Stalker Mom

I saw this as someone's Facebook post and really liked it.
PROMISE TO MY CHILDREN: I will stalk you, freak out on you, lecture you, drive you crazy, be your worst nightmare, embarrass you in front of your friends, and hunt you down like a bloodhound until the day you understand why I do it. Then I will know you are a responsible adult. It's all because I love you! You will never find someone who loves & cares about you more than your Mom! :)

Pioneer Day Fun

Here in Utah, Pioneer Day (July 24th) is a big deal.  I haven't really been "into" it before, but after all the fun we had over the 4th of July weekend, I thought we should give it an honest-to-goodness try.   I have come to appreciate the fact that children need to be taught gratitude more now than in years past.  One thing I firmly believe in is that if you appreciate the past, you will be even more grateful for what you have today.  And that is the basis for our historical celebrations this year.

Today I am thinking of the pioneer women and appreciating the pregnant ones.  If I had been a pioneer, I would not have been able to carry my babies to term.  I am in awe of their hardships and sacrifices and grateful for modern medicine.

1. We got up, got ready, and went over to a family breakfast at the Jensen's about 9:30.  Thanks Jensens!  They had pancakes, eggs, sausage, scones with honey butter, fruit, and much more.  They are really awesome.  Thanks for inviting us over!!!

Here is our little pioneer daughter.  I did not make the bonnet, but I did make the skirt!

2. We went over to North Park where there is a Pioneer village.  There were also about a million Pioneer games and crafts.  I am very, very impressed with how well-done everything was.  Provo really knows how to put an event together, even a free one!

 Luz got to ride a live pony carousel.  Fun!

We met up with cousins Victoria and Julianna.  Here are the Pioneer girls in front of the quilt display.

The 3 of us.

Luz and Papa playing a game.

3. We left a little before 2:00 and came home for a nap.

4. Benjamin, Tami & fam came over about 4:30 to play in the water!

 Juan and Luz playing in our newly acquired bigger pool.

5. And then we had a carne asada and played inside for a bit.

6. Later that night, Uncle Sal and Uncle Samuel came into town en route from Rexburg to Burbank.  We had a nice visit.

A Sad Day

You know how some experiences that other people have make you think about your own life?  Today that happened to me.  I got a call this morning from my sister-in-law, who told me that her sister's baby had passed away and she was going to have to deliver her at 18 1/2 weeks.  I got off the phone in tears.  During the entire day I just thought of her and how sad I am for her.  I wish no one had to go through that.  Losing a baby is one of the hardest things I have ever had to do and I don't think there are many other experiences that feel quite like it.

Tonight I needed a good cry, so Juan and I watched Love Takes Wing (#7 from this series on DVD) and ate Mexican sweet bread.  It was nice to spend a few moments together and get out some tears.

By the way, I absolutely love this series and highly recommend it!  Every movie makes me cry, but sometimes that's a good thing.

Sewing Project #3 - pillowcase

In preparation for my next project, Tami suggested I make a pillowcase...without a pattern.  I managed to figure it out mostly on my own (which was the point of the exercise).  I chose this adorable fabric for Luz because she sings "Twinkle, twinkle little star," every night as she is putting herself to sleep.  I have plans to make a coordinating one in blue. 

Book Review: At the Water's Edge by Annette Lyon (LDS Fiction)

My Rating: A heart-warming, not-so-predictable novel.

Appropriate for: Young adults, Adults
From the back cover: At the Water's Edge is the story of a young woman who desperately wants to put her past behind her, and through the power of prayer finds the strength to move forward.  I enjoyed this book because of the emotions involved.  It was very compelling to read and I couldn't put it down.  Annette Lyon is one of my new favorite authors!

Panty Post #8

One week since the fun began.  I will no longer be posting daily about potty-training.  Only the really eventful moments will show up now.  

Today we (Luz, Tio Matthew, Tia Stephanie, and I) had a few things to do.  As it turns out, I think Luz checked out the bathrooms in each and every place.  The Quilted Bear, JoAnn's, and Old Navy.  Old Navy was very frustrating so I'll write about that one.  Luz turns to me amidst looking at clothes and says that she has to go.  I grab her hand and run to the bathroom, which is occupied.  Well, the lady took a little too long and sadly, Luz didn't quite hold it long enough.  Then the auto-flush toilet in Old Navy really ticked me off! There Luz was just sitting there trying to go to the bathroom and it kept flushing, scaring her half to death. Then when I wanted it to flush...nothing!  Tia Stephanie came to the rescue and brought our supplies from the car.  Luz changed panties and everything turned out fine.

29 weeks!

Ok, I'm not exactly sure why I keep posting unflattering pictures of myself.  But I just want you all to know what I look like at 29 weeks.  Yeah, I know, some women are just barely showing about now.

Book Review: Imprints by Rachel Ann Nunes (Fiction) - Part 2 of 2

My Rating: This book will exercise power over you.  You will be unable to put it down!

Appropriate for: Young adults, Adults
Autumn can "see" images that are imprinted on objects.  Her desire to help others leads her to risk her own life in order to find a couple of missing people.  Author Rachel Ann Nunes calls this genre, "Paranormal."  It isn't sci-fi or weird, in fact while reading it seems like something that could really happen.  I enjoyed this book because I couldn't put it down.

Llama Fest!

As I mentioned, Juan, Luz, Tio Matthew, and I went to the Llama Fest at the Hare Krishna Temple in Spanish Fork on Saturday.  Other than extreme heat, it was a very enjoyable afternoon.  We will definitely go back (although maybe a little later in the day when it is cooler)!

Outside, there were plenty of llamas to see and touch, as well as performances on 3 different stages.  Inside, we could go upstairs and see a singing/dancing ritual or go downstairs and enjoy a meal.  Check out the info.

We enjoyed the vegetarian meal and some mango lemonade.

Luz was a bit timid to touch the llamas, although she found a little 3 week old baby llama that she absolutely loved.

Us, in front of some miniature Zebus.

On the way home we stopped by the Hawaiian Shave Ice place in downtown Spanish Fork and enjoyed a cool treat.

Panty Post #7

Church in panties today...went WELL!  I actually had to go to a meeting in another building, so Juan and Luz were off to church together and she was fine.  Once I got over there, I took her out of Nursery to go to the bathroom and talked to her teacher who said that she had told her she had to go once before also.  I was surprised that she had told her teacher and let her take her.  I guess when you gotta go, you gotta go! :)

A Little Bit of Heaven

This week we have been talking about getting a little wading pool for the backyard.  I was hesitant because it seemed like a rip-off to pay $15 for a little plastic thing to put water in.  Last night Juan decided that he was going to surprise Luz.  His plan was to deliver the papers in the morning and then go by and get one, bring it home and fill it with water so that the water would be warm by the time Luz was ready to play.  Well, she spotted the pool while looking out the back window after breakfast.  I told her that Papa had brought it home and that she could change into her maya.  She got all ready and then went to excitedly wake Papa up.  They were so cute playing together for quite a while.  Juan, you're a great dad!!!

Panty Post #6

Luz doesn't even care about treats.  She loves going potty in the toilet.  We went to the Llama Fest in Spanish Fork today in panties!!!  (First time out of the house without a diaper on.)  Upon our arrival we scoped out the bathrooms and found port-a-potties outside.  At first she wanted to check them out.  One step in, however, she decided she was above using them and wanted to wait.  Who can blame the girl?  Thankfully, she really was able to wait.  Later on we found some indoor bathrooms and she made it every single time.  I am a proud mom today!

Panty Post #5

This morning we switched the treat of choice from sugared liquid to a fruit snack.  Not a package, but a single one, in a bowl on the counter.  We magically ran out of juice.  I also decided that we should play upstairs all morning.  Amazingly, Luz has eaten normally again and been her pleasant and happy self.  She is also going to the bathroom much more normally, you know once every 30 to 45 minutes instead of every 2 or 3 minutes.  She recognizes when she needs to go in advance.  We are making LOTS of progress today!

Panty Posts #3 & #4

Yesterday we ran up and down the stairs all day long!  (The bathroom is upstairs.)  Luz is doing great at letting me know that she needs to go.  I feel like we ran a marathon, however, and I started contracting like crazy in the evening.  I laid down for a few hours and they stopped. 

Today I recruited an awesome team to help with potty learning.  Tia, Tio, and Victoria & Julianna were all on board with running up and down so that I didn't have to.  Thanks a million guys!  Luz did great today!

Panty Post #2

Today we went through 6 pair of panties by 6:30pm.  We are all tuckered out!  The good news is that by the end of the day Luz was saying, "Pee pee," before she actually went.  We didn't quite make it to the toilet, but very close.  Her treat of choice: Capri Suns.  She went in the toilet about million times as well. :)

Starting off the day with a clean pair of PINK panties!

Busy with some reading/singing material.

Panty Post #1

Today, Luz and I went shopping for Big Girl Panties.  Tomorrow she will get to start wearing them.  Tia Stephanie also painted her Big Girl toenails pink!

New Recipe: Chocolate Trifle

My Rating: Very yummy!

I woke up this morning thinking about dessert.  (Surprise!)  I had dreamed about several options, but came downstairs to find that we did not have any butter, a key ingredient in several of my dreams.  I discussed the dilemma with Stephanie over breakfast and asked her to please bake a treat for me today.  This is what we came up with.

Recipe:
1 Triple Chocolate Fudge cake, baked
2 packages of Chocolate instant pudding, 3 oz each
Cool Whip
Walnuts, chopped
She baked the cake as directed and then let it cool for a couple of hours.  She then cubed it and layered cake, pudding mixed with walnuts, and Cool Whip in a trifle dish.  On top she spread Cool Whip and sprinkled with cake crumbs.  Enjoy!

Movie Review: Just Wright

My Rating: Cute, Worth seeing

Rated: PG
Yesterday afternoon, Juan and I went on a real date.  Thanks to Tia Stephanie and Tio Matthew we had a few much-needed minutes out of the house.  I think we were gone for a total of 3 hours, including a brief stop at Costco afterwards.

Real date definition: A period of time without any children, at least one hour, that does not involve anything church or work related.  May or may not involve food.  Always involves fun.

We went to Movies 8 (cheap theater in our area) and saw Just Wright with Queen Latifah.  Love her!  We really enjoyed the movie, which amazingly had a very good portrayal of women as the moral of the story.  Be yourself and things will work out!  It will probably be available to rent soon, so be sure to make an evening of it and have your own date night!

Book Review: At the Journey's End by Annette Lyon (LDS Fiction) - Part 2 of 4

My Rating: A fabulous next in the series
Appropriate for: Young adults, Adults
The saga continues with Abe and we get to find out what happens with him.  Again, history, love, faith, struggle, and a temple are intertwined to provide a compelling story.  I enjoyed this book because of all of the above and am anxiously awaiting the next volume in the saga, Spires of Stone.

A great lady: Cheryl Feland

I attended a funeral today and wanted to write a little bit about Cheryl.  Cheryl is married to George, who was my dad's best friend growing up.  I think they met in 3rd grade.  I grew up hearing stories about Dad and George from my dad, grandparents, aunt, and uncle.  Everyone had lots of stories about Dad and George.  When my parents were dating and newly married, they all lived in Provo and my Mom started her own collection of "George stories."  I don't actually recall the first time I met Cheryl, but I remember my parents talking about how perfect she was for George.

Today I learned some things about Cheryl that I didn't know before.  She served as Young Women President for 11 years in a row.  It takes a VERY special lady to do that!  She was very musical.  I already knew that she was an amazing wife, mother, and grandmother.  And that she was a teacher for many years and later became a school administrator.

What I will most remember about Cheryl is how openly she loved people.  During a conversation, she always made me feel like I was the most important person.  Here is her obituary.

Book Review: House on the Hill by Annette Lyon (LDS Fiction) - Part 1 of 4

My Rating: If you pick it up, you won't put it down
Appropriate for: Young adults, Adults
A great mix of history, faith, romance, struggle, and temple-building, this book draws readers in and invites them to live the life of a pioneer young woman trying to find her way.  I enjoyed this book because of all of these elements carefully presented in a very well-written manner.

Book Review: Dangerous Connections by Julie Coulter Bellon (LDS Fiction)

My Rating: Great read!  Suspenseful roller-coaster ride.

Appropriate for: Young adults, Adults
From the back cover: Having just finished a tour of duty in Iraq, Dr. Tyler Winthrop is ready to join his father, Craig, for a little downtime in Paris.  But when Craig disappears, Tyler is yanked back into the brutal realm of danger and the unknown, and his fate quickly becomes entwined with French counterintelligence agent Isabella Floret as he looks for his missing father.  I enjoyed this book because of the thorough character development and the interesting twists and turns it takes.

27 Weeks

I feel huge!  So far, so good though.  Having 2-3 contractions per day, so we'll see what the doctor says next week.  Only 13 weeks until my due date...YEAH!

Cute Prayer

This morning Luz was saying the prayer at breakfast.  I started her off with "Gracias por..." and then she continued with a list of everyone we know, including Mama, Papa, Luz, Tio, Tia, Justin, and Che (the cute little boys next door who are 2 and 4).