Christmas Miracle

So I experienced a honest to goodness Christmas miracle today. Okay, maybe not a miracle, but it was awesome nonetheless. I was rushing to the post office to get something in the mail before they closed. I drove all the way (like 5 miles but STILL) to the post office, both kids crying the whole way (it was one of those days). Once I got there I realized that I didn't have my wallet. erg! I remembered grabbing my wallet off the table, but I figured I must have left it sitting in the garage while I was getting the kids loaded up in the car or something. So I drove back through rush hour traffic. By this point I'm worried that I'm not going to make it to the post office before it closes (and today was the last day for standard shipping to be sent in order for it to get to its destination before Christmas). I finally pulled up to my house and in front was a big, old, creepy brown van. I was on the phone with my friend Camille who lives on the next street over and I asked her if she saw the scary van in front of my house. She said it hadn't been there a few moments before. So I pulled up along side the van and a man was standing behind the van staring at my house. I was a little creeped out until he turned around and I saw my wallet in his hand. Turns out I must have put the wallet on the top of my car while loading the kids and forgot to take it off. This sweet man found it out on a busy road and pulled over, picked it up, looked at the address on my driver's license and brought it to my house to return it to me. It was evident that it had been run over by a few cars, but all my cash and credit cards were in place. I was so surprised by the situation that I just sat in my car with the window rolled down, thanking him profusely. He just gave me a slight nod and got back in his van. In retrospect I am kicking myself for not getting out of my car and asking him his name. I should have offered him a reward, or at least shook his hand. Instead I just sat there dumbfounded and said, "Oh my gosh thank you so much." So, dear sweet man, if you are out there somewhere, thank you. Thank you for saving me from a monumental panic attack. Thank you for saving me from some serious problems. Thank you for being honest and for going out of your way for a stranger. I hope I get the chance to pay it forward someday.

Mason-isms

• After we put up the Christmas tree Mason said, "Well that is the biggest tree I ever saw." (He obviously hasn't seen very many Christmas trees.)
• We went up to the hospital to have dinner with Nic and while we were taking in the view from the Huntsman Mason (who was ready to go) said, "Ok, come on now little friends."
• Me: "Hey bud." Mason: "Hi honey."
• Last Saturday Nic was trying to get in the shower, however, Mason was very much oppose to it and kept telling Nic that it was "way dangerous".
• The other night we were reading scriptures before bedtime. The following ensued: Me: "So Mary was Jesus' mom." Mason: " No. Merry CHRISTMAS." Me: "Yeah we say Merry Christmas, but Mary was the name of..." Mason: "MERRY christmas." Me: "So Mary" Mason: "CHRISTMAS!" Me: "Yes Mase but Mary." Mason: "MERRY CHRISTMAS!" Me: "Merry Christmas bud."

The many faces of Sage Elizabeth

Six months...

18 lbs 7 oz - 90%tile

26 1/4 in. - 75 %tile

Sits up on her own.

Goes from sitting to her belly in a relatively graceful motion.

Drinks from sippy cup (but still nursing).

Loves cereal, learning to love everything else.

Reaches out for EVERYTHING (if its in her near vicinity she wants it).

Still hasn't rolled over.

Smiles at everyone.

Loves her brother and her dog.

Gives vigorous kisses.

Loves to dance.

Still doesn't sleep through the night, but wakes up happy every morning!

Love, love, LOVE this baby girl of mine.

Give Thanks

This was our second Thanksgiving here in the West. (If you don't count the 20+Thanksgivings from our youth). We were able to spend much of it with my dad and we loved every minute of it.

The weekend started with a pretty scary drive up to Idaho Falls. After we got there (alive) we had a lovely dinner at my dad and Penni's.

Sage's first Thanksgiving.

Can't wait for some dinner.

After dinner we went to Rexburg to visit Nic's family and then we headed up to Island Park. We spend 2 days at the cabin where we snowmachined, watched movies, and sat by the fire. It was heaven. Saturday night we headed back to Idaho Falls and spent the night at Nic's parent's. They watched the (sleeping) kids while we went to Harry Potter. Then finally, after church on Sunday, we took another scary ride home to find 7 inches of new snow and a shoveled driveway. So much to be grateful for.

Happiness...

Last Tuesday we had our first snow storm. Nic was actually able to come early and for the first time in a while we had a few hours in the evening to just spend together. The night was perfect. The kind of perfect that you want to freeze so you can live in that moment forever. The snow falling outside the big window in our family room. Oldies Christmas swing music playing and everyone dancing. Mason bouncing around the room while alternating elbows up in the air. Occasionally he would look up and close his eyes, lost in his dance. Sage giggling while bouncing on either Nic or my hip, her legs and arms flailing in excitement. Nell, who is always excited, prancing around. And Nic, unabashedly dancing and tickling the kids. At that moment it didn't matter that I hadn't packed for our trip to Idaho, or that the laundry wasn't folded, or that the falling snow was sure to make for a long drive north. Other than each other, nothing else mattered. I stood back and thought to myself that this is what happiness is. This is EXACTLY what happiness is.

More Mason-isms

Mason has been such a ham lately. By the end of the day he has said so many funny little things that I forget most of them. Here are a few that I remember from today:

(After finding Nic's basketball while I was cleaning out the coat closet). "Mommy, this isn't just any ball. This is a REAL ball."

and

Mase: "See ya Mommy. I'm going to work."
Me: "Oh really. Where do you work?"
Mase: "With Daddy."
Me: "Oh. Ok. Well have a nice day at work. I'll miss you."
(He goes upstairs and ubruptly turns around and comes back down.)
Mase: "My goodness Mommy, I didn't give you a kiss."

Thats right bud. Don't you EVER forget to kiss your Mama goodbye.

Mason-isms

Last Sunday I put shoes on Mason that were too small. (I realized this after taking them off, as the tops of his feet were red for a few hours afterward.) On our way home from church he kept pulling at his shoes and when I asked him why he was taking his shoes off he said, "Mommy, my feet are SPICY!" Funny kid.

Yum

Every bite I give this darling has a little help.

She loves to grab my hand and the spoon and shove it into her mouth.

The result is a very messy little girl.

A very cute, messy little girl.

Victoria Gail

My mother in law is an artist. A good one. Here is a sampling of some of her art that we are privileged to have in our home. (I hoped to post pictures of all her art that we have, but alas I do not have time. So I will post them at a later date.)

This is part of the mural she did in our play room.

She also painted Mason a truck to go in his room.

She is such a good artist that a few months ago Extreme Makeover Home Edition asked her to do the artwork in a house they were doing in Pocatello, Idaho. She (along with her brother Jason and friend Rebecca) did the murals in the home and she even had a little on screen time with the recording artist who is performing. (We don't know whether her on screen debut will make the editing cut or not, but still exciting). Why am I telling you this? Because the episode I speak of airs TONIGHT! So go watch. (I also want to put a plug in for my step brother's company, Rocky Mountain Supply, which donated all the pavers, rock, brick, etc. for the house.)

If you want to learn more about my talented mother in law (and see more of her work-from stone sculptures to fine art) visit her website. Artistsforhire.net.

A Dinosaur and a Chubby Skeleton

We partied.

We carved.

We tricked.

And it was a treat.

Mason-isms

I have to document these things. Otherwise I know I will forget.

• While visiting my sister's house a few weeks ago Mason looked at her dog Turk (a french bulldog) and said, "Oh look. A tiny pig." Really funny. Especially if you know Turk.
• The other day I was changing Sage after she puked all over me. I had my shirt pulled up (because puke soaked clothing on your skin is not enjoyable). Mason came up and starting slapping my belly. While slapping he ever so sweetly said, "Look Mommy. That one wiggles." Thanks a lot. Punk.
• Then, the same day as the wiggling tummy incident, Mason decided to make up for his punk-ness by crawling up on bed where Sage was fussing and delicately patting her tummy while saying, "Its okay Sage. Mason's here. Mason is right here." Aw. I guess I won't sell him to the gypsies afterall.

My Son Ma-son

I love this kid. He is a hoot. Here are few Mason-isms. Past, present, and future.

• He use to call airplanes "tatas", but now he calls them by their proper name. He even knows the difference between and airplane and a jet (thanks to the Blue Angels).
  



• Whenever something breaks he emphatically declares that "daddy will fix it". In his eyes daddy can fix everything. Luckily at this point in his little life thats pretty much true.
  



• He loves his family. Several times a day he will name off everyone in our family in reference to whatever he is doing. For example, "Mason go to sleep. Mommy go to sleep. Daddy go to sleep. Baby Sage go to sleep. Nell Nell go to sleep." He also is obsessed with all his grandparents and has been known to tell me to "go away" when he is playing with them. He wants them all to himself and I can't blame him. He has some awesome grandparents.
  



• He can still scream like a terradactyl.
  



• Knock on wood, but I think he got most of his "terrible twos" out of the way in two rough months. During his "adjustment" to having Sage around we had some doozies, but he has been doing so well lately and I think he is starting to come into his own. The other day he started throwing a fit. He was crying and stomping, etc. etc. I just ignored him for about a minute when I heard him take a deep breath and say, "Ok Mommy. Mason's happy now." What a good kid.
  



• He is very in tune with people's emotions. Whenever we read Green Eggs and Ham he always points out whether the characters are happy, mad or sad. He always wants people to be happy. If I'm ever upset he askes me if I'm "happy again" several times until he is satisfied that I am.
  



• He went through a phase a few months ago where everytime he would wake up (from a nap or in the morning) he would empty his entire room out into the hallway. We're talking his comforter, any toys in his room, books. Everything. Everytime. This is just one of his many quirks.



• He calls his uncle Matt "Muncle Matt". He loves his muncle Matt.
  



• He is still obsessed with airplanes, lellocopties (helicopters), trains, tractors, cars, trucks, skateboards, etc. etc. If it takes you here to there he loves it. Whenever he hears a helicopter or an an airplane outside he runs out and greets it with a very loud terradactyl scream.



• He frequently tells me he loves things. The other day I was singing Twinkle Twinkle to Sage and Mason (on the other side of the room) sighed and said, "Oh, I love that song."



• He loves to jump off of things. The higher the better. He has little fear (except of bugs after getting stung by a bee this year) and I love that about him. Well, I love it until I fear for his life. Then not so fun.
  



• He runs everywhere he goes. Even if he is walking he has a little jog in place thing that he does. Its cute.
  



• He loves pizza, cheese, chili, fruit snacks, and most fruit. He will try most foods at least once so I think he will turn out to be a pretty good eater once we get out of the "I'm a toddler I don't want to eat when you want me to eat" phase.
  



• He loves his buddy Jackson. A lot.
  



• He loves to be outside.
  



• He loves to try new things. He will pretty much try anything once.
  



• We have a picture of Neil Diamond on our fridge (from our friends' annual Neil Diamond Christmas party) and the other day Mason brought it to me and said, "Look. Jesus." Not quite Mason. Not quite.

Mason is energentic, quirky and sweet. I love this little boy of mine. Next up, potty training. So far the toilet is viewed as something that will force him to slow down. Therefore toilet=evil. We're working on it.

I love...

this.

Even if it is usually followed by this...

8 Questions

I haven't done a tag in a long time, but since my cousin Krystal tagged me (and I think my cousin Krystal is freaking awesome) I have decided to participate.

1. If your husband was out of the picture what would you have named your children? I would have named them Mason and Sage most likely. Scarlett has always been a favorite of mine, but I have 2 cousins (they both have great taste in children naming!) who have girls named that so I thought I should branch out a bit. Still love it though.
2. When do you usually go to bed? hmm...When we lived in PA we stayed up until midnight or so, but since moving here we usually go to bed between 10:30 and 11:30. I think we are getting old.
3. If you could visit anywhere in the world where would it be? Alaska. Or Jerusalem. Or Greece. Or Ireland. I just really love to travel and want to do a lot of it someday. sigh. someday.
4. If you could change something about yourself physically what would it be? I just had a lengthy conversation with someone about this the other day. I want so badly to teach my children to be confident in how they are. I want them to make healthy choices, be active, etc., but realize that we are all born with imperfections and that includes parts of our bodies. And thats OK. We aren't meant to be cookie cutter images of what society thinks is beautiful. Everyone has their own beautiful features and who is to say what is beautiful or not anyway? With that said, we all have insecurities. So I'd get myself a nice set of legs.
5. If you could have one talent that you don't already have, what would it be? I'd like to be crafty. I'd like to be able to make my own wall art or curtains or pillows. I know what I like, I just can't seem to make it happen.
6. If you had your choice where would you live? Austria.
7. What material thing is on the top of your wish list? hm...probably a few wardrobe items.
8. What is the dumbest thing you've ever done? I shut my head in the car door. Yes. I was wearing my glasses and as a result got a good cut behind my ear that if it weren't for the location and my ear holding it together I would have had to get quite a few stitches. Genius.

I tag: Ali, Camille W., Camille J. (that means you'll have to update your blog!), Sarah M., Whitney, Sharon and Sue.

The Questions you must answer:
1. Your first kiss. Dish it.
2. What is your number one life goal?
3. What is the thing you are most proud of?
4. What is your favorite breakfast?
5. Do you want to have children and/or how many children do you want?
6. If I gave you $100 and told you that you had to spend it right now what would you buy?
7. What would you say occupies most of your thoughts during the day?
8. What is your favoite thing about your husband?

The Western United States

A few weeks ago the kids and I embarked on our tour of the western U.S. My dear friends Deb and Dave came from PA to do their own tour (3 weeks!) of the west and we accompanied them up to Idaho Falls then onto Yellowstone (with my Dad's cabin in there somewhere too).

Mesa Falls

A herd of buffalo came between us and Old Faithful. Awesome.

A little geothermal activity.

Deb has always been dubbed my "Pennsylvania Mom" and I love her dearly. She and Dave are the sweetest people you will meet. Can't wait to see you guys again!

From my dad's cabin the kids and I drove back home to Utah, picked up Nic, and drove to Vegas. We stayed in the Hilton ($50 on hotwire!) and got an upgrade on our room. Nice.

The next day we got up and drove on to San Diego, where we met our awesome friends Matt and Heather and their two kids Paxton and Lincoln. We rented a condo so we could all stay together and turns out it was right above the San Diego airport. Mason was in heaven (and we heard about it in the form of a shrill voice screaming, "BLAST OFF!!" everytime a plane took off.)


Lincoln and Sage.



The first full day we were there we went to Sea World. I hadn't been there since I was little and it was awesome. Mason really loved it.


The crew (sans Matt who was taking the picture).


We got splashed by Shamu, an event Mason is still talking about.


Mason's first "ride". He couldn't get enough.


The next day we decided to take it easy. So we went to the park...


...and to the beach. It was pretty cold, hence the good lookin' jacket/swimming suit combo.


Despite the cold Mason literally dove right in.



The third day we took on the San Diego Zoo. Another awesome day.



Mason loved the tram. He wasn't so interested in looking down on the animals, but rather he wanted to see the airplanes flying right next to us. What can I say. The kid loves ALL modes of transportation.

Mase and Pax. They had so much fun together. As did we. Thanks Matt and Heather for providing us with the best company we could ask for. We miss you guys.

From San Diego we drove to Phoenix where we were able to take in a last minute Pixies concert. Awesome. Awesome. Awesome.

Shay and Eric came along.

But the real reason we went to Arizona was to meet this little cherub. Could he be any sweeter?

My Dad gave Brighton a beautiful blessing. It was nice to meet some of Eric's family and spend some time with our own family.

Not pictured was Sagie's first time swimming (I need to steal the pics from Penni).

So after 13 days, 7 states, minimal melt downs and innumerable diaper changes we finally drove home. Well, Nic and Mason drove home. Sage and I chickened out of the 11+ hour drive and flew home. The perfect end to a perfect trip. (Nic's ending, although much longer, was pretty good too.)