Moab, and particularly Arches National Park was a giant playground with an endless supply of rocks to climb, lizards to find, and sticks to collect for my two youngsters.
Charlie was in a backpack during most of the hikes, but Emerson tugged along on his own two legs, with the exception of a few rides he bummed off of the shoulders of his uncle. We did hear how he was "out of batteries" a few times from his mouth.
The little brothers couldn't get enough climbing and exploring.
He struck a few poses like this for me to capture.
I felt like a schoolgirl on a field trip again in Lin Ottinger's rock and fossil shop. It makes one suddenly have the desire to start a rock collection right then and there.
Hey Charlie and Emerson, do you remember the time when you were little and we hiked up to Delicate Arch for you both to throw tantrums about not being able to run and climb on the edge of the cliff? Too bad I had to tell Grandma, "Just take the picture so we can get out of here." Good times.
Upset with me for not being able to run free on the cliff.
Emerson’s birthday not only marks the fourth year of his life, but the number of years that I have been a mother. Amazing. I can’t believe I’ve been at this for four years already, and yet, I can’t remember what life was like before I lived everyday for a child or children as Charlie made two. I don’t know if it is normal, but every one of the kids’ birthdays makes for a nostalgic, overly emotional, and sentimental day for me. I begin birthday eve by looking at pictures such as this:
and these:
and then try to recollect every detail of their births. The poor children will now have to listen to me recount the entire labor and delivery event every birthday from now on. I’m sure they will grow weary of hearing the story, but I appreciated Emerson’s captivated ears this year.
Will I grow out of this? Will I try to hang on to every piece of their childhood like they are going to transform into stinky, whiny, self-absorbed teenagers overnight? What will happen when it’s time for them to go to college? Will I have the same attachment that will give me the desire to sneak into their dorm rooms for one last kiss before I retire for the night or want to hug them tightly with my face pressed against theirs? What happens when I can’t kiss them whenever I want, tickle their arms, or pick them up for a squeeze?
Do older mothers remember the physical closeness they had with their young children and do they miss it? When I became a mother the biggest surprise to me was the complete craving I aquired for my little one affecting all senses. Does the craving for their touch, their kiss, their little voice, and even their smell go away?
You see? Overly emotional and sentimental. My poor children. Happy fourth birthday, Emerson.
Sometimes I want to be the fun mom who lets her hair down, uses silly voices, and gives the kids dad-type fun. You know, dad-fun: break the rules, don't worry about a mess or let furniture get in the way, and leave blankets and crumbs all over fun. I have to compete with a dad who regularly overflows the jetted tub with bubbles for the kids and gives evening go-kart rides.
Tonight the kids and I decided to prep for bedtime outside where we could play "knights camping in the woods" per Emerson's request. I'm not the fire expert in the family, nor do I ever cook in the outdoors, so when the kids and I are on our own in the evening and want to do something crazy like cook and eat dessert outside I have to thank this little Stove In A Can. The knight, the princess, and the king all enjoyed a warm and tasty apple berry cobbler while reading bedtime stories.
I have to say I'm very glad I was given this little can to bulk up my pathetic little supply of emergency preparedness. The few cans, wheat, and dehydrated soups I have will not cook themselves. The idea is simple yet brilliant, compacting fuel cells, waterproof matches, and a heat coil all in a lightweight little can that can fit in the car, on a shelf, or even in a backpack. The can cooked our dutch oven cobbler in less than an hour and burned on for at least another hour or two.
The can was as simple to cook on as the stove but has the added benefit of providing the user with such confidence-building qualities as adventurous, courageous, and in the case of our game tonight, chivalrous.
Maybe it's because it's Easter or because everyone is napping and the sun is shining bright, but I am feeling so positive about my family's experience at church this Easter Sunday. Yes, it was my toddler up front during the Sacrament meeting standing under the speaker with his shirt halfway off trying to fit his entire fist in his mouth, but not even his attention-deficiency during the service frustrated me today. I regret not making the time or effort to prepare anything worth-while for our family Easter celebrations this year, from either the spiritual or secular realm. As we all walked home from church talking about our individual classes we attended the third hour I realized we had all been as spiritually well fed as if we had attended Easter Sunday brunch at the Grand America. We all went home to physically feast on whatever leftover offerings the fridge held for us for lunch, but our spiritual needs have been met today.
I doubt I would find another organization in the world that would offer my entire family a place every week with such spiritual training and inspiration catered to our individual roles, ages, and needs. My children sing, create artwork, socialize, and get to know loving teachers who sincerely care for them. My husband gathers with other men for lessons and gospel discussions. I get to know women and teenage girls I normally wouldn't run into through life's average routine, and get uplifted by the lessons and teachings of others who do it all in the name of our Savior Jesus Christ. My Easter means more to me today after a couple shared their knowledge and insight on Jewish tradition and their experience in the Holy Land. I realized that while it is difficult to balance every aspect in a family including educating, feeding, housekeeping, sporting, and every other ing, I have the serving and spiritual teaching made easy for me with a house of the Lord right in my neighborhood. We are all given the opportunity to serve others in one capacity or another. Living the gospel we are challenged, strengthened, stretched, and edified, and all it took today was showing up.
Is there a way I can live half of my life in the country and the other half in the city? I love so many aspects of both lifestyles and crave experiences from both. I recently visited one of my best friends living in Manhattan. If it weren't for the great distance and this whole mothering-wifey gig I got going right now I would be in New York City every weekend. What a great week it was with a visit to the The Antiques Garage, the historic library, mouth-watering bakeries, mastering stroller transport through the subway, Central Park, The Martha Stewart Show, a night out with the girls, and plenty of great conversation and laughter.
Balto in Central Park
A very chilly day, but it didn't stop us.
Ten years ago I hopped across three continents, navigated through five airports, traveled over 24 hours of flight, and took a terrifying yet fascinating drive over several miles of red clay to my new summer home in a little room with thin foam mattresses and mosquito nets, and these two as my roomies:
We also shared the room with a rat, several lizards, and spiders. Naming them helped us cope with the fact that they were there.
Here we are ten years ago. I just had to. Far left: London (couldn't be more obvious) Kristi at the top with Rachel and Hailey far right below me. Top right: One of our field trips in Uganda. Bottom right: In front of our church building in Mukono, Uganda with our host sister Nicole.
You girls are alright.
I was interviewed for the show, The Chew. I never saw my clip or any other clips of people talking about pie, so I think they either cut the entire segment or I watched the wrong day. If you ever see me on that show let me know!
This was the one day I said, "Eh, I don't need to do my hair."
Sam and Charlie. I hope they work together in New York some day so I can show this picture.
Gracie, Sam, Charlie, and Lucy braving the chilly wind for a picture in Riverside Park.
Visiting our friend Stacy
Charlie hadn't heard of Seinfeld so he didn't get any of my references.
It's never too early to start college tours with your children. Columbia University has a beautiful campus.
My original life's plan included living as newlyweds in a studio apartment in the middle of Manhattan. How long can we be considered newlyweds?
DIYers adventuring through a new life as parents, always planning the next escape to see the world, thinking about the next home project, and trying to increase in creativity, theology, and gastronomy.
