These are the days of our lives

I can't believe it's already September. The boy's birthdays are looming and the flames of time are hungry: before my eyes they're licking away the baby fat and all things infant. Tonight we went for a picnic at Backbone State Park. It was a new kind of family outing for us. Dan and I went one way, grilling and staying close to the food, and the boys did their own thing. Of course, this isn't the first time they've played on their own. It just felt different. Like a family without a baby. We haven't had that sensation in a while.

It was nice. We creek-stomped in absolutely frigid water. The boys were oblivious to the temperature and enjoyed every dirty, slimy moment.

It's just not FAIR!

Yesterday, while doing errands, we drove past a big colorful daycare. Kids were out playing on some very basic park equipment. Unfortunately, our errand left us standing across the street from this fenced in oasis and Harrison and Truman's big blue eyes zeroed in on it. They'd like to go play too. (Of course, we'd just been to the park, but that didn't seem to matter.) I carefully explained what a daycare was, and that they didn't have to go to one because Mom and Dad make sure one of us can stay with them. Oh, the disappointment and resentment! Truman didn't have the vocabulary, but Harrison did. "It's just not FAIR, Mom!" As soon as we were inside, he carefully arranged himself in his most pouty stance and made sure I noted it several times.

What am I supposed to do with THAT?

I spy with my little eye....

We just hit another milestone that breaks my heart a little bit. Recently, Harrison started going crossed-eyed so I took him into the optometrist. The doctor announced that Harrison had the worst far-sightedness he'd seen in 16 years of practice. SO, we got some pretty thick little glasses and he's been adjusting to them for the last day-and-a-half. He's a trooper and takes the whole thing very seriously.

Somehow, as a mom, it's just upsetting to know that he's struggled for that long, unable to perceive the world in the way he should. I'm really happy that we're able to fix that for him. But then, on the other side, is how I feel everytime I look at him in his new glasses. They magnify his eyes dramatically, and it makes him seem like an entirely different person. He seems more vulnerable and I want to protect him every way possible. He confided to my sister Katy that his glasses aren't cool, and I find myself faced with what I'm sure every parent has to deal with, but just a little bit earlier than I thought I'd have to. It's not that I want to fix him; I just want to make this world perfect and safe so that it can't hurt him, you know?

Anyway, I'm sure I'm getting just way too emotional about a rite of passage that tons of us have gone through. Here are some pics of my little star rocking his new specs.

Politics as Usual

When I was in the 4th grade, our school held a mock presidential election: Bush vs. Dukakis. Though we all know who won in real life, at West Burlington Elementary School, it was not cool to vote Bush. Josh Gahn and Nick Anderson wouldn't let me play four square when they learned of my political leanings. I became a closet conservative. But no more! The boys got their first taste of practicing self expression today.

We rocked a TEA (Taxed Enough Already) party armed with signs. It was a lot of fun, and it really felt good to come together with so many other people with concerns like ours. The turnout was great, and people couldn't get enough of Harrison and Truman in their ball and chains. They were definitely the camera's favorite.

After trying out various little flares, rockets, sparklers, poppers, etc., Truman decided the snakes were his favorite. He deemed them worthy enough for him to attempt to say, "Nake, nake!"

We also played on the beach and enjoyed an airshow, and I put Harrison to bed early so that he can go out late with Mom and Dad to ride the Ferris Wheel and catch the fireworks. I love this country. I love our heritage. God bless America!

Aaah!

So, we're moving in a week and I'm running around like a chicken with my head cut off. (I feel like a Patton every time I say that.) We're heading to Iowa where my parents are, and I'll be teaching there this fall. I hadn't really realized how long it's been since my last post, so I'll try to get some pictures on tomorrow. With all the packing, I found a paper I got for Mother's Day that I wanted to memorialize here so that I can toss the real thing. Here it is:

My Mom Test
by Harrison Gilbert

What is something Mom always says to you?
Please.

What makes Mom happy?
When I brush my teeth.

What was your mom like as a kid?
She was a little mom.

How does your mom make you laugh?
She wrestles me and tickles me.

How old is your mom?
Five.

How tall is your mom?
Five.

What is her favorite thing to do?
Play with her boys.

What does your mom do when you're not around?
She settles down.

What is your mom really good at?
Exercising.

What is your mom not really good at?
Ironing clothes.

What does your mom do for a job?
She goes to school.

What is your mom's favorite food?
Corn on the cob.

If your mom was a cartoon character, what would she be?
A dino.

How are you and your mom the same?
We both love corn on the cob.

How do you know your mom loves you?
Because I'm special.

I think I'll like to read this in about thirteen years when he's not being as cute. But I really did have a wonderful Mother's Day.

I've heard it said that you can't know joy without knowing pain. There'd be know way to appreciate the high without the low. Maybe that's why we have seasons. All I know is, this world can be simply breathtaking. And I love being reminded of the millions of miracles around me as I watch the earth wake up again. It just does something to my spirit. If you had spied on my 30 minute commute home on Friday, you would have noted my wind-whipped hair and the fact that my hand was sticking out of my sunroof for the duration.

But that's nothing compared to what I get to see when I get home. Here are some of my favorites:

--I was the sole disciplinarian for Tru today, and that doesn't happen a ton. The boy has a rebellious streak a mile wide, so it didn't take long for him to find his way to a time out. Afterward, I picked him up and was trying to extoll the virtues of not screaming like one is on fire while stealing toys from one's brother, and I couldn't get two words out before he would solemnly plant a firm kiss on my lips. I'd try again to finish the lecture, but no go--more kisses. It became comical pretty quickly--I think he was honestly trying to shut Mommy up by kissing her into submission. And it worked.

--Now that it's warm, the boys have a new favorite activity. The barren, dirty alley. They'll amuse themselves for a while on the second story deck, digging in the rock box and pushing the tractors around, but eventually they beg to "dig, dig, dig!" Apparently, little boys come programmed knowing that digging in a sandbox of rocks is good, but REAL digging is sitting on your heels in the dirt, stirring stuff up just enough to create little dustclouds around you and coat you with a nice thin film of grime. As completely opposite in disposition as my boys can be, they are united on this front. Dirt is king.

--Putting Harrison to bed has a fun perk. After I read or tell him a story, he immediately returns the favor. His stories tend to go in little trends for a couple of weeks until something stimulates him to make major changes. The current story line always begins with Big John and involves getting stuck in the mud. The stories vary a lot, night to night, but lately you can count on those elements. But the best part is after his story. Then he asks me if I'd like to know a secret. I always do. He won't ever tell until my ear is brushing his face, and then I get lots of warm, loud breaths, lots of gibberish I can't make out, and then a few random words like "apple" and "banana" and he pulls back with a huge smile. I assure him that's a great secret, and then I tell him a secret back.

--Dan is the man. He puts a lot of guys to shame. In the last couple of weeks, he not only found these two tiny ceiling fans and lights on clearance for a steal, but he somehow managed to get up into our attic and pull wires and . . . stuff (don't really know all the details here) . . . and put up ceiling fans in the boys' bedrooms that hadn't been set up for any fixtures in the ceilings at all. It amazes my to think of all the skills he's picked up since we got married. But my favorite part of that story is how he shopped around and found fixtures for a fraction of what they should have been. Have I been rubbing off or what?

I'm a chronic prodigal

I swear, half of my posts are apologies regarding how long it's been since my last post. No apology this time. If you're still bothering to check, then you obviously had enough faith to get you through that last lapse and can't be hatin' on me that much.

So--Happy Easter! We had an egg-cellent time today (honestly, I know they say puns are the lowest form of humor, but it seems to me that very witty people use them), and I'm putting up a kind of tediously long little vid for the grandparents, or anyone else who wants a glimpse of our Easter morning.



I hadn't talked to Harrison much before this season about the crucifixion or atonement, and thought that now would be a good time to start. Christmas is much easier--kids get birth. But I don't think he fully got that one. I tried talking to my little 3-year-old Sunbeam class today, but death, much less one on a cross for us, was a little out of their grasp. I kept getting interrupted with questions like, "What is 'killed'?" But even though I can't explain it to them yet, I hope my boys grow up with an understanding and gratitude for what we are celebrating today.

The family that swims together....

ummm, swims together? True enough, I guess. Last week we joined the Y and I'm already starting to forget what life was like Before the Y (B.Y.). We're settling into a nice little routine. B.Y., when I got home from work, we would have had dinner, done a little couponing, and then read and played till bedtime. Please, that's for amateurs. Now, we throw some nourishment into our bodies and rush to the gym. The boys can't get enough of playing with the other kids, Mom and Dad can't get enough of getting a good workout in, and then (this is the best part for all involved) we get to go swimming! So fun. The only part I'm trying to get the kinks worked out of is the post-pool stuff. Handling Truman when he's dry and clothed can be difficult. He squirms like no other. It comes in handy when he's sticky from jelly or peanut butter--at least you won't drop him. Now try taking his clothes off, get him wet and soapy, and see what I have to deal with in the shower room. It's given me a better understanding of the old expression about greased pigs.

This pic has nothing to do with us swimming (did anyone need that to be said?), but I thought I'd throw in what happened the last time we put the camera on a timer. I'll be sad when our whole family can't fit in that chair.

A contest!

Okay, I've never done a contest on my blog before, but if anyone is still reading (I know you are Flee!), there is a prize involved.

My brilliant friend Brit (aka Hunter's mom) is a recent inventor/entrepreneur and has started her own website/webstore for this product:

Is that adorable sweet thing wearing a baby eye mask? Why, yes she is. Brit kind of accidentally discovered that Baby Paisley slept much better while travelling when her eyes where covered (it started when her headband slid down) and the rest is history. She's had all kinds of boutiques pick this up and it's catching like wildfire. Anyway, since I'm lucky enough to be super BFFs with this millionaire-in-the-making, I have been authorized to give away one Baby Lilac eye mask to whomever I choose. So leave a great comment. Check out her selection here at www.babylilac.com (note these aren't just for little girls--or even little people--I guess you could pick an adult size if you so desired). Feel free to spread the word; I think these are genius. And hot.

Missin' me some Menards

I'm super bummed to not be in Iowa right now just because of this cool deal Menards is doing. Go here to check out all the details, but I'm a super fan of mail in rebates. If you can afford to put the money up front and actually remember to do the rebate, then you can get some cool stuff for free. Check it out, my mid-west friends!

I Love Primary

Once every week the boys and I like to take Jen to work. It makes our day a little shorter and we get to spend more time with her. This afternoon as we were driving to pick Jen up Harrison told me that he loved primary. I asked him if it was because of all of the kids there or the songs he gets to sing. He replied "No. I love my teacher." The great part about this story is that Jen is Harrison's primary teacher.

So funny

Okay, so a super old friend of mine from church girl's camp just got back in touch through the blog (Holla, Colista!). And I was checking out her blog and found this vid that about made me pee my pants. So funny.

Pink is for girls/A peeping Tru

So, today's science experiment involved static and Daddy and the boys decided they needed to purchase some supplies. Harrison dipped into his birthday money that he's been holding onto and splurged on a pack of balloons. How sweet is that? What I love even more is that it led to the following coversation this evening:

H-man: Do you want the pink balloon, Mom? Pink is for girls.

Jen: (surprised) Who told you that? (I really haven't categorized things like that for him yet.)

H-man: Leah.

Jen: Oh. Well, what color do you want?

H-man: (smiling that "I know I'm being funny" smile) Pink.

******
Dan is really sweet about trying to fill me in on things that I missed while I'm away. Today he told me one that I've been trying to picture all night. I bought some clearanced Christmas Peeps last night as a filler (couponing strategy) and Dan and Truman stumbled upon them this afternoon. Tru just kind of pondered it a moment, unsure, until he saw Dan take a bite of his. The sheer surprise, joy, and ecstasy that then crossed his face were, as Dan described it, an unparalled new emotional height for the Trumantor. I think we can all remember the bliss we felt the first time we realized that someone actually had the genius to cover a sugary marshmallow with yet another layer of sugar. Aah, I wish that had been captured on camera. I remember a neighbor telling me that Truman "smiled from his toes" and he still does.

Weird science

Is it Thursday already? How quickly the time flies when I skip blogging! I admit, I'm two day's off my new year's res, but I am undeterred. I think I can, I think I can....

Anyway, I'm making this post quick because we're busy here tonight. For Christmas Harrison received a My First Science Book from his great aunt Tricia, my uncle Scott, and my cousins Michaela, Anna, and Nick. Super sweet of them, and we hadn't really taken a look at it till yesterday. Well, look out, cause it's all H-man wants to do. He did all kinds of experiments and projects with Daddy today (fishing with magnets was a hit) and he had picked out precisely what he wanted to work on when Tru went to bed tonight. So we've been doing some fun shadow work and he's up there experimenting some more and Dan is reading Charlie Bone and I'm kind of feeling left out. So back to the lab. I'll try to get some pics for tomorrow's post!

Things I don't want to forget

Okay, so this is the most current picture we have of my little family. I know that when I look back on it even five years from now I'll miss this stage of life. Look at us, it's nothing but a good lookin' party all day long with those guys around. It just got me thinking about all the fun things that Tru and Harrison do right now that I don't want to forget. Like:

-Tru and Harrison loyally stationed at the second-floor kitchen window every morning as I leave and every afternoon as I come home, window wide open, catcalling, "Ow-ow, Momma!" for all the neighborhood to hear. Would I make that up?

-Harrison waking up early to sit on the edge of the tub and tell me about his dreams while I get ready for work. (I'm not actually sure he has dreams yet. Usually they seem to involve whatever we were doing as we were going to bed the night before or whatever he happens to lay eyes on in the bathroom while he's talking.)

-Truman totally knows when he's ready for bed and often times has to remind us (especially if it's before seven and we're not expecting it). He just starts waving like a pageant queen and climbs up the stairs by himself.

-When Harrison sits down at the computer to "work" he does two things. He checks his email and he looks for good deals. Whenever he gets hold of scissors, he starts cutting "coupons" (i.e. anything in the shape of a square). He may look the part of Daddy, but he's a Mama's boy.

-Truman is frightenly stubborn. He demands absolute independence when eating or just won't do it. I'm finding he's not really that picky of an eater, just how it's presented. If I dare cut it up more than he thinks I should or break it apart etc., you can forget him eating. I don't know how he does it. He would honestly rather be hungry. I know that's not a cute story, but I just want to remember that years from now when I'm dealing with him and wondering where it all started.... Alas, I'm afraid this trait of his also qualifies him as a Mama's boy.

-Despite being a total squirmer, Truman LOVES reading. He is also very sure of what he wants to read. We go through phases, but right now his must read is the Griffith alphabet book that Aunt Shell made a while back. He insists on poring through every page and pointing out Grandpa Griffith. It's just what he does. (By the way, Happy Birthday, Dad!)

-Harrison requests tea all the time for various ailments. He is convinced it is the only thing that can help. As I was typing he just got out of bed to tell Dan that his thigh hurt and he needed tea. On Sunday during Sacrament meeting, he repeatedly announced in a loud voice that he was about to throw up and he needed tea. Repeatedly. In a loud voice. Tea. These are the things I don't want to forget.

24's back!

There's no more to say except 8/7central.

Flashback fun

Well, this blogging thing has had one positive effect so far: I'm starting to look at OTHER PEOPLE'S blogs again. I checked out Lauren and Carolyn's and there were so many great pics from their wedding this summer. It was fun to reminisce. The last one cracks me up. Those kids were going nuts!

93 cents later

Please forgive, but I'm going to have to do brag posts every now and then with the whole couponing thing. I'm addicted and I have this adreneline rush afterwards where I talk about it a lot. So here's what I got last night for 93 cents:

12 Reeses Whips candy bars

2 Stayfree 48 packs of maxi pads

2 pints of Ben & Jerry's ice cream (Cherry Garcia for Dan and Half Baked for me)

1 Orajel coldsore thingy

6 boxes of Reynolds foil

The total came to .93 cents. BUT THAT'S NOT THE BEST PART! The best part is I have a total of $16.49 in rebates coming back to me for my purchase. Yes, I typed that correctly. I made fifteen bucks last night for buying candy bars and ice cream. Sometimes, when I talk to people about couponing, they have this kind of smug, uppity attitude and I can tell they think I waste my time worrying about mere pennies. The more ice cream for me, I guess.

my turn

Many of you know that Jen is working full time outside the home teaching again. She is a very busy momma. She has asked me to help out by contributing to the blog every once in a while. I know how disapointed many of you must be. I am not as good of a writer as jen and I will probably have my sentences structured wrong as well as mispelled words. Sorry to say that my postings will not be edited by jen.

Jen is amazing. She worked all day. Came home and spent time with the kids. Put the boys to bed and started couponing. She is currently out shopping at 10:30 pm. I love you pie!

Life as a mr. mom is hard. I have always respected the "stay at home mom" even though many in our society believe that isn't working. I challenge any one who thinks that staying at home with a 3 year old boy and a 1 year old boy isn't hard, stressful, dirty, noisy, lonely (adult conversations), stinky, tiring work to take my place for a day. It is so much easier to go to a construction site and play builder all day.

Well, here is a picture of our activity last night. Thanks for the ginger bread man kit Great Grampa Griffith.

not a habit yet......

Okay, I don’t have an excuse for missing a post yesterday other than I honestly just didn’t think about it. Bound to happen, right? So this is a quick make up, and I’ll do another tonight. I am pleased to say I have at least a fiber of my mother in me, because the reason I forgot to blog last night was simply due to a little cleaning frenzy I got caught up in. Sadly, this is a rare, rare thing for me, but I always enjoy it when it happens.

Below you’ll find what Dan and I encounter sometimes when we come in for a final tuck-in on our way to bed. When we asked the following morning, he said his puppet friends were Bear and Crocodile. Aah, I love that guy.

My Testimony

So, I've been back in the classroom for a few weeks and am enjoying the experience. Today I was in an 8th grade Social Studies class that is studying Georgia history. They happened to be discussing some of the religious movements in the 1800's that affected our state and the nation and when I glanced down at a student's textbook, wouldn't you know a picture of the prophet Joseph Smith was staring back at me.

My pulse quickened a little because I've seen my share of texts that seem to go out of their way to falsify or put funny spins on my church's history. I read it quickly and was pleased to note that everything was true and unbiased. Imagine my shock then, during the lecture, when the classroom teacher moved the discussion from the introduction of Catholicism in Georgia on by saying, "Now, there were also religions brought in outside the realm of Christianity at this time. One of these is called The Church of Latter Day Saints."

I quickly jumped in to point out that the church she was referring to was called The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints (quite correctly named in the text) and that this church was obviously within the "realm of Christianity." Wow. It really amazes me how often people really misunderstand my religion. But it was extra disappointing to witness the miseducation of so many students.

Anyway, it just got me thinking today about how vital my faith in Jesus Christ is to me. I am ashamed that I never have the urge to include bits of my testimony or faith on this blog or in other communications I have with people. The older I get, or maybe just the wiser I get, the clearer it is to me that this is it. There is nothing more important. So even though this is kind of a taboo topic for blogs (or at least the ones I've read) I just wanted to make sure that there is no question where I stand on this issue. I am grateful for Christ's ministry and example, and I am humbled that he has atoned for my sins. Jesus is my King.

Monday night at the Gilbert house

Hmmm. The posts are not just popping into my head yet, so I'll just give a brief rundown of the most exciting things going on around here tonight and then post a couple more totally adorable Christmas vacay shots.

--Our cat is fat. Truly. Rocky has been hefty for a while, but the neighbor boy that we left entrusted our feline family member to must have misunderstood how many times a day he eats (once) because we came back to a little lardo. It's shocking how much weight a cat can put on in a short amount of time. I think he kept right up with Dan and I's holiday weight gain, and he is a fraction of our body mass.

--Our Trubador is sick. Yucky goopy eyes, fever, nasty nose, coughing, and some pretty bad wheezing. I ran into Walgreens with him tonight and he must be getting enough air despite the wheeze because he threw a tantrum any toddler twice his age would have been proud of. If there were any of those said toddlers lurking in far corners of the store, I'm sure they heard and WERE proud of him. We had him take a long steamy shower, glopped him up with baby Vicks, and put him to bed with the humidifier. There is nothing harder for a mom to look at than a sick baby.

--Our H-man is systematic. I'm coming to love the sounds of Harrison getting ready for bed. I could almost predict every sound right before I hear it. Drawer slides open. Clunk of stuff. Quiet for a few seconds as he unscrews his pre-brush mouth wash. Phbbbbb (spitting it out). Smack of lips and deep breath. More quiet as toothbrush is prepared. Vigorous brushing. Vigorous spitting. Water. More smacks. More clunks. Then a whoosh of the drawer as it closes again with a satisfying finality.
Maybe it's because I had a hand it picking them out, but the Christmas Eve cousin jammies were just about the cutest EVER. The kids knew it. They loved 'em.

Speaking of love, Tru adored his little partner-in-crime cuz, Danger Joan. I mean, Afton. They were hilarious together and it's all I can do not to move to Utah just so I can see them like that all the time. When they had their matching pj's on, I kept getting them mixed up. They're the same size with about the same amount and color of hair. They totally could have pulled a Sweet Valley High switch and gotten away with it.

New Beginnings (#1)

I know not everyone shares this feeling, but I truly look forward to the beginning of another year. I love having that fresh empty calendar. And I love the hard-to-miss opportunity to look over the last year and decide what you want to change. I know that it doesn't always come to fruition and New Year's resolutions can be somewhat of a joke, but I do try to honestly make a few postitive changes annually.

And so here we are. My last post was in October. When we were living in Nashville. But no more looking back--onward, ho! Welcome to one of this year's resolutions--30 daily posts. If blogging hasn't turned back into a love of mine after 30 consecutive posts, then I will know at least I tried. I'm hoping it will be enough of a habit by then that I will continue at least several times a week. We'll see.

I'm including a snapshot from the first annual Griffith Nativity that was a smashing success this season thanks to the splendid efforts of my dear sister-in-law Kate. No, she didn't forget to make a costume for Harrison, he just pulled some attitude at the last minute and refused to be Joseph. He opted for rogue shepard instead. Everything else went off fantastically and I'm sure we'll be doing in everytime we're all blessed enough to be together for the holidays.

So happy new year (kind of) everyone--and happy birthday, Mom!