Colorado Christmas

We spent Christmas in Colorado this year. The Whiting family has always had the tradition of getting together on Christmas Eve for dinner and to read about Christ's birth. We've dressed up in the same garbs that my own mom wore when she was young (angels with tinsel for halos, bathrobes and towels for the shepherds, and fancy jewelry boxes for the wise men to carry). This year, though, my Aunt Laura told the Nativity story and the little kids each got to unwrap a piece of the Nativity set and put it on the table as the story was told.

Backyard Sledding

I never really thought sledding would be a pastime for my boys in their own backyard, I mean, yea, 4-wheelers back and forth, but not sledding. The boys took advantage of the fresh snow two weeks ago. Matt enjoyed it. The bloom was off the rose pretty quick for Milo, though. Other than coats, hats, odd-sized mittens, and snow pants that were too small, the boys weren't really equipped to handle the cold wet stuff. After a short ride down the hill, falling into snow, and truding up the hill in his best tennis shoes (besides his legs are short, like his dad's), Milo was ready to call it quits after two times. Can't say as I blame him.

So, we couldn't find a "real" sled (not even an inner-tube), so the boys had to make due with a boogie board.

Santa doesn't come to little boys who peek...

Santa's been keeping his stash downstairs in the basement, in a room Matt has been told repeatedly to stay out of. Actually, I'm really surprised he's lasted this long. I took some wrapped presents down there tonight and Matt and Milo tagged along to "help." Matt literally pushed Milo and me out of the way so he could be the first one down the stairs because, in his words, "it's my house." OK, since when does Matt want to be the first one down the dark stairs that lead into the dark, cold basement?

I once again threatened him. This time, though, the little bugger was too fast for me and peeked through the crack where the door is hinged.

"Wow, a bike," says he.

It was hard to hold back my smile as I saw his face light up. But, 'tis the season to be the Grinchy Mom and I had to tell him not to peek. I couldn't help but remember the days long ago when my cousin Amber would search her whole house until she found the loot, then let me in the secret of her stash. Every year she did this. Aunt Donna should have known better - your closet 'tis not a good hiding place.

After this encounter, Matt proceeded to lecture me on how mean I was. Speaking of Matt, he has also said some funny things lately:

Matt: Mom, why you in the shower all day long?

(It's true.)

Matt: Stop it Milo! Mom, Milo's watching me go pooh-pooh!

Me: Milo, don't watch Matt go pooh-pooh.

Matt: Mom, who made that thing? (pointing to the zipper pull on my coat)

Me: I don't know, whoever made the coat.

Matt: I think Jesus make it. Remember, Jesus make everything.

Matt has also been saying some good prayers lately. I'm just happy he wants to say the prayers. No matter if it's the prayer over the food or bedtime prayers, he says the same things - and has to add a "P.S" to the prayer should he forget anything. Sometimes it makes for long prayers over the food when we pray for dad at work, to watch out for cars in the road, and to not say bad words (that stems from a little encounter, OK two encounters, we had with the f-bomb the other day), etc.


And lately, Matt has questions for everything. He wants to know who was on the phone and what we talked about, what I'm doing on the computer, what's in the mail, etc. I guess I've been a bad mom, though, because at times he's taken to answering his own questions because of a repeated absent-minded answer I tend to give. Case in point:


Matt: Why is that car so fast? Because it is?

oh sNOw!

Snow was an unusual sight to wake up to this morning. We live about five minutes above (elevation-wise) St. George, and even in SG it's not unusual to get a snow storm or two during winter. What is unusual is when it sticks. The snow pretty much ruined 78% of my plans for the day. Oh well, 'tis the season!

Good thing Sam finally got the boat winterized.

Not quite sure what Milo thinks of the snow.

He does like to put his shoes and "jack" on (and off, and on, and off, and on again).

There's my Dixie boy - he was complaining when his shoes and pants got wet.

Ah, a boy after my own heart!

Milo and The New Bed

I've finally been able to convince Sam that Milo, who is not quite 2 1/2, was indeed ready for a new bed. When he's able to climb in and out of the crib, I mean really, what's the point of the little cage anymore? So, like what we did with Matt, we bought him a full-size bed (in hopes that will be the only bed we'll ever have to buy for either of them).

So, when it came time for bed last night, Milo marched into his room and started crawling up the changing table to get into his bed. Milo, at this point, has had his own room, while Cooper and Matt share a room. Now, Milo and Matt share a room. I was prepared for a power of wills.

Me: "No, Milo, let's go get into your own big boy bed now."

Milo: "Oh."

And away he went. He laid down in bed and after ten minutes I went to check on him. He'd turned the light on and was laying by the door on the floor with his "bank." He looked so sad and little. I laid with him until he fell asleep.

We survived the first night in the big bed. But the following pictures tell the story of "Milo and his bed without walls."

No No Dog-Dog

So, I was inspired to write this latest post as I gazed out my kitchen window and noticed a big pile of dog crap on the walkway leading up to the front door. I do not have a dog. So, I must assume the neighbor's dog, who in between crapping on my property, wanders the neighborhood sowing his seeds and digging through my garbage, must be the culprit.

We do not own a dog, or any pet for that matter for several reasons. And now before all fellow blogging animal loving friends, and PETA member cousins...yea, you know who you are, curse me, let me first tell you that I do not condone any abuse, neglect, or hatred towards any animal. I just choose not to own any for the following reasons:

1. I spent 90% of my day cleaning up after other living creatures. Why would I want to add to the mix another creature that eats and poops?

2. I've had a puppy before. They chew on everything. The dig holes where holes aren't supposed to be. They jump and scare little kids.

3. They poop. I don't want to spend any part of my day pooper-scooping. And you have to do it because if you don't someone's bound to walk in it.

4. They pee and kill the grass.

5. They shed.

6. They bark.

7. They get out and annoy the neighbors...you know like digging through their trash and coming into open garages and peeing on valuables.

8. I don't like cats because they are so unpredictable. I don't like creatures with sharp claws and teeth so close to my face. I think that might have a beginning when I was bitten by my Aunt Joanne's cat. Granted I was petting him while he was eating...sorry Nancy Nina.

9. I've never been into the rodent pet thing. I've always had an aversion to gerbils, mice, hampsters, guinea pigs, etc.

10. Even gold fish stink up the bowl.

I don't hate dogs. I just don't want one right now. Besides, no dog could ever replace Oreo. We got him in front of City Market, he was a mutt, when I was 9 and he died shortly after I got married when I was 22. I think he knew his time was coming to an end so he left my parents' house and died somewhere in the fields or near the creek where he loved to roam. Maybe some psycho-analysis would reveal that no dog could ever take Yo-yo's place.

I know at some point we'll have to get a dog. No little boy should grow up without one. But, until Matthew can pooper-scoop, feed, and play with it everyone will just have to deal because I AM THE MOM!

A Happy Thanksgiving

Thanksgiving this year was with the Andrus family. Sam and I take turns with our families and the holidays, so we stayed in St. George. For our "first" dinner of the day, the whole Andrus family (Sam's aunts and uncles and their children) meet in a church gym for the meal. I don't know how long they'll continue the tradition, the families are getting so big that it's getting more impersonal. And the dinner is just the basics - turkey, mashed potatoes and gravy, Jell-O, rolls, and pies. So, Kristen, one of my three sisters-in-law, and I, decided years ago we wanted left-overs, dang it! So, we do another dinner later that night at my in-laws...it's much better (and I save making the good pies for then).

Sam and me
My in-laws, Mary and Jim

Milo and Cragun (I don't think his dad was around to see him in this little get-up. I, on the other hand, thought it was kind of funny - is that bad??)

Princess Asia and Princess Cragun

Cooper and Grandma

Nothing like sitting and a little boob-tube

Kristen and Jimmy (Sam's bro)

Erik (Sam's other bro)

Thanks for a Functioning Body

So, Cooper has decided he'd like to quit being a rug rat. Actually, he's starting to walk for pure survival's sake. Now that he can get into his brothers' toys and wreck havoc, both Matt and Milo have been defending their territory - they don't really consider him the baby anymore.

I appreciate that we are born with that instinct to keep progressing. Now that Coopie is getting his land legs, he loves to get up and move. There's just something about the human body and instinct to not be satisfied with where we are. When laying on our backs don't cut it anymore, we learn to roll, then crawl, then walk, and run and jump.

I am so grateful for physically capable children who like to jump, and roll, and play, and move. Our bodies are really so amazing (and I'm not really talking about my physiqe, thank you). There's no amount of science that can replicate the fluidity of fingers moving or a turn of the head.

(I had a video of Cooper walking already to post and I, for some reason, can't figure out how to get it on here. In the meantime, I will try to learn this new fangled thing.)

Thanks for Buddies & Music

So, I made a playlist tonight and I had a perma-grin the entire time! I love music. My tastes aren't real limited and so I can like some different stuff. I've played the piano since I was eight and played the clarinet in middle school. And as much as I would've hated to admit it in high school - I secretly wanted to be in the band. I know being a "band fag" wasn't the cool thing, but heck, I really did like band in middle school and I wasn't too bad at it.

So, I love music and while making this playlist just about every song holds some kind of memory for me, hence the perma-grin. All these songs remind me of my friends or some meaningful time in my life. "Your Love is My Love" takes me back to my Raintree apartment at Dixie; "Eye of the Tiger" was a high school theme song at every sporting event; "Small Town, Saturday Night" reminds me of Kanab for some odd reason; and well, Britney Spears and Backstreet Boys...well, if you're in my generation you know what I'm talking about.

Songs and smells can bring you back to any moment in time and I love that memories can stay so fresh that way. That song Mark McGrath sings about "there's a halo on my girlfriend's four post bed...." that song reminds me of waffles...hmm. I'm just thankful for good songs, good buddies, and good times.

Sidenote: I've always wanted to live in a musical. Wouldn't it be so cool if everyone just broke out into song and dance in unison? I would love to have my life set to a soundtrack!

Thanks for Mom & Dad

I am so thankful for my Mom and Dad. They're the best! I wish I lived closer to them, but I think we're here in St. George for the long haul.

My Mom is really one of my best friends. I've never had a problem talking to her about just anything (within reason, of course - there's some things a mother should never know). She's a good listener and I've always looked to her for advice - and her advice is usually spot-on. Growing up, we lived 25 minutes from my middle school and high school. But, until I got my car, my mom always drove me to my volleyball practices, even during two-a-days, to my band concerts, to after school activities, and to my friends' homes on the weekends. She didn't want me to miss out on anything I wanted to do. She was always at home when we came home from school and encourages me in anything I've wanted to do. If it weren't for my mom pushing journalism, I would've missed out on writing and editing my high school newspaper, which was one of the best experiences I've had. She takes care of her big baby (my little sis, Kassie), all while working full-time, being a nana, and doing the hordes of laundry/dishes that pile up. When I was younger I told her after she died the thing I'd remember most about her was always cleaning. OK, Mom, I'll remember more than that.

My Dad is the smartest person I know when it comes to anything that has to do with the gospel. He is a scriptural sponge. I think he's read every book by every apostle. He relaxes by reading his books, with his pink highlighter, at the kitchen table. My dad works for the railroad and is such a hard worker. He doesn't have set hours, yet he still manages to be on call constantly and go to work in the middle of the night. Growing up, my dad was the type who did things with my brother and I whenever he could. He wasn't the dad who had his nose in the TV or told us to be quiet because he couldn't hear. He'd take us to the park and play catch and get down on the floor and play "Memory." My dad has always been supportive in anything I do. The only time I felt any shame was when he was disappointed I quit volleyball one season after I had started it. I did get to go back and join the team again, but he's always taught me to finish what I start.

I love both my parents, and I probably don't tell them that enough, but I do.

Thanks for Health

Ever been sick? I am so thankful for my health, and even more thankful for the health of my children, my family, and friends. We really are in a wonderful time to be alive. We have so many conveniences that make life easier and modern medicine ranks right up there as one of our greatest blessings.

I've heard it said that our trials in these last days are more of the spiritual nature; we don't have to quite endure what our ancestors did. I know Matthew and I probably would've died in childbirth if it weren't for doctors' abilities to perform C-sections and administer antibiotics. My mom and little sister would've been in the same situation, and were a lot closer than I ever came to death. But, nobody is immune to sickness, spiritual or physical.

Sam's cousin, Jeff Andrus, has spent this last week going through chemotherapy at the U of U Hospital. He is supposed to get a bone marrow transplant, from his brother, in the next day or so. The chemotherapy, though, has caused some unexpected damage and he can't have any pain meds because of the upcoming transplant (I hope I'm getting all this info. right!) The family is having a special fast for him tomorrow. I realize that most you who read my blog probably don't know Jeff, but maybe just keep him in your prayers. He's such a nice guy. He and his wife, Kathryn, have two little kids. Jeff was actually the first person I met at Dixie College (other than roommates) when I first came to St. George. We were in Bro. Judd's institute class together. He's just such a nice, outgoing guy. Please pray for him and his family.

I'm just thankful there are ways to treat, and even diagnose, what ails us. The world has come so far the last 150 years in treating anything. I know it's because of the restored gospel on the Earth, and the diligence of doctors to learn and the faithfulness of people who truly believe that Heavenly Father can heal that leads to so many miracles.

Thanks for TV

I like TV. I admit it. I spend my days with a three little boys ages 4, 2, and 1. I really do look forward to bedtime. I mean, it's not always the highlight of my day, but when I finally get to lay my sweet angels down at the end of sometimes a long, hard, long day, the TV and I can once again reconnect.

I do love my children; they are the most important people in my life, but sometimes I read other people's blogs and it gets me down. Do these other bloggers who have kid(s) not get worn down? Because, I swear, it sounds like these mothers (and fathers) have all the energy, patience, and love in the world and they're almost disappointed when the day is over. OK, not me. About half the time, I do a naked dance, eat some chocolate, lovingly kiss my DVR, and settle in for a few hours.

I need some me time at the end of the day. Sam doesn't understand why I stay up so late most nights. "Just go to sleep. Why do you gotta stay up?" the man says to me. He doesn't understand. I need alone time! My TV is overtaken by a combination of "Tom and Jerry" and "Thomas" sporadically during the day. So, I don't even try anymore (and there's always something I should be doing instead of TV, as much as I hate to admit it).

Thank the heavens for the advent of DVR! What a sublime, wonderful creation! I was against getting it at first: only TV junkies would tape shows, and I was not a TV junkie. That was the old me. I now have 68 episodes of "The Office," the last few episodes of "Lost" (which I can't watch yet because I have to see the first few of that season), "87 Kids and Counting" (I think that's it), "Unwrapped," "The Biggest Loser," and a few others here and there that catch my fancy.

Anyway, I love TV and people really shouldn't put it down. All things in moderation, and only "good" programming, of course, but I can always count on my TV to help me unwind at the end of the day.

Thanks for Ellen

I'm so thankful for my Aunt Ellen. Today is her birthday, and she would've been 46. Wow, that's hard to believe. She died in August 1999, but it feels like she's been gone forever. I wish I had a picture at my house that I could post of her, but I've searched forever and can't find the one I know I had. All the other pictures in the photo book are right there and that one is missing. She must have come and stole it.

Ellen is my mom's next youngest sister and the closest aunt and one of the best friends I ever had. I have so many good memories of her. When she'd stay at our house, she'd sleep in my bed and then leave a candy bar under the pillow when she left. I always looked forward to coming home from school to find it. My cousins and I would have sleepover at my Grandma's up in Ellen's room. We slept on the floor and Ellen would always tell us she had to go downstairs and would be right back. She'd never come back and we'd fall asleep waiting for her to return. And that memory reminds me of the "Hibernation Game." We'd "hibernate" (hide) and she'd come find us. She'd never come to find us. Also, we'd play the "Quiet Game." I'm sure you can guess how that one worked. It's really funny now that I look back. I'm going to try those games with my kids.

Ellen was my biggest supporter. She was right there with me bad mouthing my volleyball coaches and threatening to take them out. She defended me against anyone, including her own sisters. And she was always there to talk to. She was such a night owl and I could find her any time I needed to talk. She didn't have much money, but she bought me a graduation dress and a swimsuit when I went to France.

She is the greatest example of enduring to the end. When she was 18 she was diagnosed with a rare blood disorder that caused lumps on her skin. She was in and out of the hospital until the end, often spending weeks at a time at the University of Utah hospital. Sure, she had her bad days and wasn't a saint, but that just makes her human and even more of an example. The countless operations, medications, and stress eventually took its toll and she died in her sleep at home, in her own bed....with the TV on. If there was any way to go for her, I'm so glad it was that way.

Ellen loved writing in her journal and she had literally dozens and dozens of journals. I know she had such a testimony and faith of what lie ahead of her. I'm sad for myself that she never got to see any of my own kids and I often think what she would think of them. She never married, but I'm sure she's found her Civil War hunk in heaven that she often mentioned.

I know Ellen would've gotten a kick out of this whole blogging phenom and probably would've had her own. I'm not so good at the journal thing, but blogging does help a little. I just wanted to share a little about my favorite aunt and how often I think of her.

Thanks for the Rain

I am thankful for the rain. Living in the desert (or anywhere in the Southwest) rain is hard to come by. So, any day it rains, or is even cloudy, is a welcome day. It poured yesterday and while in Nursery at church, the kids went outside and watched, listened, and smelled the rain. It seems like no matter how old you are, you can always stop and watch the rain come down and still be awed by it. I love it.

My favorite smell?

The smell of wet earth, especially in the desert, after a rainstorm.

These pictures were taken from our backyard.

Thanks for the Simple Things

Remember when a balloon could just make your day?

Thanks for the Husband

I am thankful for The Husband. Sam and I were married March 2002. We met in a roundabout way. I was roommates at Dixie with Sam's first cousin, Necia. Sam had a boat. Necia had roommates who wanted to go to the lake. Hence, this is how we all met Sam. I wasn't living in St. George the summer they all started going, but once school started again we went on a boating trip. Sam had a fiancee at the time (she wasn't cute). So, we used him for some boat action and he really intimidated me. Never said one word to me the whole time I was on his boat, and to this day he still doesn't remember me being there that first time.

Skip ahead about a year and a half and I was living in SG again. My roommates and some old friends went out to dinner with Sam and his friends. I sat across the table from him and he introduced himself. I told him I knew who he was and you could tell he thought he was quite the man. He had a girlfriend at the time, but no fiancee. Some time later we went "jeepin' " and I was stuck in his Jeep because there wasn't room in the other one. I had, up to this point, tried to avoid Sam because I always thought he thought we were annoying and he was doing us a favor taking us on the Jeep or the boat. He just didn't talk - which can be very uncomfortable. We played paintball tag between the two Jeeps and it was so much fun! He actually spoke to me on the way home and old me goodbye. Could the Sam actually be paying me attention?

Well, we went on some dates, broke up once, got back together, I threatened to move to Cedar City to finish school at the end of the semester (because I'd been commuting from SG for a semester) if we weren't engaged, and lo and behold! we were engaged a couple weeks after my ultimatum.

Sam's pretty simple in some ways and really mysterious in others. A good word for him is "abrupt." For example, if we were watching a movie at my apartment with a group of people, he'd just get up and leave without saying anything at the end of the movie. Movie's over - time to leave. No words necessary.

1. Where did you meet your husband?
On his boat.

2. How long did you date before you got married?
11 months

3. How long have you been married?
It will be seven years in March.

4. What does he do to surprise you?
Buys something - like a broken down truck. Oh, is this supposed to be a good surprise?

5. What is your favorite feature of his?
Height, bigness - makes me feel smaller.

6.What is your favorite quality?
He's the hardest worker ever. He can't sit still and he detests laziness.

7. Does he have a nickname for you?
Jack

8. What is his favorite food?
Meat, corn, pomegranate salad, and rolls with jam. He has to have jam on any bread and he was once going to ask for it at Red Lobster to put on his cheddar bay biscuits. Jam does not go on those type of rolls! I had to beg him not to embarrass me that way.

9. What is his favorite sport?
Basketball, dirt bikes, wake boarding

10. When and where did you first kiss?
In my mom's minivan after I dropped him off at his truck when he came through Grand Junction.

11. What is your favorite thing to do as a couple?
Eat, go to the lake, drive in peace (no kids screaming) and just talk

12.Do you have children?
Three boys. Matt has Sam's energy. Milo has Sam's looks. Cooper had Sam's underlying mischievousness.

13. Does he have any hidden talents?
He gives really good foot massages.

14. How old is he?
31 on Nov. 3 - this birthday wasn't as dramatic as last years when he turned 30.

15. Who said I love you first?
He did.

16. What is his favorite music?
Alternative, rock, little bit of country, and Michael McLean's "Forgotten Carols"

17. What do you admire most about him?
I've always felt safe around Sam. He knows a lot more than he lets on. He's definitely not one to brag about his capabilities. He's such a good dad and will play ball and take the kids on the 4-wheeler. His ability to stick to his principles even though he's in a business surrounded by those who have little. His initiative - he wants to work for himself and so far as done a good job of making a go of his ventures.

18. What is his favorite color?
Blue

19. Will he read this?
Hmm...depends on how bored he is.

Did you know that Sam....

Can ride a dirt bike and 3 and 4-wheelers like a pro?

He's actually competed in some desert races.
Can wakeboard and jump the wake, and he can slalom ski?

Was on an award-winning racing team?

Is not so great at dressing sometimes?

Even on our wedding day he had holes in his socks.

Has never said anything negative to me about my appearance?

Even when I'm fat and just feel gross, he still makes me feel all nice and purty.

Is the best driver ever? Semis, four-wheelers, boats, dirt bikes, motorcycles, and even my minivan when I let him drive it.

Has a real strong sense of country?He listens to conservative talk radio and has some strong opinions on welfare, the economy, and Obama.

He couldn't resist me because he told me I was one of the few girls he ever dated who had a backbone and stood up for myself?

Thanks for the tag Nancy Nina. I now tag Kara, Lainee, Crystal, Tara, Jeana, and Brittney (who never updates her blog!).

Happy Halloween

Well, Halloween was quite productive this year - we made a good haul. Sam was out of town, so I loaded the troops up and went around the neighborhood. Most kids in Winchester hitch rides in the back of a pickup or a 4-wheeler. We didn't have Dad, so we did it the old-fashioned way. Cooper and Milo got to ride in the stroller; Matt had to walk. Matt did pretty good though - we walked for an hour and a half and he didn't complain.
And I kept true to my vow I made five years ago and did not leave any candy in a bowl on my front porch while I was gone. I did that one year while living in Santa Clara. We never got any trick-or-treaters but for some reason, I came home to find all the candy gone - stinkin' candy thieves!

These pictures were taken at the

neighborhood Halloween Carnival the week before.

Matt the Athlete

Matt with his friend, Dawson
Cooper went as a Pea-in-the-Pod (minus the peas) I love having all boys and recycling costumes. Can you guess what Cooper will be next year?