Things I Don't Want to Forget

Winter 2012 Edition

Finding pictures of Steele's lego creations on my camera

How Steele thinks my spicy pico de gallo is the best ever

Cheesy grins on Xochi's first ski day of the season

Had to come back and edit..
how could I have forgotten Xochi's self-cut bangs??

This picture my husband took of the french toast he secretly ran
and got me just because I was craving it.
Even though he thinks gluten is evil.
(So do I except, apparently, during pregnancy..)

Happy kids on the first snow day of the season.




My ready-for-church-33-weeks-pregnant-self.
Even if I do have chipmunk cheeks.
Evidently, the only things that expand on me during pregnancy
are my ankles, my belly and my cheeks.
My thighs have mysteriously shrunken - no joke.


Xochi with her little two and half year old voice,
chubby body and pink princess jammies
watching chickens out the window.

For All My Hamsters

And Hamster wannabees.

This is my town.

Well, sort of... pretty much... we won't get into all the details.

A bunch of my friends posted this on facebook and I think it's pretty much the greatest thing ever.

Probably because I think this town is pretty much the greatest thing ever and this just rocks that point out. Pretty much.

Bellingham State of Mind

They Say It's My Birthday...

So let's not beat around the bush here. I'll just get right to the point.

I have come to dislike birthdays.

Now, don't get me wrong. I love celebrating people. I love enjoying my family and doing fun things. I love getting phone calls and cards with birthday greetings. This year, I'm especially loving all the birthday wishes I'm getting on facebook! And, if you've been around here for any amount of time, you know I love presents. Giving presents... getting presents. Gift giving is totally one of my love languages. I like giving people thoughtful gifts. I love getting presents that I know people have put thought into and knew I would enjoy. They don't have to be big, just a little something. All those parts of birthdays are fine and dandy. But there's this one little part that I detest. One little part that cannot seem to be escaped, no matter how much I try.

It's that part where you... get older.

I never thought I would be this type of person. I got a few grey hairs pretty young and always said I would never dye my hair. I thought grey hair looked pretty. "The Bible calls it wisdom!" When my mom would comment on getting a few wrinkles I would say, "Mom! You're beautiful! You don't look old!"

But then, it started happening to me. More grey hair - too many to keep pulling out. Mysterious lines on my face that take hours to pop back out in the morning. Thickness in my waist that never used to be there before - the red shirt dress that I wear every Christmas annoyingly bunching at the buttons. Weird spots and marks and lines and hairs and pimples in places they weren't before and in places I'm pretty sure I don't want them to be. And all of sudden, I can understand why words like dye and botox and anti-wrinkle-whatever begin to drift through peoples' thinking.

Also - I don't know what I thought 34 would be like. I guess I really thought I would be way more mature than I am now. I didn't think I would still be struggling with the same lame thoughts and attitudes that I do... sometimes on a daily basis. The reality, though, is that most of the time I still feel like I'm 21. A 21 year old brain in a 34 year old body.

And if all that stuff weren't bad enough, I find myself thinking about death and dying and life and sickness way more than I probably should. Being an adult has made me more anxious than I ever thought I would be and more than I know is right. The fact that I'm getting older also means the people around me are getting older. My mom, my grandma, my children. I take heed when people tell me to enjoy my kids because it goes so fast. I intentionally savor my moments with people and yet it still all goes whizzing by. Week after week, day after day... until Steele is skiing down the mountain by himself, until the chubby, little toddler legs Adia had last summer have disappeared, until all of a sudden Xochi is noticing and grumbling when I take something away from her, until I find myself making certain note of how my grandma cuts the Polish cookies at Christmas - the ones we've been baking together for years. So I can remember. And it keeps going. And I don't like it.

So, what do I do?

Well, I live in denial most of the time. It's true. If you understand even an inch of what I've been talking about, you probably also understand that most times, you just have to put it out of your mind - or else you'll be consumed by it.

I also try not to let my fears pollute my enjoyment of my moments. Which once again, brings me back to the denial part. I put it out of my mind.

I do fun things. I try to live spontaneously and wait for God's next adventure. Sometimes this means my laundry turns into Mt. Everest and my house isn't as tidy as it should be. Most of the time it means that actually. Actually, this could also be laziness. See the maturity at 34 part above.

And probably most importantly, I pray. I pray that God would build more and more grace and wisdom in me with each passing year, despite my anxiety. Charm is deceitful and beauty is vain, but a woman who fears the Lord shall be praised.

I pray and confess who God is and that I know what He says is true: that this life is only a vapor and that my true hope is in the reality of heaven. That the things I cling to so dearly in this life will pale in comparison to the joy of eternity.

I pray and thank Him for the joys that He has given and the ones I know He will continue to give, even alongside the hard parts of life. He is merciful to give sweet moments.

Lord, would you impress these things on my mind and heart and remind me of your truth every day, in every joy, in every trial and temptation, in every moment?

So that's it. Those are the thoughts I'm having today. I wanted to get them all out. Chew on them. Organize them. We don't have any set plans yet - I've been rolling around a few ideas but haven't decided on anything. I want a little time with my family, maybe a little time by myself or with a friend. We'll see. Right now, I'm pretty impressed with the box of gluten free cake mix Justin just pulled out. Cake sounds like a good start to a great birthday.

And to help me hold on to some moments: my first attempt at iMovie that I thought I'd share with you.

I cannot get this video to work for some reason. Here's the link

Jobes Family Ski Day

Stepping Down

As some of you know, since I mentioned it on facebook, I didn't fall off the wagon but rather, I gracefully stepped down.

Last weekend we went down to my sister-in-law's house to celebrate Adia's 3rd birthday and my niece Taylor's 1st birthday. I grabbed as much food as I could before I left but was discussing with Justin on the way down how difficult it was going to be to stay on the diet while away. He and I talked it over and I came up with a plan which included me discontinuing the strict part of the diet but continuing to not eat the things I know my body doesn't do well with. Mainly, gluten, a lot of dairy and sugar. I have continued gluten-free very easily. I don't eat a lot of dairy to begin with - mainly a bit of cheese here and there and a little bit of creamer in my coffee (which I've also limited). The sugar is sometimes more challenging - but for now I'm steering clear of most desserts. Last night I made myself a gf brownie mix I've had in the cupboard for ages and you know what I found? Without white sugar and white flower I don't crave them. In the past, those brownies on the counter would have been calling my name every time I walked by but last night I had just a tiny square and then went to bed. This morning, a little bit with my coffee and I don't want more.

So my conclusion and recommendation for the elimination diet? Do it. You won't be sorry. Even if it's just for a couple of weeks. I feel leaner and healthier. It was a great kick-off to eating better and I lost about 7 lbs. Not too shabby. I'm sure I'll try it again in the nearer rather than farther future.

As I mentioned, our little Adia Moon celebrated her 3rd birthday this past week. We had a wonderful day celebrating her and thanking God for bringing her into our family. She had very specific requests for her big day which included sweeties (Swedish Pancakes), pink cupcakes (which baked up great once I realized I needed to turn the oven back on), Polar Express music and McDonald's. Justin and I also purchased her a stuffed Abby. I generally don't like to buy my kids character dolls - but little Abby is pretty darn cute and Adia was thrilled. And if you know any thing about our Adia, she's not unlike Abby Cadabby with her big vocabulary.

Trying and Day 5

Steele (age 4.5) tonight as he was hugging his sister goodnight: I'll try not to be so grumpy to you tomorrow, Adia.

Hey, at least he's trying! I tell ya, that boy melts my heart - especially when he tells me I'm such a cutie-pie.



Not much new on the elimination diet front.

Breakfast: oatmeal, blueberries, cinnamon and agave nectar again.

An apple somewhere in here.

Lunch: Ethiopian cabbage again

Herbal tea and another apple somewhere in here.

Dinner: sautéed asparagus and an avocado.

Awfully boring and sparse, I know. I was really busy today though and we were at my mom's around dinner time so I went and got everyone a Costco pizza and churros. I just needed to eat something fast before I inhaled that dairy-covered, gluten-loaded pepperoni pie. I had really odd feelings after dinner - I told my mom that even though I hadn't touched a bit of pizza or churro I felt like I had just overeaten. I'm hoping to eat something a bit more interesting tomorrow. I also promised my friend and fellow high school alum, Denise, that I'd post my dinner plans for the next two weeks.

Thoughts on Holidays

I had a pleasant day yesterday.

Justin had to work so he had helped me with preparations on Wednesday. I was happy to have it all done with so that yesterday I could relax with the kids and not be rushing around like a crazy woman at the last minute. Ok ok - I am pretty much always rushing around like a crazy woman at the last minute these days - no matter what I have done. Because, well, it takes a looooong time to get three kids and one mama all dressed and ready to go in their holiday finery and a butt-load of food out the door on time. That's just the way it is - especially when two of them are sleeping until 20 minutes before you're supposed to leave.

So we sat around and watched the Thanksgiving Day parade. We listened to Christmas music, I put the kids down for naps, cleaned the living room and brought some Christmas decorations out. It was peaceful.

As I was talking to Justin on the phone last night about the day I shared some things with him regarding my thoughts on Thanksgiving - on holidays in general. (please excuse me, this might be a bit rambly) You see, I kind of have an issue with the hyper-spiritualization of holidays. (is that a word?) For lack of a better term. I suppose you could also call it the inflated expectedness of holidays. Or the super-focusedness of holidays. Whatever you call it - I don't care for it. Now, don't get me wrong - I looooove Christmas. I love the season, the decorations, the activities, the family, the food, the merriness, the traditions, the PRESENTS! I am all about the presents. I love it. I think a problem arises though, when we set too high of expectations on specific days.

As I mentioned, Justin had to work yesterday. More than several times, people asked me if he had to work and when I told them 'yes' they would give me this sad face and say something along the lines of "Oh! I'm sorry. That's a bummer." But I didn't really think it was a bummer. I mean, how could I possibly think it's a bummer considering this:

• He has a job
• He has a job which allows him to be home with us 21 days out of the month
• He has a job which pays well enough for us to live comfortably
  
• He has a job which allows us to eat comfortably
• I have a husband who can go to a job
• I have a husband with a job he loves
• Said husband was going to be eating a lovely Thanksgiving dinner with his buddies

You get my point, the list could go on and on. So what is one day? What is one day when I get so many days with him? What is one day when there are so many other blessings? How could I have any ounce of disappointment? And to make it even better, what is one day when we're going to have a perfectly wonderful post-Thanksgiving Thanksgiving with our dear neighbor friends on Sunday? It's no big deal. It only becomes a big deal when we misalign our expectations.

I remember one Thanksgiving when I decided I wanted to read a special 'spiritual' Thanksgiving story to my non-Christian family. I was so excited to make Thankgiving 'meaningful' that year. So I started in and went on... and on.... and on.... People were yawning, getting up from the table and all the while I was deflating inside. I was so disappointed. But, I was disappointed because my expectations were too high. It sounds kind of extreme, but if I had had no expectations - I would have been thankful for the one person who stuck around and at least feigned interest in what I was reading.

And it's the same with Christmas. I hear the common phrases thrown around:

Jesus is the reason for the season
Celebrate the true meaning of Christmas

People make decisions to not give gifts because well, after all, Christmas really isn't about the gifts. Or they won't make mention of Santa, even as a Christmas character, because they think it somehow detracts from Jesus. I get all those things - and I don't fault anyone for making these decisions for their own families. But I think sometimes we try to make Christmas into something that, simply, just can't meet our expectations. After all, the Bible never makes mention of celebrating Christmas, or Thanksgiving for that matter, the way we do today. It is something we thought up ourselves - something, mostly cultural, that we thought up and then sort of tacked God onto. We build these holidays up in our minds and our hearts - we plan to perfection the way we think they should go - and then, we are disappointed when our kids are more excited about the presents than they are about the nativity reading, we are disappointed when nobody is appreciative of our prayers at dinner, we are disappointed when our extended family does not want to join us for church, we are disappointed when our kids misbehave on Christmas day and ruin the mood....

My point in all of this is that, sure, I love holidays as much as the next person and I will celebrate them with all the gusto I can muster. I will bake to my heart's content, I will shop for a Christmas tree, I will drive through neighborhoods adorned with Christmas lights and giant inflatable Santas and snowmen, I will knit into the wee hours of the morning and buy thoughtful gifts for all my loved ones, I will buy special Christmas outfits for my kids, I will attend Christmas mass on Christmas eve with my grandma because that makes her happy, I will drink a little nog with a dash of rum in it, I might even read the nativity story to my kids and they will probably be more excited about the presents.

BUT!

I will celebrate God's gracious gift of Jesus - for my redemption, reconciliation and salvation - the whole year through until I am face to face with Him in glory. I will give thanks every day for the many and generous blessings God has given me. I will look out my window at the morning sunrise and declare to my children the glory of God - as their sovereign creator. I will talk with my children about God's commandments when I sit at home and when I walk along the road, when I lie down and when I get up. By God's spirit I will show them what it means to love God with all my soul and with all my strength.

So, if Christmas or Thanksgiving don't go off as picturesque as one would hope - if Justin is working, or my uncle lures me into a political debate while passing the stuffing... if Adia has big bloody picked-at scabs on her face in our Christmas pictures or if my turnip gratin doesn't finish baking until everyone is done with the dinner... if some of the activities we do are all about Jesus and some don't have any blatant correlation to Jesus at all.... it's all right. I will enjoy the season for what it is - imperfections and all. And I will not be disappointed because, ultimately, I put my expectations in the One who does not disappoint. Not because of how I celebrate - but because of who He is and because of what He has done.


Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen. Ephesians 3:20-21

If you didn't quite get what I was talking about,
here's an example of not setting our expectations too high.

They pulled it off, with just a few hitches,
and everyone got a good little chuckle as the watched my
children experience a microphone for the first time.

Judge Alex... Steppin'

*Warning: this post contains brief foul language. *

Yes. I'm serious. My apologies if you're offended - I plead hilarity as my defense.

So I'm sitting downstairs folding clothes, watching a little Judge Alex. It came on after People's Court, ok? And there's this guy on there suing his ex-girlfriend for a bunch of stuff that he left at her house after they broke up. It'd been a year already and he still hadn't picked it up...

"So what's there?" asks Judge Alex.

"Well, like my George Foreman grill, my gold boots..."

"Gold boots?!? Whatdayou use those for?"

"Steppin'"

"Well let me see some steppin"

"Like right here, for real?"

"Well, I don't mean right here for fake"

So the 'stepping ensues.

Which leads me to a google search for "Steppin"

And then "Step dancing video"

Which leads me to this.



Which inevitably leads me to this..... you knew I couldn't resist.

No Mexicans were harmed in the making of this video.

Further investigation led me to this.

Try it. You might like it.


Ps. If you're curious, click here for a brief example of real "steppin."

Update: In case you're concerned, I wanted to let you know that the song itself doesn't contain any bad language. I looked up the lyrics.

Also please, if you try this at home... do Hip Hop hands and not the ridiculous hula hands that I did. You'll look much cooler.

August Already?

When Justin and I got married his mom told me that when Justin was young and still living in her home, he would talk non-stop to her about skiing from the moment the first ski magazine arrived in August until opening day in November. Things haven't changed a whole lot since then - sure, it's a different house, a different woman standing in the kitchen, it's not quite so 'non-stop'... but it is August.... and it has already begun. We do already know the price of and the exact day (hour) Justin can purchase his season pass. He told me the other day. He'll tell you too if you ask him.

The other major difference? Well, now he has cohorts. Now he's gotten his children in on the fanatics of it all. It's blatant brainwashing if you ask me. It's a conspiracy to force me to sit in the lodge all day long to knit, read good books, browse home decorating magazines, drink warm beverages and take pictures of chubby-cheeked cuties bundled into miniature ski gear. I guess I'll go along with it... if I have to.

Here's a glimpse of last season. Adia's already been asking about 'going fast' this year.

No I Didn't. Yes You Did.

The other day I came out into the kitchen to find this little scene.


Rest assured, we work hard to address this type of behavior. But this is real life. These kinds of situations happen ten-fold throughout my day. I just had to grab my camera to capture a memory to laugh about when the kids get older. For some reason the, "Yes you did. No I didn't" conversation was cracking me up. Adia's too big for her britches.

Too bad my camera battery kept dying but you'll get the gist. Just imagine the same conversation continuing on and on (and on) while I turn my camera off and on, off and on (and off and then on).

Who Needs P90X?

Not yet...

But maybe soon. And if not soon - then tomorrow morning for sure.

So we went to the doctor this morning and even after they told her yesterday morning that they would induce her today - they didn't. When they called over to the hospital the doctor said that it was too late of a start to do it this morning. They made an appointment for her at 7:30 tomorrow and sent her over to the hospital for a stress test since Xochi hasn't been moving very much. They said if she was stressed they would induce her then and there. But she's healthy and moving fine. Which is awesome, of course.

We were all a little deflated at that point. I think Amanda, her mom and I all felt like crying but none of us did. And none of us told eachother we wanted to until later. Well... Amanda said she did in the exam room to try and get them to induce her but it didn't work.

Poor Amanda. She is totally done. I feel bad for her. And to top it all off, tomorrow is also her birthday.

We decided to take matters into our own hands a little bit. We went for lunch at this place called Diego's. It was seriously the best food I may have ever had in my life. Then we went and bought a bottle of castor oil which she promptly downed. And then we set out walking.... (and shopping)

After that I came back to the hotel, took a nap and am now waiting to hear if anything more is happening.
Amanda thinks it will be tonight.
I hope so!

The Many Faces of Adia Moon

And a little bit of Steele

Guantanamera

I have no idea where Steele learned the bum slap.
Although, now that I think about it, it could have been here.


Sneakin' Finney

Carrie Nada Nada

(In actuality, I think it says "Will the judges please reveal their scores."


It' Raining, It's Pouring

Comedy Night

Count yourselves lucky.
Tickets to see these guys live are through the roof.

New Year's Motivation

Here's a little motivation for all your New Year's resolutions....

Steele and I reviewing our Jazzercise moves for the week.
Note Steele is eating and Jazzercisin' at the same time...
I wonder if that burns more calories?

Christmas Eve Eve Holiday House Tour

Keep in mind I'm under-slept, under-make-upped and over-dried from the cold weather.

And I'm a crazy lady...

Wow. Such an attractive still shot of me.

This crazy girl takes after her mama...


Ok - enough with the funny stuff. I gotta get back to work.

He's Always Been Faithful

Because my mom missed it and because I promised Rachel.

But mostly because it's true - He has always been faithful to me.

A happy and blessed Thanksgiving to you all!
May you know and give thanks to the true and eternal Giver of all things.

Quiche Anyone?

Egg Check. Egg Check. Test 1. 2.

Double Dog Dare

Egg Check. Egg Check. Check Egg. Test. Test.

Chicken Bluff.

After this one I found another one!
TWO in ONE day!
I was screaming and jumping around like I was Charlie with the golden ticket.

You Might Be a Freaky Kid If...

..your parents make you do stuff like this.

1:15 AM

Justin is going to be so thrilled to find out that Steele just peed on his side of the bed.

It's just about the word I would use to describe myself as I'm awake cleaning it up.

Just about.



Where did that boy's diaper go????


Update (2:15ish or later?): I am just laughing at this whole situation right now! Steele is standing next to the bed as I'm flipping the mattress and he says, "Is it all clean now mama?" I say, "Just about." And he says (doing a little marchy dance with his feet), "Oh. That's what I like to see!" At about the same time I hear Adia's baby doll giggling repeatedly from her room. Creepy. This is after Steele has
1. asked me to make some lemonade for him at 1:30 in the morning and
2. asked me if I could read some books to him before he goes to bed

Man this mama gig is a good one. Too funny!

Look What I Did!

I love to get projects finished - although sometimes I feel like it rarely happens in this house. But I finished one the other day and I'm really happy with the way it turned out - except for the fact that I wish I had used glossy paint for it - but I didn't have any. I might paint over it with a gloss. I've been meaning to do something like this since we moved into this house three years ago. Next up on the list? Baskets that fit the holes in the bench. I'm thinking of going with galvanized from Ikea.

Oops... I just realized I didn't say what in the world I did. I painted these little circles....



Hey, what's that on the bench? See it? Right there next to the basket?





Hey!! That's Jodi's prize! Three of my very favorite things!

I've been using Mrs. Meyer's stuff for a while now but they just came out with this new scent - Basil! And it is so yummy. I do have to admit, though, that while it's such a great scent - the hand soap is a little strong. But it smells so good. I was using the lavender (which is mixed with tangerine) and loved it and now have the dish and hand soap in basil. Only the latest and greatest will do for MY blog readers though - so I got Jodi the basil too. They also have a new baby line that I'm going to try. I should mention here (for any of the rest of you that might be interested) that I've found it at Fred Meyer for comparable prices to the web site.

The other little tub is Tangerine Sugar Scrub from Trader Joe's. It is so reasonably priced and I love it! I keep it in the shower and use it to shave with. Scrub it on, rinse and then shave with the good smelling oil it leaves on your skin. Helps to get a clean shave and prevent ingrown hairs. Amy also told me the other day that she ex foliates the skin on her arms. I had never even thought of that! My arms get kind of bumpy from the sun in the summer - so I've been using this and my arms are looking BEE-YOU-TIFUL. If I do say so myself.

So there you have it - I know you've had to wait a long time to find out about this prize. I hope you love it all as much as I do Jodi!


In some other blips of family news:

• Adia is showing interest in potty training so I got her some big girl underwear and she's gone a couple times. I am SO excited about the prospect of this!
• We have made some major headway in the "getting along with each other" area. I don't mean Justin and I..... Steele and Adia. I'm beginning to see some fruit from my training and also just the result of both of them getting older and maturing a bit. Yesterday Steele happily helped Adia take off her shoes and then ran into the living room yelling, "Let's go play cars and trucks Dee Dee!" This is BIG for us people! This is opposed to the, "No, no - you get away from my cars and trucks Dee Dee" that we've been experiencing for months.
  

Here's what I found this morning when I walked into their bedroom:

Makes a mama's heart sing!

And later in the morning....

• Steele is going to be a ring bearer in a wedding this weekend. He's been going around the house, claws bared, saying, "I'm the ring bear. GRRRRRRR." Today I'm sewing a bow tie for him to wear with this cutie little outfit.

• I'm also incredibly relieved to tell you that I worked out pain free last night. I still have a chiropractor appointment next week but I was so happy to be able to sweat! Phew!
  

Have a great weekend everyone!