Yes, we are

My least favorite question about a move:

"Are you packing yet?"

"Yes, we are."


N's company is paying for the majority of our move. To lower the price some, we are doing most of the packing.
I can't remember laughing as hard in one day as I did today while we sorted, discarded, and packed. Stress increases humor? or is it proximity to my husband?

How many?
the estimate weight for our household =9950 lbs.
Box #15 was just taped shut
# of canning jars packed on Saturday = 105

ugh

Playing with our food

Don't knock it until you've tried it!
Here are the participants in Friday night's food presentation contest.
Taco salad night is always a hit at our house. I love the colors. And flavors.
My kids like it because they are in charge of what goes on their plate, and how it is organized.
Can you tell from the photo above that eating "mixed" foods is an acquired skill? Someone isn't quite ready for that yet.

p.s. One participant wanted me to photograph a plate with only lettuce on it. I didn't.
And, I've always loved playing with my food. I encourage it at my table (within reason). Broccoli stalks as trees . . . . . .

Mission accomplished

We found a lovely place to rent in CO.

It is approaching quickly, we have only three Sundays left after today!

It reminds me of the "Glen" in Glenview, though I don't think it's quite as expensive (for my Chicago readers). High density living with common parks, workout room, and party room if you want to rent it. Bring your rollerblades when you plan to visit. Our house is tucked away--no houses on the other side of the street. Three children are registered for school. We will be 3 stoplights from the freeway . . . which Nathan will be using. The plan is to stay for a year or two as we save for a house, and then buy close to this one. It costs slightly less than what we were paying in Chicago, but 40% more than here. The city we are moving to is very environmentally "green," cyclist friendly, and growing. It is going to be great. Several times on our trip I used the words "almost too good to be true" to describe my feelings about living there.

Name this horse . . .

I am house hunting . . . in the meantime this newborn horse needs a name . . . this is the easiest way for my children to see a photo of it . . . more next week . . . . maybe?

Nurture

At the baby shower for my 4th, my friend asked those who attended to embroider a heart, which she made into a lovely quilt. One friend made this:

I love this beautiful reminder of her friendship, encouraging me to be a better nurturer. Her willingness and capacity to put in the time to make it lovely are a message in themselves.

“Never forget that these little ones are the sons and daughters of God and that yours is a custodial relationship to them, that He was a parent before you were parents and that He has not relinquished His parental rights or interest in these His little ones. … Rear your children in love, in the nurture and admonition of the Lord. Take care of your little ones. Welcome them into your homes, and nurture and love them with all of your hearts."
President Gordon B. Hinckley

True power is found in the hands of a worthy nurturer, especially at mealtimes. 
(If you want to read more of this message, click here: Sister Julie B. Beck)

Happy Mother's Day to my mom and mothers everywhere!

At home date night

Check out this video, together:

BYU Guitars Unplugged 2010

Laugh, dance, sing along, fast forward, and enjoy, all from the comfort of home.

We recommend "Derk Olthof" and he starts at 52 minutes. Love his vocabulary and his guitar skills. Would love to see that song written down. (Please comment if you watch it).

Wish I had a picture.

Holding on and letting go

This little pony has been in our family for over 8 years. Sadly, he's broken and will not be making the trek north with us. The longest walk I made this week was out front to the garbage can to put him in. I miss the little boy who rode this horse. But I love the 9 year old who has replaced that little boy one day at a time. And thankfully, there is another little boy who's found a place in my heart.

Mother of five at the library

"You have a beautiful family," she told me as she approached me in the parking lot. All the children were in the car and I struggled alone to collapse the stroller.
"They almost make me cry," she continued.
As I looked into her face, I saw tears in her eyes.
"My children make you cry?" I asked, wanting to confirm what she said, and thinking to myself "My children make ME cry!"
"I have five children . . . the youngest went to UT this fall, and I miss him," she stammered. I could tell by her voice that if she went on much longer, she would really start crying. I saved her from breaking down by making small talk . . . . but now I wish I would have listened longer.
I was a glimpse of her past.

My eyes followed her quiet walk to her car, grab a couple of books, and go back in the library, alone with her memories of treks to the library with children in tow.
She was a vision of my future.

(Notes: "UT" is pronounced "YOU-TEE" and it means University of Texas,
and the sculpture is outside at our library).