Double Take


Rosie has a doll that is similar in shape and size to my own new baby doll. She named her Baby Doll Eva. Not to be confused with Baby Eva. I begged Rosie to name her something different but I did not get my way. Rosie has been carrying Baby Doll Eva around and leaving her any place I set down Baby Eva. I keep having double take moments. Baby Doll Eva is sometimes placed precariously on the couch or in the stroller. Baby Doll Eva has even slept with Baby Eva in the crib. Just when I'm least expecting it Baby Doll Eva shows up in strange places. The kitchen counter, the bathroom toilet seat, the tub, the closet and nearly every time, although you'd think I'd be used to it by now, I do a double take, gasping sometimes, thinking how did the REAL Baby Eva get there?

Multitasking



This week I had many moments when I just had to laugh at myself and marvel at all that I was able to accomplish. For example, on Friday I was driving on the freeway on my way home from Provo, three kids in the car, with the van teeming with clothes for a neighbor's garage sale when the phone rang. I pulled over to the side of the road to take a message, and while I was taking the message my kids decided they could no longer wait for their customary bean and cheese burrito (hold the onions and sauce) from Del Taco. So there I am, unwrapping their burritos, putting their straws in their water cups, taking down numbers while I talk on the telephone, and passing food across a pile of clothes to the back seat while my van idles on the shoulder of the freeway and yet -- and yet -- I still managed to write down the right number. That, to me, sums of what a mother's superpower is: the ability to multitask.

Which brings me to this photo. I know a picture says a thousand words, but the only word I'm seeing here is "multitask." This is the throne -- the seat of power, if you will -- for a stay-at-home mom. I'm trying to talk Ben into getting me one for my birthday. Only I want one with cupholders. Now you might be thinking this picture is gross, but let's face it, with young kids you've got to make any spare moment count right? A chair like this could be handy. I wonder what other colors it might come in . . .

Missing Germany





We are missing Germany beyond what I can say with words. We keep trying to replicate what we did while in Europe last summer. Unfortunately, it isn't really working. Finding free time is hard, but at least we know what the secret to an amazing summer is.

Are you wondering how to have a European summer without the expense of going overseas?
Advice: do less. Forget about a summer filled with soccer games or baseball practices. Instead plan a family picnic and play soccer or baseball at the park.

On Sunday night after a busy day of caring for our sick daughter, which lead to an Instacare visit, we finally sat down as a family and had a lazy dinner. (A couple of sick kids will make you slow down.) We sat outside for about two hours just remembering Germany moments. We also managed to play Battleship, UNO, assemble a few puzzles, and build a few LEGO ships. All of which were daily events in Germany.

It sounds cheesy to say that my heart is in Germany, or that I'm longing for Germany, but I really am missing it and the life we had there. Simple and wonderful.

My goal this summer is to slow down.

The Battle Begins



Wheewww, I finally made it through my first jog. I pulled out my old exercise clothes wishing that I look more "hip" and not so "hippy." Unfortunately, I could barely run; I have no muscle. I felt like I was jogging in quicksand -- only the sandbags were around my midsection and thighs. Seriously, I'm in deep trouble.

Before I went on my inaugural run, Ben put a small collection of workout songs on the iPod for me. The playlist included my favorites 80s music and showtunes. But then he also added one song for inspiration -- "Stacy's Mom." You know, it's the one song about the kid who has a crush on his girlfriend's mom, who's supposed to be middle-aged but very good looking. A real cougar. It's not that I'm interested in impressing any of Wiley's friends, at least not at this point, it's just that it made me want to look and feel good again.

So here I go. The battle begins. But just in case you see me lying on the side of road late at night, panting, or perhaps in the early (or late) phases of cardiac arrest, just remember that when the paramedics arrive, tell them I'm type "O" and allergic to Sulfa. Trust me, they'll know what that means.

But it'll all be worth it when I look like Marge ... minus the sallow complexion. Seriously, does she have the worse fake tan or what! (But that's a topic for another post.)

P.S. Can anyone recommend a good jogging stroller?

In the Strength of the Lord


by Emily McPhie

For Mother's Day my mother-in-law got this for me. I LOVE this painting. I feel like it tells my story. My story of living and enduring and enjoying the life of wife of mother.

The meaning behind the skirt of my life:

The artist says the garden represents nurturing. I see it as a reminder to tend to our families.

The tree represents family history. I see it as a reminder to carry on family traditions. Pass on to your children the skills, traits, history that you learned from your ancestors.

The bees represent hardwork. I see it just as that. We are busy little bees trying to gather the nector to bring home. The nector turns into honey. The reward for hard work.

The landscape of the hill represents endurance, and working to become better at all we do. Homemaking is defiantly an uphill battle for me. Never done, always more to do. Especially laundry.

The three butterflies represent children. They are always changing and metamorphosing. I feel like I could do a better job of loving each stage that my kids are in. Perhaps I should also do a better job of documenting where they are so we can look back later and enjoy it all over again.

The clothesline represents chores. Notice how long the artist line is. Keeping up with life is hard and never ending. There are always groceries to buy, e-mail to check, homework to finish, a car to wash.

The sheep represent missionary work. "Arise and gird up your loins, take up your cross, follow me, and feed my sheep" D&C 112:14. I also interpret this to represent my calling. I'm currently in Young Women's. I love it and I really do feel like I'm tending sweet lambs at times. Looking out for them, making sure they learn what they need to learn.

The little house represents strength. The dove is the spirit and the lilies represent Christ. To me the home is the place to gain the security and strength to go about the world accomplishing what needs to be done. And like the artist I know I cannot do it alone. I need to feel the continual love and strength that Christ gives me. I'd also like to mention that I love that the home is a simple representation of what a home is. It is not a complicated place. It is simple. I feel that the simpler that I live my life the happier I will be. I don't need to collect so much in my life -- it feels wonderful to purge the unnecessary, tangible or intangible.

AAHhh, this painting is so refreshing. Rather than making me tired to see my life represented in oil, it helps me see my life as meaningful and beautiful. I am so blessed to be a wife and mother.

I hope you like this painting as much as I do.

Time

Seriously, where does the time go? What have I been doing, oh that's right, getting all my cavities filled. I did it in 4 different sessions. Can you blame me? There were tears during every session too. The dentist felt bad. And frankly, he should have.

Besides having my 13 cavities filled I've also managed to. . .

have 5 chiropractic visits (I'm a believer)
1 hair cut and color appointment (I think I spotted a gray hair)
massive breakdown tears the works (will I survive my 30s?)
1 visit to LEGOLAND (interesting -- it caters to short people)
1 visit to Disneyland/California Adventure (I love the thrill rides!)
1 visit to the beach (heavenly)
went snow skiing with my favorite sister (skiing and the beach in the same month. . . WOW)
3 x-rays on my thumb/wrist (freak accident while skiing)
got to visit with two old friends that I haven't seen in a long time (hi Mer and Wade)
4 doctors appointments for Rosie and Eva (RSV scare)
multiple visits to the pharmacy
tried to go running (can't run-my insides are still loose--no stomach muscle)
discovered a fantastic triple chocolate chocolate chip cookie recipe, which Ben perfected
(prime reason for no stomach muscle)
bought coffee for the first time ever (a person in my ward caught me buying it oops -- slightly embarrassed -- it was for the triple chocolate chocolate chip cookie recipe).
two visits to the cabin (so relaxing)
dejunked my entire storage area (a 4 day project -- it is amazing what DI will accept)
planted 72 Zinnia plants (only 32 survived ;(
no green thumb, just hurt thumb)
saw Wicked for the second time with my hubby (awesome date night)
discovered an amazing pizza dough recipe ("double zero" flour is the secret according to an
Italian cooking class I took at Thankgiving Point)
made my kids fill their own easter eggs with candy (lazy momma)
survived easter candy intake with only minimal damage (yeah right, 3 pounds, no thanks to Cadbury Mini-Eggs)
had 4 "Bee Prepared" cooking with food storage classes (ask me about these classes, they rock)
And tomorrow Women's Conference starts (it will be such a spiritual boost)
Saturday my family comes to town (Go Team Dyer!)

I see a trend in my activities, they all seem connected. Cavities are to cookies what hurt thumbs are to skiing. Oh dear, I should perhaps lay off all the cooking and baking . . . but instead I"ll think positively. If there were to be a food shortage I would live longer than the rest of you skinny folks. I'm living a fuller life . . . literally.

You're Joking Right?


While I was pregnant I kept complaining of tooth aches. I didn't worry too much about it though because I know tooth sensitivities are very normal when pregnant. I decided to take the plunge and make an appointment anyway. 13 cavities. Are you kidding? I'm neurotic when it comes to brushing teeth. I even make my 3 year old floss teeth that don't even touch. I still wear my retainers from when I had my braces taken off my freshmen year of high school. I don't mean occasionally either. I can count on one hand the number of times I haven't worn my retainers to bed. You get it, I take care of my teeth, but apparently it isn't enough, especially when you have pregnancy working against you. I'm going to become OCD about it now, I'm sure. Also, I just guaranteed that that dental office will not go under for another 2 months thanks to my own personal stimulus package.

Our Day in Numb3rs

Baby Numb3rs

10-14 diaper changes
4-5 naps
8-9 nursing sessions
15 burps
1 serious diaper blowout with subsequent bath and outfit change
1 x 4 oz. bottle a day
4 "coos"
2 smiles
3 rides in the car
4 kisses from Wiley (at least)
2 naps prematurely ended due to a visit from Rosa (at least)
uncountable hours in mommy's arms

Mommy Numb3rs

1 bathroom tidy
1 fight with Rosa about hair
1 dream of a shower
2 outfit changes
1 trip to the dumpster
3 cartoons for Rosa to turn on
1 carpool session
many hours in the rocking chair (and the same hours of "numb"-bum)
many hours of Food Network/the news/weather/movies
1 Martha Stewart Living Magazine to scour
3 meals to prepare or make Ben prepare
2 after-school snacks
1 garden to dream about
6 teeth-brushing sessions
3 flossing sessions
3 daily meds administered
1 attempt at crafting
4 fights to breakup from the rocking chair
1 sweep of the kitchen
5 table wipes
1 session of Wii with Wiley
10 mins of vacuuming
1 unload and load of the dishwasher
1 load of laundry to wash/dry/fold
1 email/blog session
6 phone calls to make
1 good intention of working-out
playtime with Rosa
1 doctors appointment to attend/make/change
3 beds to make and unmake
2 bedtime stories
2 hugs
3 kisses
1 pillow talk session with Ben
2 favorite pillows
6-7 hours of interrupted sleep

do it all again the next day, give or take a few of these items,
adding in a visit with friends and family, or a visit to the store.

"Champagne Wishes and Caviar Dreams"
Living Large with the "100 Club" tickets



This is not a press photo. This is a photo I took from my seat when Ben and I escaped for our first date night since Eva's birth. We went to a Jazz game with Ben's Dad and sister, Megan. But we didn't have just any old seats -- we had the coveted "100 Club" seats (courtesy of Ben's dad). Yeah, you read right. We were in row A; our feet were actually touching the basketball floor. I could have reached out and "pantsed" Andre Kirilenko during an inbound pass (though I would have preferred Kyle Korver, if you know what I mean). Megan and I sat next to each other, and we couldn't stop giggling about how great the seats were. Megan even caught a stray basketball, which she was reluctant to give back (she thought it was like catching a foul ball in baseball and she got to take it home).


We brought Baby Eva with us and because security wouldn't allow a baby to sit on the front row, Grandpa Tim and Ben had to switch with the people that were supposed to sit behind us. Grandpa held Eva the whole game. (Notice in the picture above that Ben has his hand over his face.) I think he was embarrassed by Megan and I's behavior during the game.


Eva was the Belle of the Ball that night. Everyone from the waitresses to the Jazz dancers had to make a comment about her. She was the youngest fan there, I'm sure.

As temporary members of the "100 Club," we were able to go early to the game for the gourmet meal in a luxury suite overlooking the court. The meal had an Asian theme, and they had chefs there who made the food right in front of you. My favorite parts were the cheese plates and desserts. There was an incredible Thai ginger mousse along with fifteen other tasty desserts, all of which I tasted . . .

Oh yeah, sitting on the front row we got to make friends with the Jazz's mascot -- "Bear." After he took this picture with me he grabbed my head and gave me a very hairy smooch right on the lips. Silly enough, I was actually blushing over the kiss. Had Ben not been there I might have felt like I was cheating on him. (Then again, if Bear gets "100 Club" seats every game . . . )


All in all, we had a great first night out with Eva. Oh yeah -- the Jazz won.

Robin Leech, eat your heart out.

Birthday Boy


Dear Wiley,

Happy 7th Birthday! You are so amazing. You are becoming such a responsible/crafty boy. You have learned how to negotiate extended bedtimes, get out of homework, and be served extra dessert at dinner. You've learned the dramatic art of faking an illness to try and get out of school. You've also started using words like coincidence, irresponsible, and idiot. (None of which we are encouraging you to use).

You've also learned how to look out for Rosie; helping her to feel better if she gets hurt. You usually try physical comedy to help her smile again. You've been working on your phone etiquette, blowing your own nose (with gusto) and perfecting your bed making skills. You also love to take long 30 min. showers, (depriving the rest of us of hot water). You are growing up so fast.

Luckily, you are not so grown up that you won't ask for a goodnight hug and a kiss. You're not so grown up that you won't sit in my lap and cry. You're not so grown up that you still need help with your shoe laces. You are not so grown up that you won't ask to be read bedtime stories.

Wiley, you are amazing.

I love you. Happy Birthday.