Summer is upon us, even though the weather indicates that it is early Spring. We've had the dance recital, school projects are being sent home, kids are getting antsy, I'M getting antsy.
Summer for me always meant Utah - so it's good that now I live here. Summer in my neighborhood means night after night after night of standing in the street talking to neighbors while bikes swarm around us. Endless otter pops and kids in swimsuits all day long. Creative ways to BBQ. Open windows and sunshine.
Summer means farmers' markets and splash parks and picnics. Fireworks and ice cream in the driveway. Staying up late watching movies and even a few trips to the drive-in.
This summer I have an almost-seven-year-old-who-reminds-me-daily-when-his-birthday-is and a four year old who is fearless. Kids who know to look both ways before crossing the street (even though sometimes they don't). They are even starting to sleep in past 5:00am.
I'm looking forward to Summer.
Wednesday, May 26, 2010
Tuesday, May 25, 2010
May 25, 2010 - Backposts
Not that many people read my blog, but I just backdated a ton of posts - travel, weddings, births, holidays, etc. So if you are a die hard reader just because you love me, and you are bored out of your mind and need to see pictures, go look at older posts.
Monday, May 24, 2010
May 24, 2010 - Clara's Dance Recital
Tonight my favorite four year old in the whole world had her Spring dance recital. We arrived at the school and went to the music room to get her ready. She said very excitedly, "Mom, is THIS my dance recital?!" I told her it was and she said, "Look at all my friends!" I waited with her for a little while and then went to the auditorium to join Dave and Josh.
Clara waiting for her dance to start.
Clara and her friend, Eden.
Clara and her friend, Talya
Clara on stage!
Dancing to "Just Can't Wait to be King"
Clara and her teacher, Ms. Lisa.
Clara and me
Clara waiting for her dance to start.
Clara and her friend, Eden.
Clara and her friend, Talya
Clara on stage!
Dancing to "Just Can't Wait to be King"
Clara and her teacher, Ms. Lisa.
Clara and meMonday, May 17, 2010
May 17, 2010 - Capturing a Moment
When we moved here six years ago, we became friends with our neighbors across the street. Since then, we have watched each others' kids grow and progress and get even cuter. Last week their girls came over to play for the afternoon and we played tag in the front yard. I love these girls so much - they are my friends!
Gabi and Clara
Josh and Kate
Josh and Kate
These two are the best of friends and so funny together. I love listening to them talk to each other. Kate was Josh's first kiss when they were about a year old and barely walking. She dipped him back and planted a kiss on him.
Gabi, Josh, Kate, and Clara
Ring Around the Rosy
Silly, crazy, happy kids
Gabi and Clara
Josh and Kate
Josh and Kate
These two are the best of friends and so funny together. I love listening to them talk to each other. Kate was Josh's first kiss when they were about a year old and barely walking. She dipped him back and planted a kiss on him.
Gabi, Josh, Kate, and Clara
Ring Around the Rosy
Silly, crazy, happy kidsSunday, May 16, 2010
May 16, 2009 - Still Catching Up
I'm still stuck in January in my head. Interestingly the weather seems to be joining me. The past few months have been a blur. I don't remember April other than it involved a lot of driving. It seems impossible that we are halfway through May.
My cousins from Hawaii have been staying with us since March, because Jeanne was pregnant with her 5th baby, she has c-sections, and the medical care on the Big Island is a bit of a nightmare. She had decided to come home to have the baby and stay with her parents, but, due to some health issues that wasn't possible. So we made the decision that out of all of the other houses, we were most equipped to have her family stay with us. It has been a lot of fun, and also a lot of chaos as we have navigated taking care of so many kids. The baby was born two weeks early because Jeanne was measuring six weeks ahead, which made us adjust our schedule a bit. Shortly after the baby was born, he was diagnosed with pulmonary hypertension, an infection in his lungs, a heart murmur, and a few other problems. Jeanne's husband was able to fly out last minute for the weekend when the birth date was switched, but, he had to fly back to Hawaii. The baby had to stay in the NICU for a week, and so Dave and I had Jeanne's boys during that time. Her oldest son is homeschooled so we worked to keep him on track, keep our kids on their schedule, and also drive back and forth to the hospital in Orem.
There have been amazing blessings that have come from this. Jeanne and I have grown even closer than we were (which is hard to believe), and I have developed a love for her children through spending this daily time for them that is far more motherly than I usually develop towards other children.
It has also been difficult and emotional and I have been sick on and off through the experience so my reaction to things has been heightened. A lot of other things have been pushed aside that are important to me, and I have dropped the ball in other areas because I have been trying to do the right thing and be there for Jeanne and her family. I also have had some serious edema issues in my leg and have been going to a lymph therapist to help. It's just been a roller coaster of emotions. I'm hoping that the second half of 2010 isn't quite so crazy.
My cousins from Hawaii have been staying with us since March, because Jeanne was pregnant with her 5th baby, she has c-sections, and the medical care on the Big Island is a bit of a nightmare. She had decided to come home to have the baby and stay with her parents, but, due to some health issues that wasn't possible. So we made the decision that out of all of the other houses, we were most equipped to have her family stay with us. It has been a lot of fun, and also a lot of chaos as we have navigated taking care of so many kids. The baby was born two weeks early because Jeanne was measuring six weeks ahead, which made us adjust our schedule a bit. Shortly after the baby was born, he was diagnosed with pulmonary hypertension, an infection in his lungs, a heart murmur, and a few other problems. Jeanne's husband was able to fly out last minute for the weekend when the birth date was switched, but, he had to fly back to Hawaii. The baby had to stay in the NICU for a week, and so Dave and I had Jeanne's boys during that time. Her oldest son is homeschooled so we worked to keep him on track, keep our kids on their schedule, and also drive back and forth to the hospital in Orem.
There have been amazing blessings that have come from this. Jeanne and I have grown even closer than we were (which is hard to believe), and I have developed a love for her children through spending this daily time for them that is far more motherly than I usually develop towards other children.
It has also been difficult and emotional and I have been sick on and off through the experience so my reaction to things has been heightened. A lot of other things have been pushed aside that are important to me, and I have dropped the ball in other areas because I have been trying to do the right thing and be there for Jeanne and her family. I also have had some serious edema issues in my leg and have been going to a lymph therapist to help. It's just been a roller coaster of emotions. I'm hoping that the second half of 2010 isn't quite so crazy.
Friday, May 14, 2010
May 14, 2010 - Brian Somers Gets Married
After YEARS of waiting, our friend Brian Somers got married! We met his wife at the reception and she is lovely and gracious and we are excited to get to know her better.
Weddings are fun because you get to see old friends. Rob Curle, Cheryl Smith, Brian Somers, and I, spent a great deal of time together back in the late 90s as we navigated our way through our 20s in Northern Virginia. Cheryl and I were roommates and Rob and Brian were on the Institute Council with me. We spent hours and hours and hours at the Big House watching movies, discussing politics, and generally analyzing the world. Now we are older and realize we know nothing, but are much better at faking it.
Rob, Heidi, Cheryl, and Brian
Brian and Jennifer Somers
Weddings are fun because you get to see old friends. Rob Curle, Cheryl Smith, Brian Somers, and I, spent a great deal of time together back in the late 90s as we navigated our way through our 20s in Northern Virginia. Cheryl and I were roommates and Rob and Brian were on the Institute Council with me. We spent hours and hours and hours at the Big House watching movies, discussing politics, and generally analyzing the world. Now we are older and realize we know nothing, but are much better at faking it.
Rob, Heidi, Cheryl, and Brian
Brian and Jennifer SomersMonday, May 3, 2010
Women's Conference: 2010
I didn't go. I wish that I had gone, because I think it would have been cool, but Kacy didn't invite me to go until after it was over, and then she invited me for next year. So, now I have to wait an entire year to go. Do you think she invited me now, knowing how popular and overscheduled I am, so that I can get it on my calendar? Or, do you think that it was a guilt thing because on her blog post about Women's Conference in the comments section I wrote, "You never invite me to anything." I'm just sayin'.
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