Prehistoric Adventures & Dance PARTY

Miriam and I left Darin to fend for himself this week and took off to my parents house. We are having a family birthday party for Miriam this weekend (which Darin will drive down for) but my mom picked M and I up early. It is SO nice to be here. Miriam adores her cousins, and is entertained every minute. That is so wonderfully strange for me, I feel so free. I have been watching Marcus (4) in the mornings while my sister works which is fairly easy. He and Miriam had nothing in common (he is all superhero, Miriam is all princess ballerina) but they will play well together if no one else is here. Miriam ADORES Madison (8) and tells her over and over how much she loves her. Everytime Madison has left this weekend Miriam has hugged her and said "I will miss you so much!". Madison is good to play with her, until she just can't take the adoration anymore, and then she looks at me apologetically and I step back into my activities director roll. Josh (5) and Ali (3 3/4) are fun to have over too, they all seem to mesh together without too much struggle. Miriam thinks Josh is HILARIOUS, and Ali love princesses just as much as she does. The only downside to our visit is that Miriam has just gotten her second cold of the entire winter, and it's a doosie. So not only will we be exposing all the cousin to mucus germs, sleeping with Miriam has been rough. I think I got about 3 hours of sleep last night.

Today I took Marcus and Miriam to the CEU Prehistoic Museum. It was so wonderful! After living so long in the "big city" and putting up with 30 toddlers at storytime, at least that many at any given park, and sharing all museums with the masses, I was amazed that we had the musem TO OUR SELVES! Well, at first there was a father and son there but they left really quickly. Funny side story, the museum cashier thought we were a family (the three of us and the father and son) and took my $ thinking we were doing the family deal ($10 rather than $4 for adults and $2 per child). She dropped $10 in the donation box, gave me $10 back. I started to say something but the guy just shook his head and handed me a $5 with a wink. I couldn't make up my mind whether that was okay or not so we just walked in. We spent 45 min looking at dinasaur bones and fossils (they have an amazing collection) and then another 45 min in their kids playzone. We uncovered bones, put together a huge puzzle, read stories, and played with hand puppets. I can't believe I left our camera at home! I love the choices I have living in a big city, but this small city living has its charms.

Update 1/27/07: M's 3rd Birthday Party


We had Miriam's birthday party at Julia's dance studio (aka Miriam heaven). Julia did some dance & parachute games with the kids. She is amazing with little ones. I can't believe she puts up with whole classes full of 3, 4 & 5 year olds almost daily. The cousins and friend Hadley loved it. After the dancing Darin tied some balloon animals (he can also juggle, but good luck getting him to wear a clown outfit), and then the traditional cake, presents etc went down. To end the shin dig, we had party favors with punch balloons. We let the kids go hog wild in the studio while the adults sat adoring baby Claire and talking. It is so amazing to have a room where kids can go nuts-O and be removed from the rest of us. Thank you family (and Amanda) for coming, and especially thank you Julia!!!!

Miriam, Madison and Marcus decorated the cupcakes. I am going to make the darling groundhog ones for her actual birthday (for just Darin Miriam and I), but since this party was a week before groundhogs day it just seemed a little silly. I focused the camera on the cupcakes rather than on Miriam in the candle blowing pictures (ARGH) I made the same mistake last year.

We just had candy dripping cupcakes (yuck) and fruit for the eats. We went out for Chinese later that evening (thank you mom!).

Last picture of the day, Miriam in the costume Grandma and Grandpa bought her (with matching shoes and crown). She pranced around the studio while the other kids were whacking each other with punch balls. She couldn't take her eyes off the mirrors and kept saying "I look beauuuutiful!". My mom told us later that on the way home Marcus said "That was a wonderful party Miriam" and a few minutes later Miriam said "That was a nice party." So my two goals for the party were achieved. #1 I didn't have to babysit anyone else's kids and #2 the kids had a wild and crazy time without destroying anyones home (the studio is made for rough play).

Toxic Bubbles

While perusing the dollar store for quirky nonsense to send my brother in Brazil (along with some necessities), I came upon these toxic plastic bubbles. I remember Kristi posting awhile back about how much fun her girls had with them so I picked up a pack. I was quite excited about the fun Mark would have until Darin reminded me that you can't send flammable material through the mail. DRATS! So we had a fun Family Home Evening with them. We don't recommend the glow in the dark ones. They are much more fragile than the regular ones, and don't really glow in the dark.




I picked up Angelina's Baby Sister to give to Miriam when the baby is born. We have the baby Polly doll and stroller (perhaps carriage or pram is a better word? It is a British book after all) to give along with it. I am guessing that Miriam will have a bit of a struggle when the baby comes. She is very excited, and will be a wonderful helper, but she is use to having all my attention everyday (except for an hour of quiet play time...which I am struggling to enforce). Does anyone have any other good book ideas for big sisters? Actually, I am open to all suggestions and ideas to help Miriam with the transition. Help!

100 Things you never asked to know about me

#1 My name Elisa, (long E sound and then Lisa together) comes from my Dad's mission to Denmark, but the only Elisas I know are Mexican and Italian.

#2 I have a nightly nose cleaning ritual because I HATE when my nose whistles as I breath.

#3 The baby boy I am carrying has a 50% chance of being color blind.

#4 I am a VERY light sleeper (see #2).

#5 I served a mission to Boston Massachusetts

#6 My mission president was Dale Murphy, I had no idea who he was until my call (Major League baseball player).
#7 I graduated from Dixie College, The College of Eastern Utah, and the University of Utah, I should have a masters from all that time but my highest degree is a Bachelors.#8 I have three unrelated degrees, Travel and Tourism/Marketing from Dixie, just plain Associate of Arts from CEU and Bachelors degree in Exercise and Sport Science from the U.

#9 I seem confident on the outside, but am very hesitant and insecure on the inside.

#10 I have been para sailing, river rafting, and ridden few a zip lines. I think I missed my bungee chord window, I am not as adventurous these days.

#11 I have had a passport for 10 years (I think it expires this year) and have never been outside the country (except for Mexico).

#12 I have the habit of spreading myself too thin and as a result, don't feel I give my best to anything.

#13 I was on the tennis and swim teams in high school.

#14 I don't like to play games where people chase me, try to grab or take things from me, or depend on me too much. (notice I played sports where people were separated from me by some kind of barrier.)

#15 I was a "Makeup counter girl" for Elizabeth Arden during college.

#16 I over explain myself (as shown by this list...I can't make a statement and let it go).

#17 I prefer games of chance over games of strategy or skill ie. spoons as opposed to chess.

#18 I giggle and laugh in stressful situations (drives Darin nuts).

#19 I have been the pedestrian in an auto/pedestrian accident.

#20 The first time I met my husband I went home and told my mom "The cutest boy from New Hampshire just moved here". He vaguely remembers I was the girl wearing a red shirt.

#21 I was a Homecoming queen.

#22 I am BAD at math.

#23 I am GREAT at reading comprehension, unless it involves math.

#24 My two favorite classes in college were genetics and anatomy.

#25 I have ridden in a wolf helicopter, driven a tank and an army hummer.

#26 I twist my hair around my finger and brush it across my upper lip. I have tried to stop many times.

#27 I have a face I make when I look in the mirror (squinty eyed pursed lips), I know people don't believe me but I can not help it. Ask Darin, I have to really concentrate to stop it from happening. I have received so much harassment over it from sisters, roommates, companions and now Darin I would stop if I could.

#28 I LOVE hot chocolate.

#29 I have shot an M-16.

#30 I don't want any pets ever.

#31 I will allow a pet if my child needed it for emotional reasons.

#32 I am emotional.

#33 I am not good at confrontations (see above) and use avoidance rather than deal with unpleasantnesses. Bad habit.

#34 I love learning about healthy living.

#35 I love Dr. Andrew Weil, if I were to become a Dr. I would study osteopathic medicine under him (provided I could ever get accepted).
#36 I also love junk food and pop.

#37 I avoid Walmart and fast food if possible.

#38 I try to eat and buy from locally owned restaurants and stores.

#39 I worked nights and/or early mornings at a gas station.

#40 My main duty in that job was to stock beer.

#41 I am terrified of being accused of something I didn't do.

#42 I love J.Crew and Ann Taylor clothing but I have a Jo-Lo/BabyPhat body.

#43 I think I have a great clavicle.

#44 I haven't come to terms with my short muscular legs and thick calves.

#45 I have an overactive imagination.

#46 On a date while watching a scary movie, I became convinced that said date was going to kill me...that kind of overactive imagination.

#47 I love trying new foods, and learning about different cultures and religions.

#48 I was in student government all 3 years of high school and 2 years of Dixie college.

#49 I only listen to world news on the Classical 89 radio station because they broadcast the BBC and the British accent makes it seem less intense.

#50 I have never really been into classical music but I am currently in love with Classical 89.

#51 I have driven up an off ramp.

#52 I love pearls.

#53 I love being surrounded by moutains. They display the changing seasons so well. While in Mass I always felt semi lost without my majestic landmarks.

#54 I love seafood

#55 I don't really like to eat mammals. A little hamburger or roast once in awhile but thats it for me.

#56 Exceptions to above rule, Craig's ribs, and Gyros.

#57 I love to find good bargains.

#58 I don't like to HAVE to look for bargains.

#59 I love maps, globes, and atlases.

#60 I was in New York during the Blackout of 2002.

#61 I am obsessive about my daughter, I am hoping having a second baby will bring more balance into my life.

#62 My greatest fear is that Darin or one of my children will die.

#63 I have eaten pigs blood (I was told it was "chocolate sauce.")

#64 Darin and I made (designed, created in wax, and then cast in gold) each others wedding rings. Darin's idea, not mine I never would have thought of it, let alone thought I could do it.

#65 Darin is my best male friend, my mom is my best female friend.

#66 My sisters and I go in and out of friendship phases becoming closer or more distant, but at the end of the day I would do anything for them.

#67 I love to read, but when I am reading a good book I put everything on hold until I finish it, so I can't always be reading a good book or nothing else would get done.

#68 I am a yellow personality - motivated by fun and pleasure

#69 I listen to books on CD while I clean, it's the only way I can get through it.

#70 I collect charms when I travel.

#71 I have been to the following concerts: The Cure, Creedence Clearwater, Peter Brienholt/Ryan Shupe, and Everclear (it was free).

#72 I love pictures, I take a ton, and look at them over and over and over, never get tired of it.

#73 I like demolition derbies.

#74 I have kissed an almost stranger on a cruise (before I was married) just for a Love Boat experience. I was disappointed.

#75 I won $25 the first time I put $0.25 in a slot machine.

#76 I was engaged once before Darin, and I get physically ill when I think of the mistake I almost made.

#77 This list has taken me 3 days so far.

#78 I went to DEX Nationals in college.

#79 I was the Dixie College Marketing Student of the Year.

#80 I like to make jewelry, but don't do it often.

#81 Darin and I sleep on a full size mattress that is at least as old as we are.

#82 While in labor with my first child, my water broke all over my husbands shoes.

#83 I love black boots with a modest heel, and slightly tapered toe.

#84 I love penny loafers, black & shiny

#85 I want to visit Iceland, Denmark, Greece, and the Philippines.

#89 I go somewhere with my daughter every single day (storytime, Joy School, playgroup, the mall, etc) I can't stay home, I would go insane.

#90 I was proposed to while on my mission, by a 50 year old man who offered me "security".

#91 I love Sonic ice and buy it by the bag.

#92 I want to move away from Utah at some point, but I get sad when I think of my whole family being here without me.

#93 I am a small town girl.

#94 I love sledding, snowmobiling, and I love to ski when someone else is paying for the ticket.

#95 My faith is such a part of me, my history and my heritage I just can't imagine where or who I would be without it.

#96 I voice my opinion too much and too often. I don't think enough before I speak.

#97 I don't often get offended at others opinions because I assume that like me, they are just expressing current thoughts and views. It might change, and it doesn't affect me.

#98 I don't mind when people misspell things, make grammar mistakes, or mispronounce anything. It's the least I can do since I do all three on a regular basis. In fact, I rarely even notice.

#99 I LOVE weddings. I still read wedding magazines, and think of wedding ideas. When my dad was bishop (I believe I was like 7-13 yrs old) I went to all the ward receptions with him that I could, my mom preferred to stay home.

#100 I have the ability to make myself happy which I feel is my greatest blessing. I loved high school, I loved college, I loved my mission, I loved being a dirt poor newlywed, and I love being a young mother. None of these times in my life were perfect, or even what I had imagined or dreamed of, but I can find happiness in the little things.

I'm working on it....

I am still working on my 100 list. I am stuck at #94 and am drawing a blank. I think I need another day.

In other news....Miriam's birthday is on Groundhog's Day and I found cute groundhog cupcakes to make for her birthday. Miriam isn't in love with these and wants to decorate her own princess/ballerina cupcakes. So we will have some of each.

Here are her birthday cupcakes from last year. I am diggin' the cupcake thing, and love this stand I bought (at Michaels). They always turn out cute and are so easy to make thanks to Martha Stewart Kids and Family Fun.

I was looking at my wrinkles the other day and was reminded of a girl I use to work with in cosmetics at ZCMI. She had porcelain skin with very faint freckles and red hair. She worked Clinque but they didn't have a foundation fair enough for her skin so she had to cross brands (gasp!) and wear Lancome. She worked all day and only went outside to swim, hike or exercise at night. The first day I met her she said "hummmm, you've got sun damage at 19, you'll be hating life by 30". I don't know if I am mad at her for being right about the sun damage, or if I feel sad about her life of darkness. I love the feeling of sun on my skin. Does anyone have a great moisturizer recommendation??

Grandmothers

Yesterday was the day both of my Grandmothers were born. They both passed away a few years ago, but their memory is fresh in my mind thanks to the Christmas gift of photos my parents gave us. I look at these pictures and can't believe the impact these two women have had on my life. Their teachings, idiosyncrasies, habits, interests, beliefs, and views were passed to my parents and then to me. Their genes are in me, the bad with the good.

These women are two of my heroes. They made mistakes, had ideas I didn't agree with, but I strongly believe that they made the most out of the cards life dealt them. In the end isn't that the most we can do? Take what life gives us and do our very best?

Both of my Grandmas were considered beauties (Grandma Alice on the left, Grandma Edna on the right), which I wholeheartedly agree with. I wish I could find more of my features in each one, but I think I am mostly a mix of my Grandpas (which is not a bad thing either...I'm just sayin). They both took care of themselves and dressed well. My Grandma Alice was very proper and modest, and wore quality clothing. She wore a lot of Pendelton and I always think of her when I see that brand. My Grandma Edna was raised on a farm, but she made the decision that as a woman she would not work outdoors in the sun. As far as I know she never did. She took special care of her skin, nails and hair. She didn't go outdoors without a hat and a long sleeve shirt. Grandma Edna had lots of shoes, clothing, make-up, and self care products. It may have been excessive, but she always looked elegant and put together.

Both of my Grandmothers were intelligent, but in very different ways. I believe they both excelled in school but had different interests. Grandma Alice loved history, poetry, literature and writing. She introduced me to so many books I love, Pride and Prejudice, Willa Cather books, Jane Eyre. My grandfather was interested in geology and became a rock hound so they both took classes in that subject together. My grandma was always the best student in the class, although the subject may have not been her first choice. I didn't realize how much education meant to her until after her death. Every time me or one of my siblings (or cousins if the paper had been sent to her) received any kind of award, but especially academic awards she cut it out and saved it. It made me weep thinking of her saving those scraps of paper all those years when I couldn't have cared less. It made me wish I would have tried harder to get high honors just for her rather than be satisfied with honors. She also kept journals which have been so fun to read. My Grandpa was pretty sick with arthritis by the time I have memories of him. In most of my memories he is cranky (I didn't realize he was on high doses of morphine for the pain, or I would have cut him more slack). Through these journals I have a clearer picture of how clever, and silly he could be. I also feel the love she had for us grandkids. That is priceless to me. Grandma Alice could recognize bird calls, always found ladybugs for us, LOVED her garden and usually had homemade pickles in the summertime. She loved humming birds.

I am sure Grandma Edna did well in school too, but she seemed more street smart to me. She had a plaque in her home that said something like "Act like a lady, think like a man, and work like a dog" and I really think that was her personal credo. She worked full time as a secretary, had four children, made most of her own and her children's clothing, kept house, and had meals on the table. You have to be very efficient, motivated, and organized to accomplish that. In her later years she because an amazing quilter and has won many awards. My whole life, I have no memories of her ever giving me advice. I remember her listening to me smiling, laughing at my nonsense, but never giving her opinion. This is one of my favorite memories about her...her saying nothing at all. I always had the feeling that she liked me and would love me no matter how I turned out. As a parent, we are required to give advice and fret over how children turn out, but I as a grandparent I hope I can be what Grandma Edna was. Just a person who loves them while they battle life out for themselves. Grandma was great at card games and Chinese checkers, twiddled her thumbs, took aerobics or swam for as long as I can remember and also loved humming birds.

It's a BOY!

We FINALLY had our ultrasound today and there was no doubt about it. We are having a boy. My poor son, I hope he doesn't have issues from me posting his boy parts on my blog, but this shot is just too funny. This was the first shot the technician got of our little guy. In fact this is what came up when she placed the ultrasound thingy on my belly. She started laughing, and then of course we were all laughing. Miriam laughed along with us, but was neither here nor there with the news. When asked what she would call him she responded "The ferocious beast" so I guess thats it.

Darin and I both thought it might be a boy. Me because this pregnancy was so different; heartburn, digestion problems, gas. I figured these unladylike problems had to be coming from a male. Darin was suspicious because in the beginning, before all food made me sick, I was eating Costco hotdogs, and meatballs like they were going out of style. I craved them all the time, and now I can't even pass the Costco food court without feeling nauseous. I am not a meat-eater by nature so this was very uncharacteristic behavior for me. I am embarrassed to admit how many times Miriam and I ate lunch at Costco.

This picture is for Darin's family. Darin believes he may have the "Gee nose". It sure looks prominent. I don't mind at all, I hope he looks just like his daddy.

We are very excited, but would have been if it had been a girl too. It just seems so much more real now, especially for Darin since he doesn't feel the movements all day. It's fun to know who is coming to our home:)

On another note
Happy Birthday Kristi! I have looked up to Kristi from the moment I understood what a cousin was. I wore Esprit clothes, had a swatch watch, listened to Duran Duran, watched Pretty in Pink, and Some Kind of Wonderful (in the 6th grade) all because I believed she was the coolest person on this planet. One summer, I believe I was 6 or 7, Kristi's family came to visit but she couldn't come. I think it was because of girls camp. I was heartbroken when I found out, but she had her mom give me a letter written just for me, with stickers and a picture in it. I was elated, it was a highlight of my whole summer. Isn't that such a cool thing for a 12 (maybe 13, 14??) year old to do for a little cousin? Thats just how Kristi is, and I continue to believe she is one of the coolest people on this planet. I admire you so much Kristi. Thanks for letting me tag along all those years.

New Year's Wrap up

We spent New Year's at my parents cabin with my parents and sisters (Sarah & Julia). Once again Miriam was the only kid there (except for a day when Julia's sister-in-law and kids came up to sled) so Miriam was spoiled with attention. She loves her Aunts and Grandparents and will go to them anytime (Uncles have to work harder for the love). She has been experiencing major holiday letdown and has been saying things like "my tummy misses my grandma", "I don't want to live here anymore", and "isn't anyone coming to our house today?". Last night she sat in her bed calling out for us until around 11:00 pm due to sleep schedule interruptions over the last 2 weeks. Tonight, as the same scenario was playing out she told Darin "It's going to be a long night...I don't feel like sleeping". Can you believe those words came out of an almost 3 year old?? Luckily, I have sympathy for her because I am feeling the same way. I want my mom and sisters around to entertain me and Miriam. This is so typical of me. I always feel this way after the holidays. Just as everyone else is raring to go with their New Years Resolutions, I am dragging my feet back to the daily grind.

We did have a nice time at the cabin. Sledding, watching movies, eating, playing games, eating, snowmobiling, eating, talking around the fire, reading (I finished Mrs. Mike and LOVED it-Thanks Lara!), and eating some more. We played this new game called the Ungame which is very interesting. It's a good game to create communication in families. It's probably used a lot in the social work field. Miriam isn't in love with sledding, or snowmobiling, but she was willing to go along with it. Julia is quite daring (although not as much as her husband) so she sleds faster than I do. When she was taking Miriam down a hill lined with trees, Miriam said "Why are we doing this? It looks dangerous." Poor Miriam everyone laughed and put her in the sled. I am not very daring either, but I am so glad I was exposed to things like sledding, and snow/water skiing early on. I remember my dad getting exasperated with me as I whimpered down a ski slope, but I was always so proud of myself afterwards. I think it gave me the courage to try things later on I wouldn't have otherwise. Hopefully that is what we are doing for Miriam rather than scarring her for life.


This is a picture for Grandma C. and Grandpa B. This is the dress they gave her for Christmas. She received so many oohs and ahhs over this outfit on New Years Eve. There is a little LDS branch(small church) in the town near my parents cabin. I love going to church there as it is almost always a simple sweet service.


Here is my mom spoiling Miriam. She watched Strawberry Shortcake and Barbie Mermaidia with Miriam while the rest of us watched Napoleon Dynamite downstairs. Thanks again for the memories Mom and Dad!

Christmas Re-Cap

I love having Christmas Eve and Christmas fall on Sunday. I love being dressed up for holidays, it makes for cute pictures. We have so much to thank my in-laws for; wonderful food, truly amazing and thoughtful Christmas gifts, babysitting, and a very comfortable and relaxing place to be, surrounded by lovely decorations. I am afraid it became a very Miriam centered Christmas, since Miriam was the only child there. She doesn't know how lucky she is to have Grandma and Grandpa all to herself for so long. I don't think I ever spent that much time with my grandparents. It was also fun to see Regan, Vanessa, Amanda, Cameron, and Danielle that evening to liven things up a bit.

Here is Miriam with her VERY PATIENT grandparents helping her make cookies for Santa (thanks to aunt Cristin for the wonderful recipe, I don't like sugar cookies as a rule, but these were good). She fell asleep before she could leave them out, but Santa helped himself and left a note.

This was one of my favorite Christmas gifts. My MIL gave Miriam these Wizard of Oz decorations they bought while living in New Hampshire. They are meaningful to Darin, because he remembers the little store they came from, and Miriam was memorized by them. I remember them from one of our first Christmases as a couple, I like them back then before the Oz obsession occurred. Darin and I both agree our all time favorite gifts came from our parents. Darin's parents made something for us, but I can't write about it until I am sure everyone in the family has received them, so I will edit this post later. My parents gave us pictures of both sets of my grandparents as young adults. I can't wait to find perfect frames and display them in our home. Miriam's favorite gift would have to be her ballet shoes from aunt Julia, which have to be pried off her feet when we leave the house.

I also got to talk to my brother in Brazil which made Christmas special. I guess technically, missionaries are only suppose to get one phone call, but since I was his 2nd mother I should get phone privileges too.

This is Miriam in her outfit of choice since Christmas, hugging the Angelina Ballerina stuff she received from Santa. It's actually vintage hand-me-downs from my sister Sarah. Her little girl was given the complete set for Christmas when she was Miriam's age and hardly touched them. So yes, Miriam received used toys for Christmas, but you should she these toys! They are amazing. She now has the complete cottage set (living room, bedroom, kitchen) we plan on giving her baby Polly and the carriage when the new baby comes, and the stage with all it's trappings for her birthday. Everyone was very generous with Miriam, she sleeps with the pillow Danielle made, does her "Bella Dancerella" video everyday (would do it more than once but both Darin and I put our feet down), loved making her own tutu and crowns, she would wear her new dresses if I let her, and is dying to do "projects" with her new art supplies.

It was a great Christmas and we are looking forward to New Years with my family! More to come from that when I do the Post New Year's post.

Merry Christmas!

We're headed home for the holidays (home meaning wherever family is) tomorrow so I wanted to wish everyone a Merry Christmas before we left. I still need to clean the house, do some laundry and pack but I am SO excited. All I want to do is go through Miriam's Christmas gifts again. I hope the holiday stress is wearing off those who are feeling it, and everyone has a wonderful holiday.

Darin took his annual trip to a local Asian market for Filipino food supplies. He bought a ton of stuff including dried mango, and nuts for our stockings, and nata de coco for Miriam (and to make halo halos). We decided we wanted to incorporate our missions into the Christmas season because that was such a spiritual highlight for each of us, and my dad's mission was always a huge part of my Christmases growing up. He served in Denmark, and since our ancestry is Danish, it was natural to use what he had learned to celebrate. I loved it as a child and still love it as an adult. I want to keep some of the Danish traditions, but create something new with my little family.

To incorporate Massachusetts we decorate with the traditional one candle in every window-no other outside lights (some day I will have a wreath with a red bow for each window as well), we hide the Christmas pickle (that is actually a German tradition but I learned about it in Boston), and (thanks to my Father-in-law) we are having amazing Clam Chowder for dinner. We want to make a Flilipino meal before Christmas (because most members of our families wouldn't really enjoy it), and then have Fillipino stocking stuffers for Christmas. Tonight we made Ginataang langka, which is my favorite. It didn't turn out exactly how we would like but we have enough ingredients to do some experimentation until we come up with the perfect recipe.


My Pink Christmas came today! Thank you Tx Girl!! I was so surprised and overjoyed you had my name. Those of you who read my blog regularly will appreciate how cute it is that she made me a bag out of maps!! There is a present inside I am waiting until Christmas to open, but she also sent some plain good mail. Isn't that brilliant? I had something to open today, which gave me the will power to wait till Christmas on the rest. Thank you for the bath teas and the book. It is seriously perfect...I was looking for something to read over the holiday, and I love to have smelly stuff in my bath. Because I have eczema I can't use bubble bath, fizzies, salts or lots of other fun stuff. All natural bath teas I CAN use, I don't know why I hadn't thought of it before?


This last photo is for the "Dixie Chicks". It was so fun getting together girls (Amber we missed you). I wish I had a photo scanned from our college days because I swear we all look the same. I had so much fun chatting, I hope we can keep up this holiday gabfest/snackfest tradition we have going.

7 Years of Marital Bliss

It's our 7th anniversary today! I can't believe it was seven years ago that we were in the Manti Temple getting sealed. It was a wonderful day. These pictures aren't the best, they are just snapshots. Digital photos were pretty new at the time, and we haven't scanned in our pictures. We have a really cute courtship story that spans about 6 years but I will have to post about that some other time.

Seven reasons I am so glad I am married to Darin

7. He takes care of all the bills, taxes, car, computer, and home maintenance. He takes his responsibility to provide for our family seriously. I know I shouldn't be the typical female and let my man take care of me...but I truly love him for it.

6. We both love trying new foods, learning about new cultures, like trying new things in general, have the same basic sense of humor. I feel extremely lucky that I found someone who will go to a musical with me (maybe not his first choice) and will take me to Indian or Thai or Filipino restaurant. There are some differences, but for the most part we like the same TV shows, movies, and a lot of the same music. I feel blessed to have those things in common because we have NOTHING in common education wise. I have a very vague notion of what Darin does for a living. Conversations about his schooling about kill us both. I have worried about this in the past but Darin reassured me that he doesn't really want to talk about work when he gets home. Whew.

5. Darin comes from a great family. He was raised by wonderful parents that I get to claim now too. I have gained such amazing sisters and a brother, the cutest nieces and nephews. Before getting married I felt like our families were SO much alike. Five kids each, same birth order, both middle class families, strong LDS virtues, etc. After getting married, I realized that every family is so different, the way we do things, traditions, communication, roles. I really feel like our families compliment each other. They are very different, but I feel like we are lucky to experience both.

4. He is a thoughtful gift giver and expresses his love often. Darin often says to me "How did I get so lucky?" or says to Miriam "Do you know how much I love your mom". I am the type of person who needs to hear it often so I appreciate that he says things without me prodding him. He gives me THE best gifts, I can't even compete because he doesn't usually spend a ton of money he just comes up with ideas and finds great deals on the internet. I have grand ideas of things I would like to get for him but we don't have the $, and I have the hardest time thinking of anything spectacular that would surprise him. One of these days though....I am working on it.


3. Darin makes me laugh everyday. He is not one to be the center of attention, but quietly comes up with these hilarious zingers. He puts a funny spin on things that makes life more fun. I have been told by family members that Darin was easy to mesh into our family because he just sits in the back ground never getting offended, or ruffled by anything but every so often jumping in with these hilarious anecdotes. He adds very little worry or fuss, just lots of computer help and laughs.

2. Darin loves to learn and experience new things. He is a great example to me of being curious and interested in the world. I would miss out on so much without his zest for knowledge. He pushes me to try things I am interested in and discover new things to become interested in. My world has expanded so much having Darin in it.

1. Darin loves God. Because he loves God, he has the ability to love me when I am at my absolute worst (and he has seen it). I trust him completely because he has such a strong sense of right and wrong. He is also one of the most honest people I have ever known, he doesn't even exaggerate stories. In many cases he is the one to suggest taking the higher road. Especially when it comes to grudges, taking offense, talking about others. He is not pious or anything but his example makes me feel guilty when I shirk my responsibilities.

One last reason I am so glad I married Darin: because of all the above attributes he is a great father. I think our kids are so lucky to have him as a Dad (and lucky to have a mom who makes great decisions;).

Traditions

My head has been swimming with Christmas traditions this year. Things to start now, things for when Miriam is older, things when our family is larger. Thanks to Kristi, who sent out a great email full of traditions, and then a book called Traditions that Cristin gave us I have had a lot to think about/sort through. In all that contemplation, I almost forgot to do my personal Christmas traditions! Every year I read the Gift of the Magi. I didn't mean for this to become a tradition, I just love it so much I always pick it up at Christmas time. I cry every year, I love it so much.

"The magi, as you know, were wise men--wonderfully wise men--who brought gifts to the Babe in the manger. They invented the art of giving Christmas presents. Being wise, their gifts were no doubt wise ones, possibly bearing the privilege of exchange in case of duplication. And here I have lamely related to you the uneventful chronicle of two foolish children in a flat who most unwisely sacrificed for each other the greatest treasures of their house. But in a last word to the wise of these days let it be said that of all who give gifts these two were the wisest. O all who give and receive gifts, such as they are wisest. Everywhere they are wisest. They are the magi."

Don't you love those lines? It makes me tear up as I post! As a side note, my mom one year played the woman who buys Della's hair in a community theater. My mom is quite a good actress and once won the best leading actress award in our stake roadshow. Just a little Elisa's mom trivia for ya!

I also love to watch While You Were Sleeping. I think that is one of the most amusing Christmas movies ever made. It's not all about Christmas but there is a lot of Christmas in it. I can't wait to do the laundry next week so I can fold and iron while watching...it always puts me in a holiday mood. "I got Ice Capades."
My favorite Children's Christmas movie by a long stretch is Emmit Otter's Jug Band Christmas. Miriam and I have been watching this one, almost once a week since Thanksgiving. I never get tired of it. "We don't brush our teeth cuz a toothache will make us feel mean....River bottom Nightmare Band!" Doesn't that make you yurn to see this movie??

Before Miriam, I use to attend a performance of the Messiah every year but that hasn't worked out the past 2 years. I decided that we would listen to the CD every Sunday before Christmas and someday, when the kids are older we will attend performances again. I need a babysitter so much during the holidays I just can't fit in another Miriam-less activity. Especially since I have been doing the trading off babysitting with friends. I don't want to be doing too much babysitting myself so I try and keep my favors to a minimum. I would also like to attend a Nutcracker performance every year. My sister and I performed in the local community college's performance of it as children (Sarah more than I, she actually danced in it...I just carried a pillow on stage and stood in first position). The music and the dances have become synonymous with the Christmas season to me. Two years ago, my parents bought tickets to Ballet West's performance for my sisters, niece, and I and it was so wonderful! It would be fun to dress up and take Miriam when she is older, but I would be happy with a local performance as well (we would still get all dressed up because that is part of the fun!).

I am still thinking about some great service tradition to do. I like drawing names as a family and being a secret server all month long ending with a gift on Christmas, but I would also like to do something for the community. We do angel trees, and give to the food bank, I just want to make sure Miriam (and future children) really get the message of service. Any ideas??

A bit of Christmas Cheer

As much as I felt the burden of decorating this year, I have to say I LOVE having Christmas decorations up. I love having the tree lights on all day long, and seeing our JOY sign with Christmas stockings hanging off of it (right below the beloved globe...which I think is rather cute "Joy to the World"). I haven't come up with a door decoration (love Kristi's cranberry wreath), but I did decorate our brand new kitchen light. Cristin actually noticed these bells hung this way when we were shopping one day. It's just the type of thing I would look at and love but think, its too expensive...I wouldn't know how to do it...my creation would look lame. It was so fun to shop with Cristin because she was so encouraging, always pointing out what she thought would look good in my house. She also had all this confidence in her own crafting abilities, no doubts that it would be too hard (or expensive) to make herself. Thanks Cristin for allowing me to "borrow" your vision. I love how it turned out and am very proud of my own spin on it. The bells were expensive (relatively speaking...for me they were expensive), but I used $5 garland that looks woodsy with pine cones and holly berries on it. I almost bought the $20 garland but just couldn't do it, and now I am so glad (as is Darin). I decided not to wrap ribbon around it because I liked the rustic look it created.

We have enjoyed so many activities this week, but it was especially fun to have a visit from my friend and ol' mission buddy Erin. She is a lurker and I have been trying to get her to start a blog for months now. Erin has such a unique sense of style and is so hilarious I think it's a shame she isn't sharing with the world. Plus, her daughter is so stinkin' cute.

Yesterday, while I was unpacking groceries, Miriam grabbed the lunch meat and wrapped it in a dish towel. She started calling it "baby meat" while she sang songs, fed, and then put it to sleep in a laundry basket. She REALLY wanted to take "baby meat" to the swings with us but I insisted he go to bed in the refrigerator. When I told Darin about it he said "oh man, that is worse than 'baby cake mix'. I had forgotten she carried a bag of cake mix around a year or so ago. I think it is so funny.

Christmas Cheer

Our first Christmas event of the season was the Festival of the Trees. I love going and just wandering around, but it's an event Darin can live without, so Miriam and I went with friends. I am always amazed at the time and money that goes into these trees! I love reading about the trees, where the idea came from and who the tree was made in memory of. This year, however, with pregnancy hormones high, I couldn't handle it. I read one, about a young mother who died of breast cancer, leaving three young children and physically just could not take the sadness that swept through me. I always feel bad when I react that way, I feel like I don't have a right to break down, when others, who have actually experienced loss like that, are so strong. Anyway, I don't know how much the trees for, but one had a trip for a family to Disneyland, and one came with an embroidery machine...so the price has got to be up there. My favorite tree of the night was the skiing one (sorry it's sideways), it was contemporary without being stark or weird. These new fan dangled all white, pink, or neon green trees with monochromatic decorations do nothing for me (please don't be offended by my opinions if you have one of these trees...I could have terrible taste). I loved the gingerbread houses and so did the little girls. They also loved getting their nails painted, dancing with the entertainment, and eating candy. The didn't enjoy Santa and avoided him at all costs.

It's Time to let the world know.....

I told Darin with a cheesecake from Costco (a few months ago). We are either 15 weeks with a huge baby, or 17 weeks along...hopefully my next appointment will determine which. We are all so excited. Due either 10th or 17th of May.
We had wanted to tell everyone on Christmas. Miriam started telling people about "the baby in Mom's tummy" since a week after conception. All of the other Mom's at Joy school were pregnant or just had a baby so of course we were having one too. That made for some awkward moments with visiting teachers, home teachers, various friends and family members. I started using the phrase "we are not announcing anything", which seemed better than outright denying it. I slipped up when Cristin was visiting, and then, around early November Darin said I was looking pregnant. Looking at me now, there is no way we would have been able to make it to Christmas without it being so blatantly obvious. I think this is common, but with Miriam I didn't show until I was well into 6 months...I am totally showing now. I had to scramble to find my maternity clothes. I had been alternating between one pair of pants, and two track suits for a few weeks (My mom forced me to go to Motherhood over Thanksgiving and bought me a sweater to wear...she said no more track suits. Mom, you will be overjoyed to know, I found my maternity clothes last night).



Miriam says the cutest things about her new baby sister, yes she has determined it is a girl. I told her it may be a boy and she said "but mom we already talked about this, we talked about what the baby could be for Halloween!" (Glenda). She said she would sing "lullaby and goodnight" when the baby cried unless the baby was screaming and then she would say "where's the binkie?". One day when discussing names we told her we could name the baby Margaret and call her "Maggie". Miriam said: "Oh yes I love Maggie!! And if it's a boy we could call it the Ferocious Beast!" (Children's book pictured above). Although, right now she says that Jesus is the perfect name for a baby boy, and Briar Rose would be good for a girl.

Oh no...the photo shoot.

It's time for the Christmas card photo shoot....whew here we go. As you can see, Miriam is not great in front of the camera. Even on the off chance that she looks at the camera she usually breaks into character, Evil Queen, Ballet Dancer, Dog OR she give the camera her classic wide eyed stare...anything but natural. Darin is way more patient than I am so we do usually end up getting a nice picture.


Here is the picture we settled on last year. I know Darin's mom and sisters don't like him with long hair but I just love it...maybe I should have been a teenager in the 70's. He currently is sporting the overgrown buzz. A "I am too busy to deal with the details of life" look that I think lots of college students have before finals. He was up WAY too late working on homework last night, I think he came to bed around 4 am and was gone by the time Miriam woke up. Miriam said "did Daddy come home for a nap?" Yep Miriam, that is exactly what Daddy did. We love you Darin...hang in there!