Kaitlyn

Some of you may notice the COLORFUL update to my long neglected blog. This is all due to my 15 year old neice, Kaitlyn. She make it look so easy. I think I learned things from her. The number one thing I learned is that I MUST get a digital camera. Merry Christmas!

Early Christmas Present

Randy invited me to attend a Northern California Community College Math Conference in Monterey with him this past weekend. He booked reservations for us at the same bed and breakfast we stayed in on our honeymoon in Carmel. The last time we were at the "Green Lantern Inn" was for our 5 year anniversary. It was the same week that Brevin started his Applied Behavioral Analysis Program and I was a nervous wreck. It was nice to return 5 years later and completely relax. Randy attended his meetings in the day, while I slept in, took walks along the beach, window shopped, ate out, watched 3 hours of HGTV, read a book, took a nap, etc. My aunt and uncle in Sacramento graciously watched our kids for us so we could go. What would we do without family? It was fun to talk to Micah Nilsson and check in with their family. Now that we know this is a regular conference, perhaps next year we can plan ahead and try to visit with the whole Nilsson clan. Maybe next year we'll bring the kids....maybe not. Merry Christmas to me. Thank you, Randy.

I Play the Cello

Yesterday in church, a brother and sister, just a little bit older than Brevin and Lindie, played a violin duet of "I Know That My Redeemer Lives." My kids were in awe. I leaned over to Lindie and asked, "What instrument would you like to play when you turn 8?" She said, "The piano, the violin, or the harp." I leaned over to Michaela and asked the same thing and she said, "The drums." I love my girls. Brevin was creating letter puzzles at the time and could not be interupted. I wonder what he would've said? Hopefully the piano since lessons start again in January after this 6 month hiatus.

Fall Birthdays

I haven't read my blog for awhile and so much fun reading responses from friends I love and miss and admire so much! What an uplift to my day.

Today was Michaela's 3rd birthday. I CANNOT believe I was in Sutter Davis hospital with the greatest nurse ever (thank you for being there that night Andra and recommending your friend--next time, can I just have you--not that we know when/if a next time is). I loved having Randy spend the night with me every night I was in the hospital. I did not like my midwife, but Michaela came anyway. And we are so thankful for her!

My favorite memory was having Brevin and Lindie come and meet her. I was sitting in the hospital bed and I felt like I had a front row seat of two of the most excited faces ever meeting their little sister. I rewind and play that memory a lot.

Randy blessed Michaela to be VIBRANT in her baby blessing. (Thank you again Phoebe for letting my family ambush your house while you were away for that baby blessing bash). For our family, she is. Singing all the words to all three High School Musical songs and pretending to be Sharpay while Lindie is Gabriella. She is definately the third.

Today we celebrated her birthday with a special playdate at the library for storytime. Todd has already asked Michaela to marry him, and she has consented, although rather reluctantly. The librarian and his puppet dog, George, sang "Happy Birthday" to her. Todd gave Michaela a present that will be perfect for sacrament meeting. Maybe now Randy will have face when she screams at the top of her lungs, "No I will NOT whisper" as he wisks her out into the foyer.

This afternoon, Brevin's scout troop went ice skating. We went along too, to help lower the group price. I cannot remember that last time I went ice skating. It was so fun! They had these walker like things for Lindie and Michaela to scoot along the ice. Michaela carried hers all the way from the lobby to the rink and just took off. I couldn't keep up with her as she went around and around and around. It was so cute! Lindie was reluctant and finally said, "If Michaela can do it, I can too." Brevin was holding on to the ledge for dear life until I went around the rink with him showing him how to fall and get back up again. By the time we left, Brevin was skating sans handrail in the middle of the rink and falling and getting back up like a pro, Lindie was becoming more confident with her walker, and Michaela was stripped to her T-shirt and pants trying to tap dance on the bleaches with her ice skates.

We went out to dinner at McDonald's, despite Randy and I's attempts to brainwash Michael'a into wanting to go to the local Fenton's Creamery. Maybe for my birthday in January...

Brevin and Lindie chose things for her from the dollar store. You would've though the purse and jewelry, slippers and skirt were silk from China the way she pranced around in them tonight.

Overall, a wonderful, wonderful day for a remarkable daughter.

So much different from Lindie's birthday...where everyone had the stomach flu and we had friends deliver their presents by our 15 foot wall of windows in our living room and leave with a goody bag. Lindie and Michaela waved to them through the window like they were bubble girls. Sad, sad, sad. Six years old and as sweet and spirited as ever. What a fun combination!!

I love my girls.

Alamo Eagles

Today Brevin was honored for being the Citizen of the Month. His teacher sent me an email to let me know when to head on down to the assembly this afternoon. I have never been to an Alamo Eagles assembly before. Woa! Talk about School Spirit.

First of all, the entire primary grades stand and say the Pledge of Allegiance, followed by 'This Land is Your Land'. This NEVER would've happened at our ultra liberal school in Davis. When we first moved to Vacaville, Brevin didn't even know what the Pledge of Allegiance was because he never had to say it in school. Sad, sad, sad. Well, he's making up for it now.

Then they have the student council members give the announcements. One boy in the student council is a friend of ours. Brevin looks up to him so much. So nice to have great role models.

Then they announced all of the Student of the Week students. Two from each class, each week! Wow! Then they announced the Student of the Month. One from each class, and a lunch with the Principal! Then they announced how many students had perfect attendance for the month. All of those students are then put into a drawing for a $10 escrip card of their choice in the office. One student from each grade is chosen. Finally, they put all of the names of perfect attendance back in the pot for the winner of an ipod! I don't even have an ipod yet!!! A first grader won! The whole primary student body cheered and clapped and gave each student who received any award a high five as they made it to the front of the MPR.

I love this school. It was also nice to win a basket at the annual Fall Festival! Alamo---EAGLES!!!

FHE Princess Style

Last night for FHE, my girls were still in Princess character. Michaela was Sleeping Beauty and insisted on standing in front of our fireplace to be next to her prince, Prince Phillaah, (not Prince Phillip, Prince Phillaaah). Lindie was laying on some blankets on the couch moving her "fins" around, as Ariel should.

For Show and Tell, Michaela, aka Sleeping Beauty, and Lindie, aka Ariel, danced to some princess music. Sleeping Beauty was dancing with her "Grammie Blankie" (the red cowgirl up blankie) and putting it around her head like a veil. Every once in awhile she would look to the side and wave to her Prince Phillah.

Ariel was twisting and turning on the floor, putting her mouth in a circle to blow bubbles and sing, while dramatically reinacting a swim scene in her mind of how Ariel would swim.

Randy and I looked at each other and tried SO HARD to keep a straight face and give our girls the praise they needed. Later that night, we were able to giggle and laugh outloud.

For Brevin's Show and Tell, he told us about how awesome he is in kickball during recess at school. (Which he is, I have seen him and I am totally unbiased). He now wants a tetherball for Christmas--I am trying not to see Napoleon Dynamite images of playing tetherball in my head. My sister, Celeste, had a tetherball and I thought she was the coolest sister around. We'll see what Santa brings....

Election Day from a 2 year old

As I was walking toward City Hall to vote this morning with the girls, 2 year old Michaela asked me some questions.

"Hey, mom. Where is all of the water?"

"The water? The water for what?"

"For the BOATS! You said we're coming here to go on a BOAT!"

Boat, Vote, what's the difference?

This election has seemed like one long boat ride. I am so thankful I did my all. Whatever will be will be.

Stake Conference

I was asked about three weeks ago to speak in the evening session of our Stake Conference. Needless to say, I felt extremely inadequate. I have only lived in this stake/town for 4 months. What could I possibly say that could contribute to the topic "Standing in Holy Places?" There are so many other highly capable people in our stake to speak--why me?

I tried to tell myself while I researched the topic, "Whom the Lord call, the Lord qualifies." It didn't help. My face still broke out and I have no finger nails left.

Saturday was Stake Conference. Randy was singing in the choir behind me, I was sitting next to two other people who were also asked to speak, none of whom I knew. I looked out at a congregation of people and I could only recognize 10 faces. I felt extremely intimidated and felt grateful for the blessing Randy gave me before the meeting. I also felt grateful for Auntie Carol and Uncle Jerry who were spoiling my kids by taking them birthday shopping so Randy and I could be together--kind of.

I wish I could tell you what I said. I had five talks prepared and, finally chose the shortest, sweetest talk with the most personal experiences and with only a handful of scriptures. I felt the Spirit and knew that I wasn't talking. Complete strangers came up and congratulated me--well, that's not saying very much since most of them were strangers to me. Still nice of them to take the time to put my mind at ease. They felt the Spirit. For that I am thankful.

When my talk was over, I had the pleasure of listening to our Stake President give a powerful talk. So thankful for our stake presidency. He personally thanked each of the speakers before him saying that they prayed about which topics they should select and who should present them. I hope I didn't let him down.

Afterwards, our sweet hometeachers invited us to join up with other young couples in the stake and meet at Fenton's Creamery. The evening definately ended on a high note! Good food and great friends!

Whew. Only the Fall Festival at the kids school, babysitting for friends and holding up a Prop 8 sign at a prominent crossroad in town to go this week. Whew.

I was wondering what to wear today....

Randy and I haven't had this hard of a laugh in a long time. Should I wear the pizza or the ketchup bottle? Come on Pierre, has your fashion sense left you?

http://news.search.yahoo.com/search/news;_ylt=A9j8eu1vTOpI2hIBxyTRtDMD;_ylu=X3oDMTBhNjRqazhxBHNlYwNzZWFyY2g-?p=pierre+cardin&c=images&ei=UTF-8&datesort=1&fr=&x=wrt

Missing Chile

Watch this. Is the glass half empty or half full? You decide.

http://www.adnstream.tv/video/nilSqaMboM/HISTORIA-DE-UN-LETRERO-THE-STORY-OF-A-SIGN

Brevin's 8th birthday was on Sunday. In following tradition, we tell him about the day he was born.

It was a Thursday, and he was scheduled to be induced at the exact time he was born on his own. What a kind and considerate baby. The Summer Olympics in Australia were on in our hospital room. For some reason, to this day, I feel like I should be nursing a baby whenever the Olympics are on. I remember Grammie was there with Randy (behind me so he couldn't see anything, which was a good thing since he almost passed out from that view), they were both such a great support to me.

I remember putting Brevin on my chest the minute he was born. I cried tears of joy and said, "Oh, isn't he so handsome!" I knew he was my Brevin boy. I loved his dark blonde hair and his Kermit the Frog legs (some things don't change) and what an easy baby he was. He was my angel baby. Ate, diaper change, play, sleep.

I remember holding him and thinking "This is an obedient Spirit". He is an obedient child and a great older brother for his two younger sisters.

To celebrate his birthday, he went flying in an airplane! As I saw him take off with the pilot and the other two kids, I thought--"He's really flying. Let him fly. He's ready." And he really is ready to be more independent, accountable, a boy.

For his birthday, he wanted a Transformer Party. New friends and old friends were there. From his family, he enjoyed getting his own Cub Scout Uniform, own set of scriptures, and a scripture case from Ghana and an elephant carved from Ghana. Thanks Mom and Dad. He is really growing up.

His baptism will be October 11th. How did 8 years go by so quickly?

New Home

We successfully moved into our new home in Vacaville. Things I love about being in this home.

A backyard! The first morning, Michaela woke up and said, "Can I go and play at the park?" And we all looked at each other and said, "Park? What Park?" She stood up and pointed to our backyard! Yes--go play at the park everyday, anytime you want!

A garage! I love lifting the garage door and putting our van, Jason, inside safe and sound. It also makes coming in and out of the car, unloading groceries, and everything else so much easier.

Hardwood floors. I think I remember saying after living in on-campus housing for years with linoleum squares, that I would never want to have a hardwood floor because they are such trouble to stay clean. Ha! I LOVE how it shines after I clean the floors.

Awesome bathrooms. I love cleaning these bathrooms. They have been remodeled, as well as the kitchen, and are a pleasure to be in--5 minutes peace feels like an eternity of luxury.

The kitchen. I feel inspired to cook something new and tasty when I enter the kitchen.

Watching the kids run outside in the sprinklers every night at 7pm to defeat "The Gremloch". They go in their clothes, swimsuits, whatever they have on and fight "The Gremloch" with the tunnel shield they call Anaxa that they say is a dragon--the only thing that can defend "The Gremloch."

Everything. Living close to EVERYTHING. Winco, Costco, Grocery Outlet, THE Outlets, church, school, parks, etc.

Having Randy home for dinner everynight!

Who knew Vacaville?