TYPE ONLY 1 WORD. IT'S HARDER THAN YOU THINK!!
1. Where is your cell phone? none
2. Significant other? striking
3. Your hair? combed
4. Your mother? busy
5. Your father? calm
6. Your favorite thing? chocolate
7. Your dream last night? funny
8. Your favorite drink? water
9. Your dream? peace
10. The room you're in? bedroom
11. Your fear? spiders
12. Where do you want to be in 6 years? home
13. Where were you last night? church
14. What you're not? fat
15. Muffins? plain
16. One of your wish list items? music
17. Where you grew up? Utah
18. The last thing you did? ate
19. What are you wearing? sweater
20. Your TV? quiet
21. Your pet? without
22. Your computer? friendly
23. Your life? content
24. Your mood? goofy
25. Missing someone? always
26. Your car? zippy
27. Something you're not wearing? jewelry
28. Favorite Store? bookstore
29. Your summer? fun
30. Your favorite color? green
31. When is the last time you laughed? today
32. Last time you cried? today
33. Who will/would re-post this? few
34. Four places I go over and over? Mom's, church, bathroom, bed
35. Four people who e-mail me: Mom, Chris, Carrie, Rachel
36. What is your favorite food? chocolate
37. Four places I would rather be right now? Disneyland, Yellowstone, Hawaii, England
38. Four people I think will respond? Anyone
Wednesday, January 28, 2009
Friday, January 23, 2009
Nighttime Rituals
Beth used to go to bed nicely. But then she decided sleep is for babies. And she's two now. About the time she should be settling down, she starts going crazy wild. It was at its worst when our family was in town. As I would attempt to put on her pajamas, she would escape and run away yelling, "Get me." It's especially funny since she was usually running away half-clothed. One night, she got away with her pjs still around her knees. She was running and laughing and it's a minor miracle she didn't fall on her face.
After the other kids went to bed, Bethie would decide it was "wrestle time." Chris plays a game where he holds a pillow in front of him. The kids take turns running down the hall and jumping into the pillow. They call it "pillow wrestling." Beth would announce that it was time to wrestle, and then sit down holding the pillow. She would also dictate who(m)* should run and jump into the pillow. "Unca Nate turn." If Uncle Nate wouldn't go far enough away, Beth would point down the hall and say, "GO!" (He needs to have enough space to really get going. That's what the kids do with Chris.) Nate, a good sport all around, would obediently run down the hall and attack Beth's pillow. Then Beth would turn and say, "Trevor turn;" "Tammy turn;" "Justin turn." Auntie Tammy and 15-year-old cousins, Trevor and Justin, would all take turns. They just couldn't resist Beth because she is adorable. The last night they were here, Trevor said, "Beth you are just so cute. I've got to video this." He got out his new Christmas gift and taped Bethie's bossy wrestle time. It was so fun watching Beth have fun with her uncle, aunt, and cousins. I kind of miss the nightly routine--even though our evenings are more peaceful now.
*That's for you, Laura. My style guide is clear over there on the shelf in the closet.
After the other kids went to bed, Bethie would decide it was "wrestle time." Chris plays a game where he holds a pillow in front of him. The kids take turns running down the hall and jumping into the pillow. They call it "pillow wrestling." Beth would announce that it was time to wrestle, and then sit down holding the pillow. She would also dictate who(m)* should run and jump into the pillow. "Unca Nate turn." If Uncle Nate wouldn't go far enough away, Beth would point down the hall and say, "GO!" (He needs to have enough space to really get going. That's what the kids do with Chris.) Nate, a good sport all around, would obediently run down the hall and attack Beth's pillow. Then Beth would turn and say, "Trevor turn;" "Tammy turn;" "Justin turn." Auntie Tammy and 15-year-old cousins, Trevor and Justin, would all take turns. They just couldn't resist Beth because she is adorable. The last night they were here, Trevor said, "Beth you are just so cute. I've got to video this." He got out his new Christmas gift and taped Bethie's bossy wrestle time. It was so fun watching Beth have fun with her uncle, aunt, and cousins. I kind of miss the nightly routine--even though our evenings are more peaceful now.
*That's for you, Laura. My style guide is clear over there on the shelf in the closet.
Peer Influence
Just after Christmas, we had our extended family stay with us. They were here mostly for Ammon's baptism, but we like to think they also came because they like us. My nephew, Ryan, is 3-years-old, and I think he is adorable. He has this cute way of talking. He makes all his words end in "ee." For example, he would say to me, "Aunt Megan, would you get me some cheese and crackees?" It's polite, plus delightfully charming.
In the two weeks since Ryan went home, Beth has changed her way of talking. She now asks for a "dink of watee." (That means drink of water.) Her favorite snacks are now "applees" and "orangees." It cracks me up. I guess if your child is going to give in to peer pressure, it's best to follow a charming little peer like Ryan.
In the two weeks since Ryan went home, Beth has changed her way of talking. She now asks for a "dink of watee." (That means drink of water.) Her favorite snacks are now "applees" and "orangees." It cracks me up. I guess if your child is going to give in to peer pressure, it's best to follow a charming little peer like Ryan.
Wednesday, January 21, 2009
Get to know you
I think most people who read my blog got this in an e-mail from me. But just in case you didn't, here it is. (Plus the fact that I can't think of anything to write on my blog.) I may post this on Facebook as well, just so Laura and Kathryn and Cami can read it over and over and over.
2009 Get to Know You
1. What is your occupation right now ?
I am trying to rid myself of a violent headache that has occupied most of my day.
2. What color are your socks right now?
White. I hate socks, but I hate cold toes more.
3. What are you listening to right now?
The keyboard typing. Actually, my typing on the keyboard.
4. What was the last thing that you ate?
Um, IB Profin and water. Before that a cookie. In fact, I think all I've eaten today is chocolate milk, cookies, and a couple of Ritz crackers. Now I understand the headache.
5. Can drive a stick shift?
Yes. I prefer stick shifts because they are fun.
6. Last person you spoke to on the phone?
Chris. Chris Woods, that is. I sure like him.
7. Do you like the person who sent this to you?
I've gotten it from Laura and Mom, so far. Yes, I like them.
8. How old are you today?
34, I believe. This headache's pretty bad, so I could be off.
9. What is your favorite sport to watch on TV?
College football, professional basketball. I really like the NBA All-Star weekend. But we don't have cable anymore, so it's mostly just "Talking Sports" on channel 2.
10. What is your favorite drink?
Water. Pure orange juice. A non-alcoholic pina colada.
11. Have you ever dyed your hair?
In junior high, I dyed it red for a costume party. It was supposed to wash out. It didn't. Before my wedding, Lee put some lovely highlights in to make it appear as if I had been in the sun. I liked that. No one could tell. When I was almost 30 and suffering some sort of image-break-down, Rachel and Mom and I put highlights in our hair. It didn't go quite as well as the experience with Lee.
12. favorite food?
chocolate. I believe we've been through this before.
13. What is the last movie you watched?
We watch a lot of movies when Chris's family is in town. This time we watched "X-files," "Baby Mama," "Mummy 3," "Beverly Hills Chihauhau," "10,000 B.C.," and some other ones. I can't remember. We took the kids to "The Tale of Despereaux" recently.
14. favorite day of the year?
The day after the primary program is over. Hee, hee. I also like Christmas.
15. How do you vent anger?
I let it fester for a while--hoping it will go away. If that doesn't work, I write out my feelings. If that doesn't work, I make Chris read my feelings. Then I feel guilt for telling him things that might make him feel bad.
16. What was your favorite toy as a child?
Jacob. That came out wrong. But Jacob was a highly entertaining little brother and I didn't really need other toys.
17. What is your favorite season?
I like all seasons. I am a fan of various kinds of weather.
18. Cherries or Blueberries?
Cherries--fresh from a tree.
19. Do you want your friends to e-mail you back?
I like to get e-mails back. It's the only way I know for sure I don't annoy people with my e-mails.
20. Who is the most likely to respond?
Cami usually does these kinds of things.
21. Who is least likely to respond?
Jeff usually doesn't do these kinds of things. But he surprised me with the Christmas get-to-know-you.
22. Living arrangements?
I don't understand the question. My ideal living arrangements? My real living arrangements? My past living arrangements? I like living with Chris. We live with our kids in a townhome that is too small for us because it is bursting with love.
23. When was the last time you cried?
I think I cried a little last Friday. But maybe I just got mad.
24. What is on the floor of your closet?
A box of my craft supplies, a filing box, my temple bag, about 30 framed pictures that lack wall-space in this house, several bags. It's all neatly organized. Did I mention that our home is too small for us? The proof is in the closet.
25. Who is the friend you have had the longest that you are sending to?
I think I'm just sending this to family. Oh, wait, Neal and Kristi. Do they count as family? It's always the question, isn't it. If it's between them, I knew Neal first.
26. What did you do last night?
Read scriptures, got the kids to bed, played on Facebook.
27. What are you most afraid of?
Spiders.
28. Plain, cheese, or spicy hamburgers?
I do love a good cheeseburger, Grommit. (Grommit. That's funny, Laura. I'll leave it there.) Everything is better with cheese. And bacon.
29. favorite dog breed?
hot dog
30. favorite day of the week?
I don't know. For some unknown reason, this is the hardest question on the entire list for me.
31. How many states have you lived in?
3: Utah, South Australia, Victoria. Yes, they call them states in Australia, too.
32. Diamonds or pearls?
I like ice cream.
33. What is your favorite flower?
I like so many flowers. I really like bird of paradise. But wildflowers in Utah are lots of fun--especially Indian paintbrush.
2009 Get to Know You
1. What is your occupation right now ?
I am trying to rid myself of a violent headache that has occupied most of my day.
2. What color are your socks right now?
White. I hate socks, but I hate cold toes more.
3. What are you listening to right now?
The keyboard typing. Actually, my typing on the keyboard.
4. What was the last thing that you ate?
Um, IB Profin and water. Before that a cookie. In fact, I think all I've eaten today is chocolate milk, cookies, and a couple of Ritz crackers. Now I understand the headache.
5. Can drive a stick shift?
Yes. I prefer stick shifts because they are fun.
6. Last person you spoke to on the phone?
Chris. Chris Woods, that is. I sure like him.
7. Do you like the person who sent this to you?
I've gotten it from Laura and Mom, so far. Yes, I like them.
8. How old are you today?
34, I believe. This headache's pretty bad, so I could be off.
9. What is your favorite sport to watch on TV?
College football, professional basketball. I really like the NBA All-Star weekend. But we don't have cable anymore, so it's mostly just "Talking Sports" on channel 2.
10. What is your favorite drink?
Water. Pure orange juice. A non-alcoholic pina colada.
11. Have you ever dyed your hair?
In junior high, I dyed it red for a costume party. It was supposed to wash out. It didn't. Before my wedding, Lee put some lovely highlights in to make it appear as if I had been in the sun. I liked that. No one could tell. When I was almost 30 and suffering some sort of image-break-down, Rachel and Mom and I put highlights in our hair. It didn't go quite as well as the experience with Lee.
12. favorite food?
chocolate. I believe we've been through this before.
13. What is the last movie you watched?
We watch a lot of movies when Chris's family is in town. This time we watched "X-files," "Baby Mama," "Mummy 3," "Beverly Hills Chihauhau," "10,000 B.C.," and some other ones. I can't remember. We took the kids to "The Tale of Despereaux" recently.
14. favorite day of the year?
The day after the primary program is over. Hee, hee. I also like Christmas.
15. How do you vent anger?
I let it fester for a while--hoping it will go away. If that doesn't work, I write out my feelings. If that doesn't work, I make Chris read my feelings. Then I feel guilt for telling him things that might make him feel bad.
16. What was your favorite toy as a child?
Jacob. That came out wrong. But Jacob was a highly entertaining little brother and I didn't really need other toys.
17. What is your favorite season?
I like all seasons. I am a fan of various kinds of weather.
18. Cherries or Blueberries?
Cherries--fresh from a tree.
19. Do you want your friends to e-mail you back?
I like to get e-mails back. It's the only way I know for sure I don't annoy people with my e-mails.
20. Who is the most likely to respond?
Cami usually does these kinds of things.
21. Who is least likely to respond?
Jeff usually doesn't do these kinds of things. But he surprised me with the Christmas get-to-know-you.
22. Living arrangements?
I don't understand the question. My ideal living arrangements? My real living arrangements? My past living arrangements? I like living with Chris. We live with our kids in a townhome that is too small for us because it is bursting with love.
23. When was the last time you cried?
I think I cried a little last Friday. But maybe I just got mad.
24. What is on the floor of your closet?
A box of my craft supplies, a filing box, my temple bag, about 30 framed pictures that lack wall-space in this house, several bags. It's all neatly organized. Did I mention that our home is too small for us? The proof is in the closet.
25. Who is the friend you have had the longest that you are sending to?
I think I'm just sending this to family. Oh, wait, Neal and Kristi. Do they count as family? It's always the question, isn't it. If it's between them, I knew Neal first.
26. What did you do last night?
Read scriptures, got the kids to bed, played on Facebook.
27. What are you most afraid of?
Spiders.
28. Plain, cheese, or spicy hamburgers?
I do love a good cheeseburger, Grommit. (Grommit. That's funny, Laura. I'll leave it there.) Everything is better with cheese. And bacon.
29. favorite dog breed?
hot dog
30. favorite day of the week?
I don't know. For some unknown reason, this is the hardest question on the entire list for me.
31. How many states have you lived in?
3: Utah, South Australia, Victoria. Yes, they call them states in Australia, too.
32. Diamonds or pearls?
I like ice cream.
33. What is your favorite flower?
I like so many flowers. I really like bird of paradise. But wildflowers in Utah are lots of fun--especially Indian paintbrush.
Tuesday, January 20, 2009
Bonding time
And I thought having a PlayStation in the house would make our family less interactive. How wrong I was. (If Chris reads this, I'm being sarcastic. I still don't like it.) But Beth loves to play Guitar Hero with Daddy.Sunday, January 18, 2009
I don't have cable tv. I don't care if I'm unaware of much of what makes our pop culture. I don't have a cell phone. I don't want people to be able to call me all the time. I have used e-mail for quite a while. To me, it just seems like a natural extension to the old-fashioned art of letter writing. (Especially for me since I used capital letters and punctuation.) I have resisted the idea of having a blog, but I gave in. That's all you need to know about that.
Last year, I spent many months trying to find some people from my past--especially people from my mission. I had a little luck, but not much. Then I thought of looking on Facebook for my favorite companion, Sister Beadle. Amazingly, there she was! It was so easy. I immediately got an account and guess what I saw? Pictures of Sister Beadle (now called Christie) and her husband and her kids. I could e-mail her, talk to her live (on-line chat) and send her pictures of my family. We got all caught up and it was FUN! I was still a little weary about Facebook.
My brother, Michael, found out I was on Facebook. He got all excited and added me as a friend. It was so interesting. I told him, "I have entered your world. Are you sure you want me here?" Turns out, he did. It was from Facebook that I found out he had a girlfriend. And then it was how I found out when he broke up with her. It was where I chatted with him to see how he was doing post-break-up. We had a little friendship.
Then I looked for my cousins. I have a fair few cousins on Facebook. Guess what? I have chatted with Judi, my cousin and former roommate, who now lives in Pennsylvania. I talk to Melanie and Gregg (who live in Georgia) and David (who lives in Layton) all the time. I love these people, but I never see them. I don't call them on the phone. I don't send them letters. It has been a great thing for me to rebuild relationships.
I have reconnected with college roommates. Some of them I haven't been able to keep track of for years. My roommate, Jen, was once among my closest friends. But she married a military man. They move so much and she isn't great at keeping in contact. I never know where she is. But now, wherever they move, I still have her on Facebook.
I have reconnected with so many of my missionary friends. I have conversations with people in New Zealand and Australia and Utah :) several times a week. I am loving this. I know people (i.e. my sisters--the ones who don't read blogs, either) who make fun of what they call my Facebook obsession. But I will tell you this: I enjoy my new social life. I have friends. They are mostly my old friends. I like them. If this is the only way we stay in touch with each other, that's fine. It's been more effective than any other thing I have ever tried. And you can make fun of me all you want. If I were you reading a blog like this six months ago, I would have openly mocked it, too.
Last year, I spent many months trying to find some people from my past--especially people from my mission. I had a little luck, but not much. Then I thought of looking on Facebook for my favorite companion, Sister Beadle. Amazingly, there she was! It was so easy. I immediately got an account and guess what I saw? Pictures of Sister Beadle (now called Christie) and her husband and her kids. I could e-mail her, talk to her live (on-line chat) and send her pictures of my family. We got all caught up and it was FUN! I was still a little weary about Facebook.
My brother, Michael, found out I was on Facebook. He got all excited and added me as a friend. It was so interesting. I told him, "I have entered your world. Are you sure you want me here?" Turns out, he did. It was from Facebook that I found out he had a girlfriend. And then it was how I found out when he broke up with her. It was where I chatted with him to see how he was doing post-break-up. We had a little friendship.
Then I looked for my cousins. I have a fair few cousins on Facebook. Guess what? I have chatted with Judi, my cousin and former roommate, who now lives in Pennsylvania. I talk to Melanie and Gregg (who live in Georgia) and David (who lives in Layton) all the time. I love these people, but I never see them. I don't call them on the phone. I don't send them letters. It has been a great thing for me to rebuild relationships.
I have reconnected with college roommates. Some of them I haven't been able to keep track of for years. My roommate, Jen, was once among my closest friends. But she married a military man. They move so much and she isn't great at keeping in contact. I never know where she is. But now, wherever they move, I still have her on Facebook.
I have reconnected with so many of my missionary friends. I have conversations with people in New Zealand and Australia and Utah :) several times a week. I am loving this. I know people (i.e. my sisters--the ones who don't read blogs, either) who make fun of what they call my Facebook obsession. But I will tell you this: I enjoy my new social life. I have friends. They are mostly my old friends. I like them. If this is the only way we stay in touch with each other, that's fine. It's been more effective than any other thing I have ever tried. And you can make fun of me all you want. If I were you reading a blog like this six months ago, I would have openly mocked it, too.
Thursday, January 8, 2009
Sledding
Now I have a Nathan story. We just got back from sledding with Woody (Chris's brother), Michelle and their kids. Everybody loves Woody. Instead of sledding on their own, like my kids normally do, everybody took turns going down the hill with Woody. One time, it was Sarah's and Elle's turn. Woody and the two girls were on their way down, but Nathan didn't want to miss out on the fun. He grabbed on to the back of Woody's jacket and held on tight. He slid the whole way down the hill--behind the sled. And now his pants are very wet.
Some stories
Beth has been sitting at the table instead of in her high chair lately. Last night, Chris and Ammon took the high chair apart so we could put in storage. About 10:00, or later, Bethie was really tired, but refusing sleep. She looked at me and said in a whimpering little voice, "Daddy. High chair. Ammon. High chair." She cried like her little heart would break. It's tough growing up. Today, she had a different approach. When she saw Ammon, she yelled in the meanest voice she has, "AMMON! HIGH CHAIR!" She gave him a dirty look and then started whimpering.
Nathan has been surprisingly normal. He is always funny, but I can't think of anything particularly funny from today or yesterday. I'll come back to him.
This morning, I overheard Sarah talking to her cousin, Elle. Elle said, "Let's cut our hair." I said (loudly), "DO NOT CUT EACH OTHERS' HAIR!" Sarah said, "We won't, Mom." And then they went in Sarah's room and shut the door. My brain is not functioning normally. I thought, "Those sneaky little girls." And then I calmly continued blow-drying my hair and forgot all about it. Until an hour later when I saw Sarah's hair. Luckily, we can't find the damage in Elle's beautiful long hair. But we do know that Sarah cut it somewhere. Elle tried to cut Sarah's hair, but "it wasn't easy." So Sarah had to cut her own. It is short (in places)--above her ears. And we were just starting to grow it out. Last time Sarah cut her own hair, she got to go to the salon and have Carrie fix it. She loves Carrie and she loves getting her hair cut professionally. So this time, she is NOT going to have Carrie fix it. She is going to have to be ugly. (For at least a day.)
Yesterday I overheard the kids playing. I think they were playing ninjas or jedis or something--but someone needed to be the master. Nathan volunteered. Sarah said, "No, Nathan. You are too young. Ammon's the oldest. He should be the master." Ammon said, "A master doesn't have to be the oldest. Like, Nephi. He was younger than Laman and Lemuel, but he was the ruler." Only Ammon would throw in a little gospel doctrine while playing ninjas. Whatever.
How about a Ryan story? Sarah and Elle are planning a princess party. They invited the boys. Nathan ran right up to play. He can't resist a party. Ammon and his cousin, Ryan (age 3), stayed downstairs. They started talking about how much they hated princesses. They went on and on. They used to like princesses, but now they hate them. Ryan said, "But I don't hate my sister. I like my sister. Even though she likes princesses." I thought it was very sweet.
Nathan has been surprisingly normal. He is always funny, but I can't think of anything particularly funny from today or yesterday. I'll come back to him.
This morning, I overheard Sarah talking to her cousin, Elle. Elle said, "Let's cut our hair." I said (loudly), "DO NOT CUT EACH OTHERS' HAIR!" Sarah said, "We won't, Mom." And then they went in Sarah's room and shut the door. My brain is not functioning normally. I thought, "Those sneaky little girls." And then I calmly continued blow-drying my hair and forgot all about it. Until an hour later when I saw Sarah's hair. Luckily, we can't find the damage in Elle's beautiful long hair. But we do know that Sarah cut it somewhere. Elle tried to cut Sarah's hair, but "it wasn't easy." So Sarah had to cut her own. It is short (in places)--above her ears. And we were just starting to grow it out. Last time Sarah cut her own hair, she got to go to the salon and have Carrie fix it. She loves Carrie and she loves getting her hair cut professionally. So this time, she is NOT going to have Carrie fix it. She is going to have to be ugly. (For at least a day.)
Yesterday I overheard the kids playing. I think they were playing ninjas or jedis or something--but someone needed to be the master. Nathan volunteered. Sarah said, "No, Nathan. You are too young. Ammon's the oldest. He should be the master." Ammon said, "A master doesn't have to be the oldest. Like, Nephi. He was younger than Laman and Lemuel, but he was the ruler." Only Ammon would throw in a little gospel doctrine while playing ninjas. Whatever.
How about a Ryan story? Sarah and Elle are planning a princess party. They invited the boys. Nathan ran right up to play. He can't resist a party. Ammon and his cousin, Ryan (age 3), stayed downstairs. They started talking about how much they hated princesses. They went on and on. They used to like princesses, but now they hate them. Ryan said, "But I don't hate my sister. I like my sister. Even though she likes princesses." I thought it was very sweet.
Monday, January 5, 2009
Ammon's baptism
Ammon got baptized on Saturday. This is a major milestone. Before I had children, there are certain things I looked forward to doing. One was teaching a child how to pray. Teaching people to pray was one of my favorite things to do while I was serving a mission. I imagined kneeling with a little one and teaching them the reasons to pray and some ways to pray. Then I had Ammon. Because Chris and I pray several times everyday, Ammon learned to pray by example. I never taught him. He says very personal, heartfelt prayers. This is the way a lot parenting is (in my opinion). While there is plenty we need to teach, there is more the children just naturally learn.
Ammon's baptism was a natural step. He has been preparing for it for 8 years. We didn't do anything special during the last few weeks to prepare him. I meant to do something special, but November and December were very busy. We kept doing the things we've always done. And he was very prepared. He understands so much about gospel doctrine and church organization and his personal relationship with his Heavenly Father and Jesus. He is an amazing child. It was a beautiful thing to see him in white making covenants because he wanted to be baptized. I love Ammon. He is a delightful boy. He makes parenting fun and easy and rewarding. During Sacrament Meeting, the counselor who was conducting asked Ammon to stand. He announced that Ammon had been baptized and confirmed. He asked Ammon how he felt. From the middle of the congregation, cute Ammon gave a big smile and a thumbs-up.
Ammon's baptism was a natural step. He has been preparing for it for 8 years. We didn't do anything special during the last few weeks to prepare him. I meant to do something special, but November and December were very busy. We kept doing the things we've always done. And he was very prepared. He understands so much about gospel doctrine and church organization and his personal relationship with his Heavenly Father and Jesus. He is an amazing child. It was a beautiful thing to see him in white making covenants because he wanted to be baptized. I love Ammon. He is a delightful boy. He makes parenting fun and easy and rewarding. During Sacrament Meeting, the counselor who was conducting asked Ammon to stand. He announced that Ammon had been baptized and confirmed. He asked Ammon how he felt. From the middle of the congregation, cute Ammon gave a big smile and a thumbs-up.
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