Yellow Belt

AP started karate in June and today he earned his Yellow belt. He was so nervous that at first he refused to go test. When I asked him why he said he was afraid of dying before his time like "all those US presidents whose jobs were too stressful"(don't ask me where he comes up with this stuff). After some discussion, we got him there and he did an awesome job, even performing an advanced kempo. Way to go bud!!

. . .like it's 1999

10 years is a long time, but it doesn't seem so long ago that AP entered our world. I remember the anticipation, the excitement, and even apprehension. It was a rough delivery. I decided not to have an epidural, which wouldn't have been too bad except he ended up posterior and kept getting stuck. So I had to push five very long hours. By the time he came I was so exhausted, I was falling asleep between pushes. And then there he was. Even with his cone head, he was perfect and wide awake; so alert, so aware, and so ready to go. He brought with him a zest for life that still amazes me. His newborn eyes were those of one well-lived, not someone just starting out. I remember looking into those clear, bright eyes for the first time and sensing he knew exactly where he was, and what he was doing here. He was up all night that first night (and many after). Even then I think he was worried he might miss something if he went to sleep. He has taught me so much, and I am grateful for the things I have learned and continue to learn as his mother. Today we celebrate him, and we're going to party like it's 1999!

Birthdays at our house start with family presents at breakfast:

Imponderables from Uncle Spence

AJ gave him her prized collectors edition gold pokemon card

This wooden snake from Grandpa & Grandma is a nice replacement for HUGZ

These pickles are also from my parents; they obviously know the way to his heart

He requested a silly party this year; complete with meatloaf cake (a repeat from April Fools-- although this one didn't turn out as pretty)

Cheesecake pizza as dessert

Some of the silly costumes

Silly string attack!!

Cove Fort

On the way to St. George, we stopped off at Cove Fort to exercise our legs and appreciate some pioneer heritage. At the end of our tour, the sister missionary showed us a glass case containing copies of the Book of Mormon in many languages. She had A&A close their eyes, turn around three times, and point at the display. She told them the book they were pointing to belonged to the country they would serve their mission in. AP was pointing at the French copy and AJ to the Norwegian copy. . . it will be fun to see in 10ish years if the predictions are correct!

past time!

The last time my whole family was together was Christmas 2004. Way too long ago. We were able to get together in July and had some family pictures done. Here we all are!

We got some really nice shots; I especially love the ones of my parents!

The original six

Me and my sibsMy mom, sister, and me

And my cute little family!

Love this little man!

I love to see my parents enjoy my kids!

And my sweet hubby with his game face on! Should have been a football coach. . .

And finally a few of the ones I got with my camera:

Nate and Clarris super women!BOY cousins: the minority

girls and their dolls

He's home!

I wasn't sure exactly what time J would be getting home from his Australia trip, just knew it was roughly 5 PM so when he showed up closer to 4:00 no one was around! Luckily we had gotten the welcome home sign on the garage door! However when he walked in the house it was pretty empty. A&A were busy playing with friends, and I was back in the bedroom cleaning. No welcome crew ready, but D wandered out just in time to see J come in. He was a little shy at first, but warmed right up, and I don't think there could have been a better greeting than a snuggle from D.

Fun with the family

I took my kids to our Nielsen reunion on Saturday. We had a great time! Aunt TedAnn had 2 pinatas for the kids to do and Tisha had the coolest water slide set up (Carmell and I were wishing we had our swimsuits so we could join in the fun)! A&A had a great time with all the cousins they "didn't even know they had," and it was so good to see aunts, uncles, and cousins that I love so much and haven't seen for so long. I wish I had taken more pictures, but I was too busy visiting. . .

Sharing my childhood

After our get-together, we stopped to visit the horses and I showed them some of the places my cousins and I used to play. Thanks to Lexi, A&A got to ride on the 4-wheeler (which is about the coolest thing ever). And, of course, Aunt TedAnn had pop-ice's for us! It was so nostalgic watching my red-faced, sweaty kids sitting on her steps eating them. She also brought me out fresh aloe vera leaves to rub on their poor sunburned cheeks. Of course AJ freaked out just at the thought of that sticky plant coming close to her (I remember my own protests when Mom and Grandma put it on me). Here some pictures, and while my kids couldn't get the full experience of my childhood visits to Grandma's in such a short time, it was fun to share these little bits with them!

playing in the old cars

as a kid I thought this army ambulance was SO cool

old appliances and other junk were used to play house

climbing the haystacks

Lancey and AJ feed the horses

AP with Bonnie and Phae

On the way home I had the following conversation with AJ

AJ: When can we visit Aunt TedAnn again?

me: Hmmm, I'm not really sure.

AJ: I hope it's soon.

me: that would be fun.

a little bit later. . .

AJ: Who owns all that land by Aunt TedAnn's house?

me: I think most of it is my uncles' but some of it is Aunt TedAnn's

AJ: Do you think they would sell us some?

me: Why?

AJ: I want to build a house there and move there so I can play at Aunt TedAnn's all the time!

My reminder

One of my favorite things is watching my children happily playing in the yard, completely content with themself and their world. The above picture is of A&A enjoying our backyard in Alabama years ago. Now D is at that age where he wants to spend the whole day out. In fact, if he isn't out he isn't happy; a lot of clinging, whining, and screaming. . . Even so, I'm trying not to look past this stage, because I know it goes so quickly. So outside we go, leaving inside work undone. I'm trying to be ok with my piles of dishes, the clutter on my countertop, and my sticky, crumbly kitchen floor. Because right now I get to watch his blonde little head bobbing around the yard; all around the playset, down the gravel, up and over the rocks, through the grass, onto the deck and over again. . .






I think back to when AP and AJ were in this stage, and as hard as it was, I miss it. I want it back. But instead I'll enjoy the time I have now. This poem is my reminder:

Child of Air

R.L. Stevenson

As from the house your mother sees

You playing round the garden trees,

so you may see if you will look,

through the windows of this book

another child far, far away

and in another garden play

but do not think you can at all

by knocking on the window call

that child to hear you

He intent is all on his play-business bent

He does not hear, he will not look

nor yet be lured out of this book

For, long ago the truth to say

He has grown up and gone away

And it is but a child of air

that lingers in the garden there