April Look, It's The Babies Room!

We hung up the curtains yesterday {thank you kind mother} which was the finishing touch on our tiny babies room. We really like it - cancel that - we love it. We still need a few more things like a changing pad ect. But, we're getting really close to being as prepared as we can be. It's still hard to imagine our little guy actually in this room. No matter how long I sit and contemplate the fact that this is HIS room it still doesn't seem totally real.

I haven't decided if I should recover the rocking chair. Your thoughts...? Babies sock monkey is hiding in his crib. He's waiting for the arrival of his new BFF.

Tyler and I designed this print for the baby. It's in the frame above his dresser.

It's lyrics from Dear Prudence, by the Beatles.

Bird prints.

My nice mom made the babies quilt out of this fun fabric I found {it was a duvet from urban outfitters}. She did a A+ job. We have a few pillows in the same fabric as well. Also the changing pad will be covered in this fabric. They are at grandmas getting buttons though. I'm sure this is information you were all just dying to know....sorry if it's boring but it's the fun that's happening around here lately....plus I really want my sister to see it. Don't worry, we have lots of storage. There is a giant closet and loads of drawers on the non-photographed wall.

Conclusion: Giggling with my mom over tiny tiny tiny shoes, pants, and shirts is so much fun.

Faces In Places

Some people know I am addicted to faces in places. I get so weird and giddy when I get a picture text from a good friend that turns out to be a face in a place. Miss (soon to be mrs.) Lindsey sent me this commercial a while back and it's just perfect. Also, check out this blog, it's a great time waster.

Conclusion: Start seeing faces in places, I promise it'll brighten your day.

Unemployed & Halloween

It's amazing the things that can make me feel like I've had a productive day...now that I'm unemployed. For instance, today I went for a walk with two nice friends in the beautiful weather. I'm pretty sure if I did nothing else I would feel like my day was productive. Don't worry though, I plan to mop the floor AND we have birthing class tonight. I'll probably even check the mail. Woah, today is packed {wink}! Whelp, I'm off to think about organizing the closet in the babies room.

Conclusion: Bask in the relaxation some days offer.

p.s. I never posted about our halloween costumes. Tyler is obviously Capin' Hook and I'm his first mate Smee! {it took a bit to figure out someone I could be who has a big belly, but we did it} Steph's halloween party was the best I've been to.

Day Light Savings Time Mixes Things Up

Lisa: It's only 6:30.

Tyler: I know if feels so much later than that.

Lisa: What are we doing to do with ourselves?

Tyler: Don't know.

Lisa: We should take up a hobby or something.

Tyler: Both of us? The same hobby?

Lisa: Yes.

Tyler: Okay, I like archery.

Conclusion: I like him and his always positive attitude.

Somtimes When I Should Be Productive,

I instead put things on my belly to see if the baby will kick them off.

Conclusion: This is my last week of work and I fully plan on filling the next 8 weeks with activities like the one above.

I Kept My Eyes On The Mountains This Morning...

...because the snow was slowly making it's way down the beautiful mountain to the valley floor. It arrived a few minutes ago. There is no turning back for Mr. Winter now. It's time to pull out my boots, mittens, and stocking caps. I hope the baby doesn't mind being brought into a freezing cold world...at least it will be a pretty white world for him. I think he'll like that.

Conclusion: My office, luckily, stocks Stevens hot chocolate. Time to cook some up!

I Should Figure Out Cool Things To Make Like This, Then Stand In Them.

'The surface of the One Day Poem Pavilion allows light to pass through, creating shifting patterns. During specific times of the year, these transform into the legible text of a poem.'

Design: Jiyeon Song, Art Center College of Design

Conclusion: How cool is that?

Lunch and Prejudice

This is a photo from my lunch on March 4, 2008. I wasn't eating heels back then.

Today I made my PPJ sandwich with the heel of the bread. I usually never do that, but today I did. Guess what, it tasted just as good as a middle slice of bread. Who knew? All these years I've been prejudice against the heel without a good reason. My apologies bread.

Conclusion: It's never to late to to say sorry, even if it's just to the bread.

Thursday in October

I have very supportive friends and family. I'm really grateful for each of them. I am also grateful for the sunshine that was fighting through the clouds and falling to the mountains this morning, it was beautiful. I viewed it as a tiny gift from heaven.

Conclusion: This will be a nice day.

Bottles Galore

Last night I stood in front of a gigantic wall of tiny finger nail clippers. I had no idea miniature nail clippers came in such a variety. There was even a pair with a tiny magnifying glass attached. I was a bit overwhelmed as I gazed into a sea of pinks and blues, holding the scanner at my side. I turned around, thinking I would pick something easy first then move on to the detailed things. But as my view fell upon the wall behind me I discovered millions of baby shampoo, soap, and bubble bath. Again, overwhelmed. We probably shouldn't have gone to the bottle section next but they were just around the corner. I had no idea so many brands of pacifiers existed, let alone bottles. I felt like tossing a few packages of diapers on the ground, unwrapping one of the hundreds of fuzzy pastel blankets, and taking a nap.

Preparing for a baby is like nothing I've ever done before. Though registering was overwhelming, we made the best of it and enjoyed ourselves {Tyler is number one in my book of champions}. I am still somewhat shocked when I see the size of some things, like socks the size of my little finger, hats that would fit a snugly on a grapefruit, or onesies that would fit a small doll perfectly. I know it should have all probably sunk in by now, that we'll soon be holding our tiny little guy, but sometimes it just baffles me that it's real. Really real.

Conclusion: Every now and then when reality sinks, in my eyes tend to go abnormally wide. Yet, my heart is always flooded with such joy and I find myself whispering promises to our boy that we do and will always love him fiercely.

Zion's, In Pants

We spent the weekend at Zion's National Park with our reliable and spontaneous Fords. It was beautiful. It was calm. It was the first time I've worn pants since being pregnant. It was choice weather for hiking aka walking. It was snacks and laughter. It was a perfect tiny vacation.

Conclusion: "My profession is always to be alert, to find God in nature, to know God's lurking places, to attend all the oratorios and operas in nature." - Henry David Thoreau

p.s. Thank you Apey for being so accommodating on such short notice, we are grateful for you and your sweet family.

How Could These Not Make You Happy?

Conclusion: These are a few photos I took of my tiny nephew Joseph. He can make a gray sky blue within seconds. I wish you could know him so you could fully understand.

p.s. Click on the photos to get a large view. Enjoy

Like I Said, My Brother Is Rad

My family likes to play games. Last weekend it was hide-n-go-seek. It was intense, adults and children running all over the place. People dashing, jumping, and rolling onto the couch, which was base. And don't think the gang went easy on me because I'm pregnant, I got chased just as fast as everyone else. I was rather impressed with everyone's genius hiding places and jealous I couldn't squeeze into some of them.

Once, I hid behind the sink next to my mom as she was doing the dishes. I was impressed with how cool she acted, not giving me away. Both of my parents did a fantastic job of stuffing people in places or casually mentioning when it was safe to crawl out. I felt like a child again. I remembered when my dad would shove us onto the top shelf in the hall closet. We always knew someone would be hiding there, but it didn't make it any less exciting. We weren't allowed to climb the shelves {though we did climb the walls} so being able be swooped up and carefully shoved into forbidden place was a great adventure {as was getting down}.

Conclusion: When fond memories of my childhood come to mind, I become so excited that Tyler and I will have the opportunity to create equally happy memories with our little tiny. What adventures we'll have!

The above photo is of my awesome brother, Jeff. He's in a kitchen cupboard. Tyler was the seeker during this round and when he went downstairs to find the hiders I went to the cupboard and told Jeff it was safe to make his dash to base. He replied "no, I'm staying I want him to find me". He stayed in that tiny cupboard for the next 10-15 minutes. He made us all very proud.

And There Was WIND!

This is what it looks like when there is no wind. That's my rad brother and Tface, of course.

Normally, when the time comes around for our biannual kite flying fiesta there is less than ample amounts of wind. BUT this weekend I learned what you need when the wind is showing off it's mighty power:
1. A ladder to climb on the roof to snatch a stuck kite.
2. A brave dad or brother to snatch stray kites, multiple times from the roof.
3. An even taller ladder to get a stray kite out of the neighbors tree.
4. If you don't have a taller ladder, like us, you will need many skills to get the stuck kite down....or you must be willing to part with it's tail, thus leaving it in the tree as a constant reminder of fun times {sorry neighbors}.
5. A car to be used as an anchor {just in case it comes loose} so you can try to free another stuck kite.
6. Lots of heavy duty tape/safety pins to fix repairs.
7. Extra material for weighting down kite tails.
8. Quick feet that are able to quickly untangle soaring kite lines.
9. Mittens, if your event takes place in October and to avoid string burn.
10. Lots of extra string.
11. A champion hero of a husband who is able to dislodge the stuckest of kites.

Conclusion: At one point during the crazy fun I was distracted from watching my kite because I was so happy to see my family and friends running wildly around, staring at the sky, and joyfully laughing. I reaped the consequences of this and my trusty kite became lodged in a tree pretty securely. May his tail forever rest in peace.
p.s. I'm well aware I made a few words up in this post, it seemed fitting.

On The Wall

Tyler and I went to one of his professors homes for dinner and enjoyment last night {he has had the ideal college experience, I believe}. On their wall was a beautiful black and white photo of a tranquil forest. Below the photo was a scripture I had never before come across:

"...stand still, and consider the wondrous works of God."
Job 37:14

When I find something I really love I always seem to reach out and run my fingers across it. Perhaps in hopes that it will soak in a bit more, thus helping me remember the moment longer {this can be a bit awkward when I am in museums}.

Conclusion: I hope you have a lovely weekend and get a chance to stand still for a moment.
p.s. the photo is totally unrelated. It's just one of my favorite's of Tyler.

One Could Say, I Like Art

Reminds me of Tyler, for hand in hand we go.

Reminds me of childhood, I'll tell you why later.

Reminds me of Tara, I think she would love this saying.

Reminds me of Stephy.
She would probably do this with me if I ever suggested it :)

Reminds me of Miss Meliss, for obvious reasons.

I really really really really enjoy the work of Freya Art & Design. It's so happy and fresh.

Conclusion: I love pretty things that also have the ability to make me ponder.
p.s. I held up traffic this morning, but the mountains were so beautiful. Fresh snow covers the tops and vibrant fall colors were glowing below. The sun was shinning on them perfectly through the thick clouds. I was stunned by them, thus my top speed of 35 mph. I opened all the blinds when I got to work.

Last Night

Me: Where are you going?
Tface: Over here to hide and scare you.
Me: Don't you know the rules? Don't scare the girls. {I grew up with one brother, thus the rule}
Tface: That was the rule in YOUR family. Not ours.

...the bedroom light clicks off. Tyler is silent. I walk into the bedroom, turn on the light, and see a rather large lump under the covers...wonder who that could be? I giggle then walk out. The light clicks off. I walk in again. I flick the light on. Tyler is doing his best to hid behind the bedpost. I smile and walk out. The light cuts out again. As I turn to walk into our room all I see is a head in the darkness sticking around the edge of the door. My eyes go wide with surprise.

Tface: Did I scare you a little that time?!
Me: Actually, you did a little.
Tface: Haha! I win. {Tyler jumps into bed beaming with confidence}

Conclusion: We may have to make a new rule in our house, 'don't scare the mom'. I'm nervous baby and dad will enjoy it far to much. Also, I really enjoy my husband. If you don't know him you should. He's nice to everyone, I bet he'd be your friend. He makes everything happier.
{I was thinking about these posts may seem silly, unrelated, or insignificant to some. But, these are the things that make me happy. These are the things I want to remember. This is the place I write them to remember. After all, my intention was to create a happy thought blog. I hope that's okay with all of those who read my blog. You know, my mom and that other person :) }

Motivation To Wear Pants And Other Realizations

Playing with the camera on Main.

I've recently discovered that our living room curtains are somewhat see through. I wonder how the neighbors feel about all of our dancing.

It costs 98 cents to mail a letter to Nicaragua and they sell stamps that ARE 98 cents.

I can never seem to spell Nicaragua right. {today's spelling brought to you by, spell check}

I don't try and remember streets or directions anymore because I know Tyler will know how to get to where I need to go.

One does not become a 'bread maker' just because a single batch of bread turns out well. It is an on going process. A skill that is learned over time. I'm still working on it.

My parents are really cool/nice/generous people. {okay, this isn't really a recent realization, more like it was reaffirmed again this week}

My husband is a real joy. {again, not a realization but reaffirmed}

Sharing this blog with Anne really makes me happy. {cross your fingers we'll keep it up for longer than a week this time}

We've been saying "waste not, want not" a lot lately. I'm not sure I totally understand the meaning of the phrase.

That's all for this week.

Conclusion: It's Friday {yes yes yes!!} and my weekend is packed with things to do and learn.
p.s. If anyone has David Sedaris tickets they want to get off their hands, I'll happily take them.

As I Was Whistling J Walked By My Desk

Me: Are you trying to outdo my whistling?
J: Me? Oh no. I'm just whistling too.
J: If you have a song in your heart, you should share it.
J smiles and continues to walk by and laughter automatically bubbles out of me.

Note: Keep in mind that J is probably 6'8, shaved head, was once a cage fighter, played for Utah's semi-pro football team, and his biceps are as big around as my pregnant belly. . . it's safe to say he's a pretty big tough looking guy. Yet, inside this giant human is a heart and in that heart there are songs that want to be sung out, isn't that great?

Conclusion: If you have a song in your heart - share it {even if you are big intimidating looking person}.

Every Year, About This Time

For the past few mornings as I walk out to my car I stop for a moment and breath deeply. The air has a faint smell of change in it, it's the new crisp smell of fall. Every year when the season changes to autumn the same quote always comes to mind. I've never read anything else that explains so beautifully the change from summer to fall:

"She said the autumn never failed to amaze her; to elate. 'it is glory' she said 'and can't be remembered, so that it always comes as a surprise". Travels with Charlie, John Steinbeck

Tyler and I hiked to Stewart Falls tonight. {those of you who know me best know I am not a hiker, but the promise of beautiful scenery was a powerful persuasive}

{this fern's for you, mom}

It was lovely, beautiful, and peaceful. Not only did we see nature at it's finest but we also saw, two squirrels, one blue jay, one grouse, heard two elk, and saw one medium sized skunk {neither of us had actually seen a live one before, it was neat}.

Now it's time to snuggle into bed, pray with gratitude for God's beautiful world, and listen as the sound of crickets ease us into sleep.

Conclusion: This was a very fine way to start our week.