Interdependence Day

Jared and I got to take Anna and Scott to church all by ourselves. They were perfect, and we got to listen to the speakers and the Spirit.

I'm grateful for our interdependence. I'd like to share my witness that this family unit in which we are all sealed together was foreordained. The creation of our covenant relationship, like all other God's creations, was not by luck or chance or random, but purposeful.

I believe we were all "meant for each other" in this extended family unit here in mortality. I'm grateful for each of you and our eternal relationship. As my children, spouses of my children, and my children's children I have the joy of sharing mortality with you, and eternity with you, and that's amazingly wonderful.

I'm grateful for my Savior, Jesus Christ, for His atoning power and His love. I testify of the ratifying power of the Holy Spirit of Promise which seals our covenants and binds us for the eternities. I pray that we will also claim the power to bind our hearts in unity.
With love and in the name of Jesus Christ.
Amen

Home Again, Home Again Jiggiddy Jig

Kristi's pictures say it all, and I wanted it said here, too.









First Bath was a milestone in which Anna could participate. Her specialty was brushing out his fuzzy head of inch-long hair.







What do you notice is out of place in this bath time photo?
Here is a hint from his hospital bassinet.


Can you find what doesn't belong at home?
Hmmm. The I.D. bracelets were removed at bath time, but what's the story with that belly button clamp?

Yep, Tyler inadvertently brought it home. I imagine something on the discharge checklist must have been overlooked. But at Tyler's check-up on Friday, his pediatrician removed the unfriendly device and washed the area in silver nitrate to help dry out and shrink the cord.



Another discovery at this check-up just 4 days after his birth when Tyler's length was measured and remeasured, he was 22.25 inches. That is a 3/4 inch gain since birth! Really? Wow, he is really a very long newborn boy. But I wonder...
Born at 8lbs15oz and with all that hair, fingernails already grown out long enough to curl over the tips of his fingers (which Kristi confidently trimmed the day he was born), and skin entirely devoid of vernix and already peeling at every crease and beyond (desquamation), was his induction day actually a week early? I am SO grateful to Heavenly Father that Tyler's emergence from the womb fulfilled Kristi's priesthood blessing and was timely, safe and sound.

"Baby Brudder Is Coming"

4:30 AM: Nurses at hospital say to check in at 6:30. At home after breakfast, we are painting and coloring.




8:00 AM: Doctors and nurses are ready, and Kristi's contractions start. At home we are eating snacks and watching a show.




8:45 AM Daddy and Mommy send a picture of happy mommy to the kids and a grinning Scotty decides he needs to hold onto it for awhile.




Noon: While Kristine is in labor, Jared takes us out for burgers-- he's gotta keep the I'll-just-sit-around-and-eat-burgers tradition alive!







12:30 Home just in time for Scotty to nap, and for Anna to get the WORD. Tyler is here!!!


Tyler is here! 8 lbs. 15 oz, 21.5 in. Born June 25 at 12:25.



Anna thinks this is great fun, and kinda cra-a-zy!
Scott is sleeping.

Ready? or Not.

Count down another day or two and then we are IN THE RED.

Kristi has passed the point of happily responding when a stranger stops to stare and then ask, "OH my...when are you due?"
For example, at the movie theater the other day, she just turned back around and walked away with Anna and Scott in tow as I stayed in line for the tickets and sort-of answered. I've learned from Kristi that it is the tiniest bit satisfying to hold on to some privacy and block a thoughtless intruder with a pleasant but uninformative response.
Scheduled to deliver tomorrow, two doctors in her OB group have also announced that they are going on vacation AND that they are already three days behind on their planned schedule for inductions. Seriously? Well, we are ready, but maybe they are not...



Kristine's nursery is soothing and inviting. One of my favorite additions made by Johanna is the dinosaur alphabet wall hanging for {Tyler the Tyrannosaur} which includes...
... p q rawr s t...
Cleverly retaining the work room area, and with the bright idea of bringing in the video TV, this bedroom has quickly become the new favorite cozy spot for everyone. Happily, Scott's midnight snuggles with Dad and Anna's early morning craft projects with Mom will soon enough be enjoyed by Tyler, too.

Earthquake Zone

At an indoor playground called "Jump Street" in Chandler AZ we had a rompin', stompin' good time this week on bounce houses, trampolines, and gigantic crocodiles. Grandpa's youthful energy was put to the test as he climbed in with Anna and Scott. Wearing out the kids for a good night's rest seems to work equally well on the rest of us.

Double-Good Day

Happy Father's Day for all the Dads and a Happy Birthday for Jared, too--
that's a whole lot of happy going on here.



Luke took his first steps in Kristi's front room,
toddling between his Dad and his Grandpa Lee;
but perched here on the porch steps,
Anna and Scott are protectively hovering at his sides.

"Papa fix it!"

There's a reason why Anna and Scott run to their grandpa whenever something needs fixing, and they call out as they go, "Papa fix it.".
Not just Anna and Scott; I do it, too.

When I need to work late at school because I've taken on so much and been sidetracked again, he comes to the classroom with dinner and the ladder from home so that he can take something down from display, or put something up--whichever. And he asks, "What's next?"

Too often I wake up tossing and turning and in tears of pain, unfortunately for him it wakes him, too. Again. He slides out of bed to bring back for me the Aleve with toast and milk to wash it down, or a heated rice bag, or prepares for me some other comfort like a steaming shower or a priesthood blessing. Usually he doesn't ask, he just quietly thinks of things.

Maybe that's the way it goes at church, too, when the stake president says to book for him about 15 minutes with a sister, but Jared allows for an hour instead, and the Interview ends up taking even longer, but the President is ready for his next meeting on time after all. He fixes stuff before it's broken.

Like the cars. Or the next-door-neighbor's open garage door at midnight. Or the other neighbor's increasing crab grass. Or a loose pot handle and a rocking ceiling fan.

Mostly, he fixes my heart.

I run to Jared when something needs fixing. Don't you?

Service Award

I've been at it 15 years with Fullerton School District. To my way of thinking it's been 16. Camp Week with 6th graders 16 times, 16 classes to get to know and then to say good-bye, 16 summer vacations to relish with my family! My first year of teaching I took over a class which another teacher needed to leave after school started, so that year isn't officially counted, except by me.
When I started this working mom lifestyle, I told myself that I was good for maybe 15 years. Some days I'm more than done. But most days I'm looking forward to trying something new or doing something better in the classroom with the kids. I think that means I'm not done.

Memphis Memories

Who comes to mind at the mention of Memphis, Tennessee?

Our very own Johanna, Tal, and Luke, 

Elvis Presley,

and the civil rights martyr Martin Luther King, Jr.

We toured the Presley property, airplanes, tourist stores, and grave site. 

I'm not sure what Graceland Fudge has to do with Elvis, but it was delicious.

Family dining room in the mansion.

Mansion entrance evokes grand southern traditions.

We also spent hours in the National Civil Rights Museum, trying to take in the complexities of the civil rights movement that led to the assassination of Dr. King here in Memphis. The irony of his violent death as the culmination of his effort for peaceful change was clearly communicated. This experience was one I could share back at school with the sixth graders, too.

Historical preservation of the hotel balcony where Martin Luther King, Jr. was shot.
The interior of the structure has been converted to a museum which explains the sequence of historical events.

Luke was in the driver's seat while we toured the Memphis Zoo.

Out front of Johanna's house is a view of their growing neighborhood.

The temple grounds share the parking lot of the meetinghouse where Tal and Johanna attend church.
It was a surprising location, understated and so close to home.

Gourmet meals!

Every day with Johanna we were off to a new adventure, including a visit to the Memphis Zoo. The facade was a reference to Memphis Egypt, which was another fun 6th grade connection!

Memphis Zoo

Downtown Memphis

Rendey-vous is a place where famous people like Luke go to eat really great BBQ ribs.
You can send an order FED-EX. too.

 This birthday boy was about as interested in his chocolate cake as he looks in this picture. I don't get it.