, because she kept bringing it up all the next day.  I was busy with Thanksgiving prep and figured we'd go through her room together later with a garbage sack.  But she beat me to it.  With relief in her voice she came and told me she had found the toy:

Some little polly-pocket-something-or-other from a kid's meal prize.  Great.  Now I can call Santa back and tell him we have loads of room for him.

I then went through with the giant garbage bag (by myself) and made some selections from both kid's rooms (where do all these trinkets come from?) and will be stopping by the DI later while a certain someone is at dance class.  

Let me know if you need a word put in with the big guy.

the one about the kitchen

Last week for a Relief Society activity night, I was asked to speak on what I was grateful for.  I actually found this really hard to do.  How do you talk about how your life's been blessed without it coming across as how MUCH you have, perhaps lending others to start the comparison game of what they don't have.

Anyway, I chose some topics that I think worked and kept it light.  You know me, sarcasm has always been my safety blanket.  But I would like to share here what was forefront in my mind but didn't share.

It has been a little over a year since we made the big move to Grandma and Grandpa's house.  I can't believe it.  At this time a year ago we still had two of the most amazing grandparents around blessing our lives.  December is when it disappeared all too quickly.   But at this time last year, they had moved to assisted living, and us to their home.  

It was hard at first, probably for too many reasons to list here.  Hard to feel like we were suddenly invaded a space that was special not only to us, but all of our family as well.  Yet, I really felt strongly that we needed to make this house our own.  So two weeks solid were spent de-wallpapering.  (possibly the worst way to spend one's time.)  Each room had it's own special wallpaper.  One room was even covered in a grass wallpaper that I discovered I was allergic to.  It was exhausting but well worth all the effort to give us a clean canvas for our family's changes.

Before all the work began, we took some before pictures...you know of just the way Grandma and Grandpa had it.  I just spent some time looking through them, and I am actually shocked at how there isn't a single room that looks totally different.  It feels like us now when we walk in the door, but we kept some elements of our well-respected loved ones so they weren't erased.

Here are some before pictures of grandma and grandpa's kitchen.

It is important to note that the wall paper had pink ribbons and green artichokes in it.  It wasn't until that came down that I realized the cabinets were two different colors (top and bottom).  Also, for tall people that center row of cabinets were frustrating.  Bug and I had differing opinions on this one: remove them all (me) or keep them for storage (bug).  We ended up compromising in the end.

Although it was tempting to replace everything and start afresh, Bug reminded me we have a ridiculously tight modest budget.  Actually these cabinets are amazing.  Each drawer rolls out, there are specific drawers for flour and sugar, a spice cabinet that is the envy of some, and very solidly built.  I just wasn't digging the fleshy color.  Or the yellow counter-tops for that matter.  What can I say?

Enter in simply solutions time: paint the cabinets.  I have always dreamed of having a white kitchen.  And I am not disappointed.  Although pounding out this project in a weekend was a bit overkill on my part.  But this meant instead of forking out $ for cabinets I could upgrade our laminate counter tops and the stove top to gas...enter in my unbridled excitement!

Other loves: how it has brightened this room up, the new hardware (I admit, I cried when I put it on...but that was admittedly probably due most to fatigue), the granite counter tops, the tin back-splash under the microwave...I could go on and on.

 

Not to mention a new sink.  When I get to heaven, one of my top 5 questions for grandma will be "why in heaven's name did you put up with your tiny sink for so long?" I think it's meant to wash a teacup.  Bug was excited that  I am now thrilled to do the dishes, and it isn't accompanied by any cussing from water overflows.

I would't feel right if I left out the disclaimer that when the project fund gets back up again, we will attack the flooring.  (so sue me if white carpet under the kitchen table isn't a favorite of mine...or laminate flooring. bleh.)  And if I can pull it off: a new fridge (that doesn't stand out like a sore thumb) and a double oven that was made at least during my lifetime and not 3 decades earlier would be nice.

And remember how cool I thought the flour and sugar drawers were?  Apparently so did our toddler. 10 minutes before we had to head out the door.

He discovered it.

And has loved it ever since.

the halloween one

I shudder to think of the time when A finally realizes most people get to pick what they want to be for Halloween.  For now, I highly manipulate recommend what she will be each year.  And since I know the window of recommending is closing quickly I like the kiddos to have some sort of theme.

Last year they were Little Bo Peep and her Sheep.  This year they were yard art.

Behold the garden gnome.  This gnome ran at top speeds the entire evening.  And although he discarded the beard immediately, we count ourselves lucky he kept the hat on for most of the night.  Also, I did clue in and roll up his sleeves after the picture was taken as well.

 And every yard needs a pink flamingo.  (thanks to my mom for her mad sewing skills on this one)  A has a tutu, a wing cape, and tail feathers to complete her look.  What 4 year old girl can't resist dressing in that much pink I ask you?

 And for the first time in years, Bug and I got in on the action.  These are the greatest pictures, but they'll give you the idea.  Bug dressed up as my idol when I was 10: good old Bob Ross from The Joy of Painting.  You know the guy, the one with the Afro on PBS who always talked like he was high on something other than life?  And everything in his world was happy?  Which inspired my costume as a Happy Little Tree.

I don't want to brag, but we did win funniest costume.  

(But I think that might of had to do more with "bob's" dance moves.)

Also, when I explained what we were going to be to my mom, her reply was "remind me what Bob Villa has to do with a happy tree again?"  Good try mom, at least both are PBS superstars...

Anyway, it was a fun Halloween for us this year.  Complete with pumpkin decorating, preschool trick-or-treating, parties every weekend for the past several weeks, boo at the zoo, visits to pumpkin patches, and finally trick or treating as a family in great weather in the best neighborhood that includes homemade doughnuts at one neighbors and ends with us all cuddled around fire pits drinking hot chocolate at another's.

A was pretty disappointed that it was all over this morning.  

She said "Mom I have a good idea: maybe I should wear my flamingo costume for Christmas!"

yep

Around here, it seems some phrases just keep repeating themselves.  Such as:

"Who's ready to watch another show?" (me to kids)
"I promise I got ready today" (me to Bug)
"I don't feel so good." (me...about every hour)

Yep, it means that baby #3 is on its way.  And our house seems to have shut down from day one.  This one has been hard (not made any easier by the bout of stomach flu I experienced on top of the constant nausea).  The house hasn't been cleaned in forever, my kids could easily file neglect charges against me, and Bug has been running all over this city to find some sort of food that will pass the test.  And also might explain why I cut all cooking off my 30 before 30 list (gross) and celebrated on my actual birthday dinner at Crown Burger (unthinkable) because I let Bug pick the restaurant since nothing sounded remotely tempting.  Don't feel too bad for me though, because the next night I was in the mood for steak and potatoes...

Don't get me wrong: we are definitely excited.  The little one should make its debut in early May.  One of my most favorite moments is in the doctor's office hearing the first sound of the heartbeat, the first connection to a tiny life.  We haven't told the kids yet. Which, can you blame us?  It would be like asking them what they wanted for Christmas in January.  But I am sure A can't remember life before mom's tummy didn't hurt.  She also excitedly discovered in the car the other day that we have room for one more kid in between her and her brother.  Perhaps Santa will break the news?

Anyway, if you have had this funny feeling like I've fallen off the face of the earth...I have.  But I'll be back.  Just give me one more month and I'll be ready to tackle it all once more.  I may even one day cook dinner for my family again.

what next?

Well friends, I made it.  All 30 goals were completed by my birthday, complete with a family getaway.  Thanks for all of your support in helping me get there.  It was really challenging to whip out all 30, especially since the day before my birthday I had my mom lined up to help me "sew something," and a friend take some pictures for my fb profile pic (which I felt insanely dorky doing) but it is done.

Here's to the next 30.

30 before 30 update

Warning: after taking the summer off from blogging this is one wordy post.

The countdown is on.  I have 2 weeks left ticking on the clock before the big birthday.  And as you know, I have been working hard for about a year for this to happen.  The big 30 before 30 list is nearly complete.

I have 25 goals accomplished.  25!  That still leaves me 5 to do, but I remain optimistic about them.  I will graduate to the next decade of my life as a successfully list-crosser-offer if it kills me.

And so, since some of you have been asking for updates here are the 25 complete items DONE.

(*I should mention that if you are one of my avid readers that followed along closely to my list that I have changed some goals.  No, I don’t consider this cheating because the replacement goals were done so because they still pushed me to reach a different potential.)

1. Put together a meal idea book.  This was probably the most productive goal that I benefit from every week.

2. Painted an oil painting to go over our stairwell in the entry way.  Bug even made the frame for it, bless him.

3. Met with Bugs aunt & uncle to peruse family photos.  Such a fun evening.  Love these dear people.  My next goal should be to do something with the photos they gave us.

4. Read the Book of Mormon.  And if you want to hear me brag: I did it in a month and a half.

5. Sold my first oil painting.  It was to a neighbor that has since become a dear friend as well…but I promise the friendship would have happened painting or no.

6. Saw the Little Mermaid in St. George this summer with my family.

7. Painted my kitchen cabinets. Why on earth did I pick a weekend my painting buddies were otherwise occupied? No matter, it is done.

8. Got new countertops in the kitchen & installed a new backsplash.  So excited about this one, especially since it included a new sink and gas stove top.  Both very much needed and appreciated.  You all really deserve a picture of this one.

9. Repurposed free standing jewelry box.  Love it.  Already couldn’t function with out it in our bedroom.

10. DI my clothes. Did this a while ago…probably time to do it again?

11. Printed off my blog for my mom

12. Sorted through every cupboard in my house. Now I know exactly how many towels, blankets and sheets we have.  Hooray for us.

13. Organized A’s room. 

14. Hosted a YW reunion dinner complete with homemade calzones.  Loved hanging out with the girls I dearly love and the leaders who were true friends.

15. Invited 4 new neighbors to dinner.  I specifically signed up for the neighborhood progressive dinner for this one, and was under a different impression on how this would go.  We ended up hosting 12 different couples for 3 different courses.  I feel I have satisfied this goal.

16. Host a craft party.  Amendment: Hosting Art night regularly for 3 months now.  I have 3 dear friends come with art supplies in tow, and we paint, sketch, and most importantly debrief about our roles as mothers.  This is hopefully a lasting tradition.

17.  Eat at least 1 serving fruit & veggies a day.  Amendment: I am much better than I used to be, but I made this goal a year ago and so to pick something more measureable, I made a dish with 2 foods I have no experience cooking with: Mango Quinoa Salad.  (Jenn thanks for the tip on this delicious recipe) I love mangos, but embarrassingly haven’t ever prepared one.  And the quinoa was ridiculously easy to prepare.  Yum

18. Go to Thanksgiving Gardens with Bug.  Have wanted to go with him for years, and finally made it happen.  Nothing beats a family picnic dinner in such a beautiful spot.

19. Updated my good reads profile.

20.  After much trial & error found my perfect shade of red lipstick.

21. Hung a picture of the temple in our house.  I am picky about what goes on my walls, but if the general authorities bring this topic up again for conference, I say: bring it on.

22. Take the South Temple Walking Tour.  This was definitely one of my more favorite goals to do. Bug and I just crossed this off on Labor Day, with the perfect cloud cover for a long walk we parked at 13^th east and walked to
    State Street
    , had lunch at the Lion House Pantry and walked back.  Such a beautiful part of our city so richly steeped in history.  Many thanks to a husband willing to go with me.

23. Consign something.  By now, my favorite consignment shop knows me by name.  And I am quickly finding myself addicted to this way of life.

24. Participate in a local flea market.  This one kicked my butt, but good things came out of it.  For example my most favorite pieces of art are now available as greeting cards.

25. Attended an author reading & signing event at a local bookstore.  The book store is so quaint, just like out of a scene from “You’ve Got Mail.”  It was fascinating to learn about the process an author goes through beginning with an idea and turning it into print.

As for the ones still to be completed:

1. Sew something.  My arch-nemesis.  I know what I want to sew…just need the materials and the discipline to do it.

2. Take a better facebook profile picture.  I hesitate putting this on here, because now you’re all going to remind yourself what mine is, and it’s terrible.  You could do me a big favor in the next 2 weeks if you see me looking particularly hot by taking my picture.  Because there are no pictures of me…I am the photographer, not the photographee.

3. Journal in the kid’s journal each month.  I just have September to do and I am done.

4. Watch all the shows on my BBC movie list.  This one has turned into a monster.  I originally started a year ago with 7 or 8 movies.  The list morphed into 17 since everyone had a great recommendation.  I have my last 3 movies on hold at the library and am anxiously awaiting the email telling me to come pick them up.

5. Be on vacation for my actual birthday.  Looks like this may happen.  Bug is in charge so I can’t give you the details, but it is requiring some finagling since my birthday is on a weekday.  So work will have to be skipped, and kids farmed out.  Darn.

And there you have it.  To recap in the next two weeks I’ll be watching movies and taking obnoxious pictures of myself.  Sounds like a great way to usher in a new decade of living.

Thanks to everyone for helping me thus far, and GOOD LUCK to all my friends involved in a similar project.

This has been so fun and rewarding…and challenging.  Glad I had the excuse to do something’s I otherwise never would have.

Wish me luck in the next few weeks.