Baby, it's Cold Outside

It's (almost) February, and as such I am allowing myself to start a little complaining about the cold. It was -14 this morning with a -30 windchill. That's a solid 74 degrees colder than it was 48 hours ago. Is that even a temperature? (sigh).

Okay, I'm done now.

(picture via srilu viene photography)

Much Loved, Much Missed

"Let us all try to stand a little taller, rise a little higher, be a little better. Make the extra effort. You will be happier."

President Gordon B. Hinckley
“The Quest for Excellence,” Ensign, Sept. 1999

I will surely miss the simple pleas to do a little better. I have felt inspired as I've listened to him speak and encouraged to do little more with my life. I will miss his humor and wit and beautiful teachings. He served as President of my church for the last 12+ years and passed away yesterday at the age of 97. I appreciated his encouragement of education and learning and quest for excellence. His teachings of Jesus Christ and God. Truly he loved God -- and I felt that.

Just a few of my favorite quotes of his:

“This is my prayer for all of us—'Lord, increase our faith.' Increase our faith to bridge the chasms of uncertainty and doubt. . . . Grant us faith to look beyond the problems of the moment to the miracles of the future. . . . Give us faith to do what is right and let the consequence follow.”

“The Lord has placed a mandate upon us that we should study and learn, that we should acquire knowledge by study and by faith, that we should acquire knowledge of a secular nature, as well as the things of God (see D&C 88:118). Don’t do anything which would disqualify you from the opportunity of gaining an education. It is a very important part of your religion. Education is the key which unlocks the door of opportunity. If you gain that key, the world will bless you and compensate you according to what it considers to be your worth.”

“You parents who are fathers and mothers of children, treasure your children. Look to them with love. Lead them … with love. … They will follow after you if you do that. And I make you a promise that if you do so, the time will come when you will feel so grateful that you have done so, that you will get on your knees and thank the Lord for the precious children who have come to you and grown up under your direction”

For more information, go here:http://newsroom.lds.org/ldsnewsroom/eng/

A Few More Birthday Pics

We had Evie's little birthday party tonight with Jeremy and Mindy and their kids and some friends from church. Mostly I just wanted some pictures of her birthday tiara (so cute!) and the requisite birthday-cake-eating shots. She really wasn't that into the cake (what!?! can this be my daughter !?!) and mostly spent her time tossing it non-chalantly onto the floor. She loved the clothes and birthday toys -- thanks, family!

Happy Birthday, Peanut

I can't believe Evie is one year old -- her actual birthday was yesterday. I was thinking about what I was doing last year at this time. Likely lying in the bed in the hospital, cuddling my sweet little newborn, touching her tiny feet and hands, wandering around the floor with Ken trying to find bows to stick on her little head. Or introducing her to her big brother, who despite wanting nothing to do with her at the time, still comments every time we drive by the hospital that "That's where Evelyn was born." And he still brings up little bits of memories -- riding the elevator with Grandpa, watching movies on "the big TV." And how he's finally grown into the role of big brother, "helping out" by watching her and making her laugh. I remember the first few moments I met her, still lying on the operating bed as they were finishing up the C section, seeing her perfect little eyes already so wide open and chunky little cheeks.

She has been such a blessing to our little family. She has the sweetest personality of any baby I've ever met. Never happier than when she's snuggled up in someone's arms and I can't tell you how much I needed those baby snuggles after long days at work when I felt especially guilty that I hadn't been home more to see her. Even when she's crabby, somehow after a few minutes of baby chatter and maybe a song or two, all is forgiven and it's nothing but sugar and smiles. One of my favorite moments of the day is when I find her in bed, just woken up from a nap and extra happy, sitting up talking at her toys, squealing with delight when I walk in the room. Happy Birthday, peanut.

Church Service -- or 3 Ring Circus?

Yes, they may look innocent. But under those cheesy smiles and chubby cheeks they are a traveling 3 ring circus.

The cast: (from left to right)

Ryan: the One-Man-Show

My nephew is one of the funniest almost 2-year-olds I've ever seen. He's even funnier in church where you're trying desperately hard to act your age and not bust out laughing. He spent most of the hour alternating between jumping up and down on Caroline's legs/feet singing "I'm jumping on Mommy! I'm standing on Mommy!," informing the one year old behind us who was checking out his stuffed cow "This is my Cowie -- you can't eat him," and intermittently yelling "SKUNK!!!" at the top of his lungs.

Evelyn: the Acrobat and Singer

She spent the entire time either "singing" at the top of her little lungs (dada da da DA!!! da da DA!!!) and trying to dive off of Caroline's lap (almost succeeding once). Life evidently looks better upside down . . . or when you're being held . . . or when you're crawling on the floor (apparantly what ever you're NOT doing currently is way, way better).

Luke: the Crew and Backstage Supporter

While he is generally the Ringleader, he was actually very quiet. He just kept egging the others on (stealing snacks and toys, etc). Only one minor break down when we informed him that he could not, infact, eat the peanut butter sandwich at 930 that we'd saved for lunch.

Thanks to my saint of a sister Caroline (who also happens to be 6 months pregnant) for braving 3 children and coming to help me while Ken's out of town.

Tagged!

Thanks to Kristin for the tag. Hmmm. 7 interesting things about me. Here goes:

1. I was once a beauty pagent princess. Granted, I was 4 years old. And the contest I won was the for Mark Twain Mall in St. Louis, MO where we lived at the time (pretty close to Miss America). According to my mom, the main reason I won was because I wasn't shy at all and proudly told the judge my boyfriend was Michael, a little boy down the road. But I remember the tiara, the chocolate record I won as a prize and getting to wear a beautiful white dress for a parade in the summer.

2. I talk in my sleep. I used to do it more when I was younger, but it did get me into trouble once. I was in junior high when who you had a crush on was a REALLY BIG DEAL. (remember?). I had finally convinced all of my friends that it didn't have a crush on the boy from church (yes, your husband Amber!). We were at a sleepover and evidently I started talking about how cute he was in my sleep. My cover was totally blown.

3. I hate spit. I see a lot of gross things in my job. I can handle poop. I can handle vomit. I don't mind blood, guts, needles and lots of other things. But I hate spit -- especially the thick, nasty kind (and it's even worse if it's coming out of a tracheostomy site). I can't even think about it without gagging.

4. I hate raisins. I don't know if it's a texture thing or a taste thing. Or if it's the fact that I can't think of a single thing with raisins in it that wouldn't be better with chocolate in it (oatmeal cookies, trail mix, muffins). Bleeeeckkk.

5. I would love to see Mt. Everest someday. I'm not crazy enough to actually think I'd like to try and climb it or anything (1/5 people that attempt it die -- those aren't the greatest odds!). I loved the book "Into Thin Air" by Jon Krakaur. I'd love to go to Tibet and trek to base camp. And check out the local Sherpas.

6. I used to be on the Pom Pon squad in high school. No, not cheerleading (more dancing, less yelling). But I also played hockey at the same time so I think that helps cancel part of the stigma. Oh, if only we had digital photography back then. I've got some great photos.

7. I've been to Africa. I spent 2 weeks in Burkina Faso on a medical trip. I loved it -- and would love to go back.

Okay, I feel like I should pass this along. But don't do it if you don't feel like it. I tag Stacey, Emily D., Emily Clark (I know you read this -- ha ha, I got ya!).

Shopping alert: Sales!

Despite the fact that "I wasn't spending any more money" this month, it does happen to be the best time to snatch up those winter sales. One New Year's resolution already broken.

Anyway, hurry and check out:

J Crew - final winter sale, plus if you use the coupon "freeship" you get (guess what?) -- free shipping. Check out the tall khakis - a personal favorite! (http://www.jcrew.com/)

Also -- Old Navy 75% clearance sale. I basically stocked up on all the kids' next years clothes (including 4 pairs of shoes for Evie) for really cheap.

Friday I'm in Love

I've now been the (mostly) proud owner of a minivan for 4 days. With only a few jibes from my friends at work (yes, I think you can go cruising in a minivan). I have to say -- I really am sold. I'm converted. I really, really like driving it. My kids are happy (and quiet, mostly). Which means I'm happy. Ken got the short end of the stick as he is now being the great hubby that he is and driving a hand-me-down car for the 2nd time in a row. It's his turn next (and I owe him a truck after I graduate residency -- that was our deal).

I'm feeling a little nostalgic about saying goodbye to the Pathfinder. It's the first car I ever really bought, during my 3rd year at BYU. I realized I've owned that car for 9 years. It's made it through tons of road trips (camping in southern Utah, snowboarding trips, multiple climbing trips in the Red River Gorge in Kentucky, Arizona, the Boundary waters, the Appalachian trail). I've driven that car faster than any car I've ever been in (I used to have sort of a lead foot -- I've been way better recently, I swear -- I think it hit well over 110 during a long, nighttime road trip to Arizona I'm embarrassed to say). It's been through several college boyfriends and hour-long car trips to visit Ken while we were engaged. It got some med school friends and I to a final following a huge Michigan snowstorm that about 1/3 of our class missed 'cause they couldn't get out of their driveways. It made Ken the coolest young men's leader ever with his 11-12 year old boys (nice radio, lack of good shocks made it feel like it had hydraulics). We've driven around 2 kids in that car.

I feel like I'm leaving a little chapter of my life behind me. And starting one consisting of initiation into mommy-hood and settled-down-ness. Which, I've decided, is just about perfect. Plus, I think minivans can still go off roading -- and can certainly pull a canoe to the Boundarywaters. The kids will just whine less in it. And if I blast some 90s rap, I can still feel like I'm 20.

Baby on the Move

She may be little slower to pick up on things than her older brother, but once she gets it -- she really gets it. She has crawling down pat and she is getting speedy. She's already figured out the things she shouldn't be going for (ie the buttons on Daddy's TV receiver, Luke's toys, the stairs) and generally makes a beeline straight for 'em. It's pretty cute to see her wobble-crawling across the floor, adding her jabberish (and expressive!) commentary as moves around. She is cutting 4 teeth right now (poor girl) and has certainly picked up eating - she loves table food. Anything but baby food, please, and meat is even better. We may yet make that 20 lbs at the one year mark (what you need to flip their carseat facing forward).

Channeling My Inner Soccer Mom

We found out this week that our 11 year-old beater Pathfinder that I've had since college will likely cost more to fix than it's worth. I was hoping it would make it until the end of residency, but frankly I'm glad (and surprised!) it made it this long. Especially considering all that car has been through (we do not believe that off-roading cars should not go off-road). So we decided to bite the bullet and get . . . drumroll please . . . a minivan. I tried to fight it. I swore I would never have one. I tried to convince myself that an SUV would be just as roomy and easy to tote kids around (and look way cooler). Then I realized that my 4-year-old still can't climb into the Pathfinder and that he is HEAVY and I don't want to be lifting him in and out of cars for the next 4 years. And we found a really great deal on a very pretty (can a minivan be pretty?) 2005 Honda Odyssey. It's pretty souped up - dark blue, leather seats, sun roof, DVD player, seat warmers (oooohhh), nav system (now Ken has a new toy). I am quite excited about it. But I still feel like I'm letting go of the dream.

Cars Party: Part Deux

I was doing a little happy dance and plotting my evenings resting on the couch following a pretty busy (but great) holiday season. Then I realized it. I have not one but TWO kid birthdays. In the next 3 weeks (what brilliant person planned that one?). Which means parties. I love parties, I love having people over, I love entertaining. I have dreams of super-cute coordinated kiddie parties with creative invitations and activities that will make the guests drool. However, I don't really love planning them when I don't have the time or energy. Thank goodness for "Cars." My now 4-year-old is still obessing about the movie and anything closely related to Lightning McQueen. In fact, he had a Cars party last year. But that was all he wanted again this year. So after 2 Papa Murphy's pizzas, some left-over Cars decorations, one Cars cake from Sam's Club (quite good, actually), 8 3-year-olds and one Cars movie showing we had ourselves a great little Cars-themed movie party. Luke was pleased with it anyway -- and I guess that's that the important thing. Maybe I'll come up with something more creative next year. Now I can get back to my couch. At least for the next two weeks, until it's time for Ev's birthday.

Luke and his "girlfriend" Anna (of 2 years! That's longer than any relationship I had before I met Ken!)

2007 in Review

2007 Rehash:

Ken:

- finally (for the first time in 3 years as he's been following Kelly around through school and residencies) found a job he really, really loves.

- became a world-traveling-business man (Germany, Italy, next onto China and France)

- Lost all of his hair (and only partially to shaving it!) and added some facial hair. I think he looks rather dashing.

- Became the daddy of a little girl (who totally has him wrapped around her finger, already)

.

- Taught Luke all about girls (best pick up line? "hey babe, you're smoking hot!"). And that telling Mommy's she's beautiful will get you anything you want.

- Continued to be a huge support for Kelly -- taking care of kids, not complaining about long work hours or not having a wife around, taking kids to church alone, lots of take-out pizza for dinner, etc, etc, etc.

- ran a 10k -- the longest he's ever done!

Kelly:

- started her last year of residency (yay!)

- added more work on (what?) by serving as chief resident this year

- accepted a job for next year at the hospital she's currently working at (part-time-- wahoo!)

- became the Mommy of the most adorable little girl ever. Started a rather large collection of baby shoes and accessories and reveled in a closet full of precious little girl dresses.

- taught Luke all about the "difference between boys and girls" as he learned all about his little sister. Which he promptly shared with his 3-year-old cousin (oh how happy were his parents!)

- Ran a 1/2 marathon -- a mere 5 months after having a baby!

- learned how to be a resident, mommy and wife of a world-traveling husband (thanks to all my friends who helped!)

- continued learning more about the gospel and Jesus Christ by teaching Relief Society (women's class in church) once a month

- started teaching Luke to play hockey

Luke:

- Gave a talk his very first Sunday in primary (being the very youngest kid there). He gave it his best effort -- and even got a few words out.

- Continued loving "Cars" and can now quote basically the entire movie

- learned how to write the alphabet, his name, and read several words

- became the ultimate snow-loving Minnesota boy

- loved saying prayers and learning about Jesus in Primary

- became our official "car protector." Informed Mommy that "daddy is a better driver" and "be careful! you can't give Daddy's car any more owies!"

- continued to give great hugs and love to his Mommy and Daddy

- became a big brother -- and loved being the one who could make her laugh the hardest

Evie:

- joined our family!

- made history as the calmest, smiliest, happiest, most agreeable baby ever

- frustrated Mommy by not growing enough hair for all of her cute hair accessories

- made up for it by learning to smile when she saw the flashing light of the camera -- thus making the way for thousands of adorable pictures

- worried Mommy and Daddy by being a peanut (she's so little) and a little pokey from a development perspective

- but finally learned how to crawl (yesterday!) and say "Uh, oh!" for her first word (3 days ago!)

Here's to a great 2007 -- and hopefully and even better 2008!

What I'm Craving

It's cold. My toes are cold. Really, really cold. Okay, I know you're all thinking "It's Minnesota, you have like 6 more months of winter left." True (and I'm still telling myself I'm enjoying it. I have to do that until at least February for sanity's sake). So what would be a better anti-winter pick-me-up than these? I used to be anti-Ugg. I'm not sure why, really, because now I'm plotting how I can afford these (and justify spending the money on them). My toes are worth it, right?