A worm, a gun, and a map

I had three funny conversations with Brandt today.  Each of them made me laugh.

We were out walking this morning and passed by the school.  Lots of children were out participating in field day and we stopped to watch.  A neighbor, Shae Weight, came over to say hello and pointed out a long worm on the ground.  We watched it wriggle around a bit, Shae reburied it, and we went on our way.  

  

As we walked away, Brandt asked, "Is it a boy or a girl worm?"

I said, "With worms, it's hard to tell."

Brandt thought for a moment then said, "It no have eyelashes.  It must be a boy."

I hadn't realized worms had eyelashes.  Well, girl worms anyway.

Later Brandt asked, "Blythe asleep.  I see strawberry blueberry gun?"  At least, strawberry blueberry gun is what it sounded like to me.  I said I didn't know what a strawberry blueberry gun was, and so I couldn't get it for him.  He took my hand, said, "Come with me," and then pulled me into the bedroom and to the closet where Kent keeps his Grandpa Droubay's .22 rifle.  Brandt pointed to the gun and said, "Strawberry blueberry gun," which is actually "Grandpa Droubay's gun."  They sort of sound alike when you run them all together.  I then had to spend the next twenty minutes telling Brandt stories about how he and Grandpa Droubay were guarding the sheep and a bear came and Brandt had to fire into the air to scare the bear away. Then there were wild dogs.  Really, Brandt should have been telling me the story, not the other way around.

In the evening, as I sat down to read to the children, I discovered that Brandt had written in pencil all over a wall.  I was not happy about his artistic efforts and I began to chastise him, telling him that I did not like to have to clean up his messes.  

Brandt said to me, "Mom, let me explain."  I had to stop myself from laughing, even though I was irritated.  It is so funny to hear things I say come out of my child's mouth.  Calmly I agreed to listen and he continued, "I needed to draw a map."  I was happy that he was willing to explain, but asked him if there was something else he could have done.  He said he could ask for paper and I agreed that would be a better option.  

I am anxious to hear what Brandt has to say tomorrow.

Big equipment

Check out what was outside our house the other morning!

Does it get any better than a cement mixer right outside the front door?

Not in Brandt's mind. 

Even Blythe was pretty excited.

She danced around, but maybe that was only because she was chilly.

Either way, we were delighted to be able to get up close and personal with such a big piece of equipment.

A significant birthday

I'm forty.

There.  I've said it.  No point in hiding it.  But truth be told, I don't feel any differently than I did last year or the year before or even the year before that.  It helps to be married to an older man; I always feel young.  The children were very obliging and slept in today.  They didn't get up until 7:45am.  Odd how 7:45 is "sleeping in" now that we have children.  

Kent, Brandt, and Blythe came into the bedroom first thing carrying my birthday gift--new sun glasses.  My old sunglasses came to an unfortunate end.  Blythe knocked them out of my hand, a lens popped out of the frame as they landed on the concrete, and Brandt, in a remarkable fluke of timing, stepped on the lens just as it landed, scraping it beyond repair.  So Kent got me a new pair.  They are comfortable and cool.  In addition to the glasses, Kent and the children sang "Happy Birthday" three times: once mooing, once quacking, and once barking.  

Just after I was up, Brandt excitedly rushed to me and dragged me into this bedroom to "see something!"  His window overlooks the front yard, and this is what we saw:

Balloons tied to the bird feeder.  

Upon further investigation we found these:

Tombstones in the front yard announcing to all and sundry that I am forty.

All this courtesy of my dear friend Cinda and her daughter Keira.  

I thought "Once idolized, now fossilized" was a bit harsh for forty.

Cinda assured me they just thought it was a funny saying.

Two friends took me to have a pedicure and now I have happy feet and cute blue toenails.

See?!

We had a lovely birthday dinner with our parents at my parent's house.

Having someone else prepare dinner is such a wonderful gift.  

We enjoyed good food and good company, and not having to wrestle with the children in a restaurant.  

\

Here I am, officially 40. 

(I don't look a day over 26, do I?)

Look at my cute necklace!  I LOVE IT!

It is a gift from sisters Brenda and Michelle.

There are 40 different beads for 40 different years.

I had numerous visits, emails, and phone calls today, all from dear people who love me.  It is wonderful to be loved.  I am so fortunate in my associations with others--family and friends--and feel so blessed.  In addition to sunglasses, blue toe nails, a cute necklace, and balloons, I also got darling red Mary Jane Crocs, a delectable caramel apple, a pashmina scarf, two games, a box of kettle corn popcorn, a purse, and $40 (a dollar for each year of my life) to buy myself a really good book or two or three.  What a haul!  How lucky is that?  I hope the next 40 years of my life will be as great as the first 40 have been. 

Young Woman and the Sea

I just finished reading this really excellent book about Trudy Ederle, the first woman to successfully swim the English Channel.  I had read a review of it some time ago, was interested, and was not disappointed at all.  The book is well written; Stout's research seemed nearly exhaustive, the story of Trudy's life was engaging, and her success inspiring.  I read a large portion of it while riding my bike on the trainer.  Not only did it make the time pass quickly, but I felt good doing something athletic while reading about Trudy's remarkably athletic performance.

I used to think about what I could do to become "The First Woman to . . . "  I never did figure anything out.  From day to day my life seems excessively ordinary and somewhat mundane, fairly uneventful and mostly routine.  But I imagine most people have a life just like that too.  I would like to think that I was making a difference to women everywhere, but I know I will have to settle for making a difference on a far smaller scale.  "Women everywhere" is a lot of people to worry about, and I really only have enough energy to effectively take care of a few. 

Trudy didn't set out to change the world.  She set a goal for herself and then did what she needed to do to make her goal a reality.  I can do that same thing.  Perhaps my goals will be slightly smaller in scope than being a "first" or even a second.  I need to be willing to do whatever is expected of me by Heavenly Father and do it cheerfully and faithfully.  Trudy didn't seek fame or fortune and didn't get either in any lasting measure.  I'm not out for fame and fortune.  The message I took away from this book was that I can make a difference, where I am, at this time.  The difference is not likely to be of a grand scope, but it can be grand for those with whom I interact, and that would be significant, if only for a few.


So I'm going to keep swimming.


Figuratively.

The Fallback Plan

Brandt found a Sears flier on the floor this morning.  There were mowers on the front page, but Brandt investigated further and found a whole page of lawn and garden equipment on sale from Friday through Sunday.  His boyish imagination began to run wild.  He came up with a cunning plan.  We would form a crew and purchase the following:

This super hot 19.5HP riding lawn tractor and a two bin bagger attachment.  As the crew chief, Brandt would drive this.  We would also buy this 6.75 torque front drive propelled mower for those areas that Brandt couldn't get to easily on the riding mower.  This would be Kent's job.

Lest you think this crew is an all-male endeavor, let me disabuse you.  Blythe and I both have a job.  Blythe would get to operate this hi-speed sweeper that picks up grass clippings, leaves, and lawn debris.  Brandt does not realize this attaches to the riding lawn mower, but when I asked him if he was willing to let Blythe ride his mower he said, "No.  Blythe get her own mower.  A red one."  At least he is not sexist in thinking she, as a girl, can't drive a riding mower.  Anyway, here is her attachment.

I, too, get to use equipment.  All small.  I get to edge and trim with the following:

   

A weed whacker and a chain saw.  Does it get any better than that?  And does it get any better than having our not quite four-year-old come up with a plan, involving each member of the family having a vital part to play, each contributing and participating? 

I told Kent this morning that I was going to sleep better at night knowing that we now have a fallback plan should things at Convergent Concrete Technologies go belly up.  If Kent comes home one day without a job, we can always start a yard maintenance business with Brandt as our crew chief.

Blooming gloriousness

Check out these trees!

Today we needed milk, it was lovely, so we walked a few blocks to a BYU creamery.

We passed these trees.  

I love them!

How great is it to have hot pink trees?

Not only do they smell good, they were ahum with bees who were enjoying the trees as much as I.

Then we walked past a whole bank of lilac bushes!

Another nose fest!

I had the children get out of the stroller so we could snort them.

Too yummy.

And fun to hide in too.

Yes, regrettably, Blythe has her finger in her nose.

It was so sunny out, I couldn't really tell as I took the picture. 

She is still cute.

Mother's Day

Today is my third Mother's Day as a mother.  To be frank, it hasn't been the best mom week ever.  I have spent the week cleaning up messes big and small, the crowning achievement being Blythe's smearing of bag balm (like Vaseline) on our not even a year old couch.  By Thursday I had about had it.  I was ready to throw in the towel and move to Wisconsin just to get away from it all.  And yet my children are so sweet, I can't imagine life now without them.  I have found motherhood to be such a varied and altering experience, I want to share my views of being a mother.

Being a mother is:


Maturing.  I used to think I knew a lot about what it took to raise a child.  I am the oldest in my family and had been given a lot of responsibility, but nothing really prepares you for the arrival of parenthood in the form of a small bundle of person.  There is a sharp learning curve.  Adding a second child, even if that child is not such a small bundle, brings another steep learning curve.  I have a much greater appreciation for my mother and grandmothers and for mothers everywhere.  I believe my empathy and compassion have increased, I have a greater desire to serve others, and I appreciate much more service rendered to me too.  I find myself turning to and relying more on the Lord because I want good things for my children, and because I know Kent and I can't do it ("it" being parenting) on our own as well as we can do it with God.  I believe I have a clearer understanding of what I want for our family now that our family is more than just two people, and all of that has come because I became a mom.
Overwhelming.  I have to keep our children safe, clean, fed, clothed, entertained, educated, happy together, spiritually taught and enlightened.  I also work to insure they know I love them, their dad loves them, Heavenly Father loves them, and that they are capable people, even if they are small.  I must teach them to be responsible, kind, to share with others, grateful for all that they have, and willing to serve.  And I am supposed to do all that with a glad heart, while keeping the house clean, and myself in reasonably good shape.  I will admit to having the odd day of depression (or desperation).
Terrific.  There is nothing better than snuggling up with two small bodies to read stories in the evening.  Except having a small person throw his arms around me and give me a huge hug and lots of kisses.  Or having that small small person say, "I love you, Mom."  Or having a different small person demand to be picked up and then have her snuggle into me, head on my chest, arms tucked between us, legs wrapped tightly around my waist.  Or having a wrestle, which is really only growling and rolling around on the floor while tickling.  But hearing the musical laughter of our children might be the very best thing of all.
Humorous.  My kids say the funniest things, sometimes deliberately, but most often just by being themselves. Blythe is a crass opportunist and will stealthily give me tummy-gummers when we are reading stories or watching TV.  She will scowl and growl at us if she is not happy with something we have done, and she jumps up and down when she is excited.  Brandt makes hilarious suggestions about what we should have for dinner (caterpillar toast being a favorite).  He sings great songs like "Follow the Prophet . . . on his motorcycle," and he regularly comes up with wonderful scenarios for stories he wants us to tell featuring himself as the protagonist ("Tell me story about fireman Brandt" or policeman Brandt or ambulance driver Brandt or conductor Brandt.  I think I see a possible line of action figures in development).  He also says things are "driving him crazy."
Exhausting.  I find the constant bickering between brother and sister too much most of the time.  Why can they not get along?  And why do they get up so early in the morning?  And why won't they eat?  And how can they have so much energy in their little bodies that I, an adult, am run ragged?
Rewarding.  Watching our children learn and listening to their questions and observations and knowing that we get to be together forever is a wonder.  Seeing them master new skills or play together without shouting or hitting or fighting but actually enjoying each other is gratifying.  Being a mother is hard work, and some days, truthfully, I think it stinks.  But most of the time I watch my children in awe, amazed that I get to be their mom.  I have the opportunity to help them become the best people they can be, and to help them understand they are children of God. While the pay is minimal (non-existent), the hours long, and the praise infrequent, my decision to become a mom--twice--has been the best decision I have ever made in my married life.  In my unmarried life, deciding to marry Kent was the best decision I ever made, because parenting with Kent is a tremendously rewarding experience too.  He is the better parent in our partnership--more patient than I--and I am grateful this Mother's Day for his mom who raised him well.  I daily benefit from her sacrifices all those years ago.

The Living Planet Aquarium

Griffin, Andrew, Crew, Ava, Blythe, Brandt

Tuesday is normally our "go to the library" day.  We participate in story time, we check out books, and then we go have lunch, usually at McDonald's because they have indoor play equipment.  We are all eagerly waiting for it to not just get warm, but stay warm, so we can follow up story time with a picnic in the park instead of McDonald's.

This month, however, there is no story time, leaving Tuesday mornings wide open.  What to do?  Today we went to the Living Planet Aquarium which is a delightful little aquarium.  It is not so big the children get bored, but not so small that they only have two fish and a turtle.  Oh no!  There are plenty of tanks filled with all sorts of creatures: fish, turtles, jelly fish, frogs, caimans, more fish, a manta ray touch pool, star fish, and even an octopus.

Blythe was enchanted with the whole thing.  She raced from tank to tank saying, among other things, "More fish!" but excited, not bored.  She was far better at actually looking at what was in the tank than Brandt was. He was in a hurry, rushing off to the next tank before really seeing what was in the tank we were looking at.  We had a great time as we always do with cousins.

Brandt, riding a giant frog.

Or is it a toad?

And speaking of toads, here are six, looking at tank holding six toads.

Aunt Tysen accommodating Blythe so she can get a better view of a bullfrog.

Blythe looking at "more fish!"

And the sweet girls, Ava and Blythe, peering out from behind the coral.

The aquarium has a new penguin exhibit that just opened last month.

I am a sucker for penguins. 

I think they are just cute birds.  

There are probably a dozen or so and we stood and watched them swim for a long time.

Brandt took pictures.

A great shot of penguin belly and feet.  

Brandt kept complaining that the penguins wouldn't hold still.

He was hampered in really capturing the shot he was looking for.  

 

It turns out Brandt is just shorter than an emperor penguin

and Blythe is just taller than a rock hopper penguin.

Tulip Festival

I took the children to the Tulip Festival this week.  

We met Tysen, Ava, Crew, Griffin, Lyla, Shaley and Roman.

It was beautiful--a floral feast.

 The children ran and ran through the gardens.  

We loved being outside, we loved the flowers, we loved being together.

Blythe and Cousin Ava

Ava, Griffin, Brandt, Blythe, Crew

We are never able to get all five of them to look at the camera at the same time.

See?

We fed fish--lots of fish.  

Fish food for 25cents a handful.  

So much entertainment for so little money.

Brandt wanted to pet the fish.

Blythe too.

Moms and children, although the way we are sitting makes it look like Ava and Griffin are my children

and Brandt, Blythe, and Crew belong to Tysen.  

And again, we only have two out of five looking at the camera in this shot.

Oh well.

My beauties.  

Brandt wanted to find a green (his favorite color) tulip.

We didn't find one.  

We ate lunch and the children ran up and down the hill we were sitting on.

How can such small people just go and go and go?

Blythe has Cheeto face in this shot.

 

They are deliberately making silly faces at me.