Balloon Glow- the best festival around

The annual event of the Louisville Balloon Glow started this weekend. Touted to be in the top 5 in the nation for hot air balloon festivals, a gathering of 85 balloons at dusk "light" their inflated balloons. The glow and warmth from the balloons is awesome. You can get as close as you want and I love watching the teams work together to get them up. Every balloon rise from the ground got an applause from Emma and it really is so fascinating. It's almost as magical as Disneyland. ALMOST. I'm a dork like that.

(Forgive my camera. It's lived its' life. I'm still trying to replace it. Pictures are spotty.)

(That's NOT Ryan between the kids.)

(THIS is Ryan squinting. He's blaming the camera.)

( And this is blurry. But, shows the magic.)

I need a new camera~ before next years glow.

I'm a serious cook now.

Thanks to this super cute apron from Heather D., these turned out well. I feel so gourmet when I wear it! Just a shout out to this girl that sews and paper crafts and shares all of her talents so well. I am graced with her goodness often. Her blog will be a fun one to read. She's just getting started, and I bet Martha Stewart would claim her "A good thing".

He Placed in Weird Science

Ryan's research project this past month:

"Healthcare Associated Pneumonia Treated as Community Acquired Pneumonia Compared to Community Acquired Pneumonia Patients Treated with the same Therapy."

Yep. That's it in a nutshell. He won 3rd place in his conference and has an invitation to go to Washington DC in May. There he will present again.

I am hoping to join him, without the kids. I have a babysitter (mom please come) in mind.

Don't you love when you see your spouse succeed? And excel too? But, the best part for me is that I have this best friend and husband and father that no matter what success he has, puts us first. Always. 100% non-negotiable. That's what makes him the gold ribbon, first place, grand prize. And he didn't even have to win the 3rd place for me to know it.

Up in Flames, Down the Drain

So I have these little brothers that did something ghastly once. I was in the 9th grade when the first one came along (Jacob) and 13 months later came Isacc. I thought they were the cutest babies to ever exist. I would be so excited to come home from school to see them and hold them and if someone ever asked me if they were mine (like they thought I was a teen mom or something) I remember being a little flattered. They were that cute.

When Jacob was 3, and Isacc was obviously 2, I left for college at Utah State. (They really have never remembered me living at home with them, but my mom swears when they really hit those rough teen years they are coming my way. So, maybe I will live with them again.)

Well, on a frequent call home during my first year, I could tell I had called at the wrong time. My mom was a bit "overwhelmed" sounding. She mentioned that "the boys" had started a fire. A plastic spewing, seriously smoking, stenchy fire. That escaped from the living room fireplace to hit the ceiling. I knew my Grandma was coming to help. What in the world I thought? Who was watching them?

Come to find out, the fire started as a small appropriate fire in the fireplace. But while my mom was on the phone they took their blankies and piled their toys on them and then dragged their blankies to the fireplace and threw each of their toys in. Hence the plastic spewing. When I came home for break the smoke damage was still present. And 10 years later my brothers still have not lived it down.

This flashback memory hit me tonight during bath time for Emma and Landon. I was bathing them and vacuuming at the same time. ( We were watching them people.) We had a really full afternoon and Ryan was talking on the phone trying to get out the door for his night shift and I heard normal laughing and saw them both. They would yell at me and I would talk back to them and there was a sporadic THUD but it did not cause me too much concern. Until, I went closer. Their electronic toys were in the bath with them! The toy closet is right by the bath tub and Emma must have hopped in and out and grabbed them one by one (I said we were watching them!) So, as I looked in the bath of toys and just a little water, I instantly thought of that toy fire. And thought once again, "Who was watching them?"

I say Ryan for sure.

I HAVE THE CURE

for sleep training a baby.

I have (let me stress this) ACCIDENTALLY been taking sleeping pills at night instead of a nasal decongestant. For like a good week. The doctor in the house told me to take the "aqua" pills from his medicine cubby. So, I did and noticed:

1. Landon would wake up and cry at night, but I was too tired/groggy to get up out of bed and get him and I clearly would tell my mind, "give him just a minute more and see if he can work it out and then go get him." BUT, my body was too tired. And he must not have cried that long because it did not bug me as much (shall I say sleeping pill hangover?).

But, last night when I was taking my "nasal decongestant" Ryan and I were talking in the kitchen and he said, "HEY! Wait a minute! WHAT have you been taking? THIS?" and he proceeded to laugh so hard at me I thought he was going to choke. He said it's the "other aqua pill, don't you read?"

So, I took the real nasal decongestant last night. I did not sleep so soundly. I woke up. Landon slept through the night. He should. He's old enough. The sleeping pills cured him (or me would you say? ).
(ps- I know, way too many posts from me as of late. This is my journal. This had to be documented as a milestone.)

How do you know when it is time to Autumnize?

When my "neighba lady" (Traci- no blogger girl) begins her craftiness. And I get to benefit from her. It's hanging on my wall right now. Let the festivities begin. (Is this pumpkin so cute or what?)

I could have a whole LONG post about this neighba lady. I called her from Bakersfield because "someone" during my phone networking (named Sister Waykild) said, "I think there is another LDS family on that same street that you bought your house on. Let me give you a number." And that was how I met Traci. I called asking if she would do a "drive-by" and check out this house that we had pretty much bought off the internet (what were we thinking?). Sure she said (probably thinking, "who does that?"). She asked for the address and then said, "Hey, I think that is the house RIGHT ACROSS THE STREET. Let me go look out my window!". It was an answer to my prayers. She confirmed that the house did exist and was not just a front, but truly dimensional and that we bought in a good location. Yes, I did cry a tear when I had that conversation with her (she was thinking again, "Who does that to a total stranger on the phone?").

And ever since, I now look out my window at her sweet home and am thankful that I have her in my life. She sees me at my best (7am outfit at the bus) and at my worst (7am outifit at the bus). And, I love her. And her taco soup. And her extensions too.

(Okay, and her Dad too. He interviewed Ryan years ago for a calling in San Diego. He owns KFC's and we loved him . And remembered him. And Traci was that "daughter" he was talking about that lived in far off land of Kentucky. It was our destiny to meet.)

Up and At'em

Awake at 5:15. Ready for the day. I guess that means I was too. Back down again at 8:30 in the morning. Folded perfectly in half and with a snore. On with the day for me...

Today a series of events occurred that made me happy:

I picked Emma up this morning and she told me distinctly, " I love you". For the first time. She repeated it to Ryan and we both could not help but smile at her. What words are ever worth more than that? Tanner was at school, it would have been perfect if he were here to have heard it with us.

Landon is not walking yet. But trying. He was pushing around a little wood cart that has 4 wheels and was so excited at himself. He was yelling for us to watch him. Tanner began to cheer for him. "Go little Chubbas!" How could I ever miss this?

I got the opportunity to help someone out in a very minor way today. As I was leaving their home, their sweet little 8ish boy says to me, "Thank you! You really didn't have to. You outdid yourself." What do you say to that? I wanted to say, "Can I do it again everyday for the next week? Just to hear your innocent gratitude and see your sweet little face." I left with such a warm feeling.

Tonight was "Restaurant Night" at our house. Translation: Left-over night. I set the assortment out in as appetizing as a way as I can and then each gets a plate and picks. Like a buffet. (Did I say I am not a fan of leftovers?) As we are eating dinner Ryan asks Tanner what he's going to pay me? (I'm the chef at the restaurant and need to be paid). Tanner says he has no money to pay me and Ryan says that he will have to wash all the dishes then. Tanner started instantly crying. If this were the least of things he cried about throughout his life I would be a happy mom forever.

Daughter of Diane

What could I ever say to my mom to let her know how thankful I am that she had me? How could I ever express how grateful I am that I am HER daughter? What could I ever do for her to equal her gift of life to me? What form of gratitude is ever enough to thank the woman who birthed me and cared for me hours on end and tried her very hardest to love me and teach me how to make right choices?

I know there is never a limit to the gratitude that I can have towards her.

That said, I am turning 29. (No, not 30 yet. I am still savoring my 20's, thank you.) And want to make note of some gifts my mother has in commemoration of my birth:

-My mom has a design flair- she has a great sense of what goes together cosmetically. She can beautify any space- even my first college apartment. She sewed all my bed linens then and I still find that I look to her in times of my "textile" needs now.

- She is highly loyal. She loves all her friends and family deeply. One of her greatest attributes.

- Many know, but she can make an unbelievably awesome dark chocolate cake. She has followers. She is an overall excellent cook. She loved me enough to know that I don't do well with "weird" food and never made me eat it.

- A bargain shopper that often benefits those in her life. She finds a deal and many reap the benefits. And, you would not know it was an "economical" find either.

- She is a great sounding board. I have had concerns about various things throughout my life and she is great at bringing perspective and balance to my thoughts.

- She is willing to serve. I have fond memories of "pixing" (doorbell ditching) and watching her drop this gift or meal off to another. I remember going with her to drop off stake humanitarian kits at the Church Store and feeling so grateful for her and her serving diligently in her calling. She always serves faithfully. And I have always known it's because she has a testimony of the gospel and His hand in her life.

Wouldn't it be nice if I came with all these gifts just because I am hers? I cherish her as my mom, but especially because as I grow older I continue to learn more about her and her capabilities. Happy Birthday to me because of her.

DO I EVER WIN ANYTHING?

Not ever, usually. But today I hit the jackpot! I am a recipient of Mandee Grants "Pay it Forward". She was one of "the chosen" to be interviewed on c janes blog. Her obligation by being highlighted was to "Pay it Forward".
I told her a personal Christmas card would be so perfect. Anyhow, I will eventually post how I will "Pay it Forward"- per the contest rules of course. Lucky me huh?

Plane Peoples

Now that I have a minute, I wanted to mention one of the interesting people I met on the plane this past weekend. As I was wishing Landon would sleep, a motherly woman stopped me and told me she has 13 children and that she cloth diapered them all . She washed diapers first thing in the morning. She dreamt about cloth diapers. And, she had no washer and dryer (except for with the last child).

Now, I can say I did use cloth diapers for about 18 months while in the Caribbean BUT it was pretty much a 3rd world country. There was good justification for it. I was trying to save my husband a pretty penny (or dollar since a single diaper cost more than a buck). And I had an electric washing machine but no dryer. I did line dry, but the sun kept my diapers white and I liked that, except for when it rained, which it did, and then it was a pain to get them dry. This Mom said the same thing, during the winter she had "stiff as a board" cloth diapers from the line. That's how I knew she was telling me the real deal. You don't think about weather and diapers unless you are a user of cloth ones.

If someone went back to the states and had suitcase room, and was really generous as a treat, I would get a package of disposable diapers. But, really, Tanner was a cloth baby down there. And, he was not potty trained faster so the myth goes. But, hey we were in tropical paradise for 2 years of medical school-
But, sometimes I still wished the cruise ships would take me away and back to the states (okay even to Puerto Rico would have been nice. They had a variety of fast food that was absent where we lived).
As for the woman on the plane? Her husband left her for another woman and she raised 13 children in Utah, 4 of which died, then she remarried and her now husband cheated on her too. But, she stayed with him. And, she had no children with him. Good riddance cloth diapers!

Header fixed- removed poll. Thanks for the responses.

Please take my poll!

The girls told me that my header looked totally skewed. I said no way. It's fine on my computer. Well, when I was away I saw my blog on another computer and it was totally skewed. How embarrassing and what the heck? Tell me how it looks on your computer by answering my poll.
(Sorry, but it has to be as a perfect as I can perfectly make it. I feel like I have been caught with my skirt tucked up in the back.) Thanks.

I'm back

I loved being with the girls. These girls that know me so well and I them. I needed the time with them and look forward to the next annual event- maybe without a baby in tow? It was hard to say goodbye but I was anxious to get back as well. Did I say I love each of you?

Ryan took such good care of the homefront. A birthday party was in place for Landon with the cutest car cakes that Ryan made (I thought he bought them). We held his party over til the next day. It was a long trip back and late already when I got in.

Where's My Peeps?

Emma had a slight meltdown this morning while getting ready for the day. I was luckily able to diffuse the bomb before it caused much damage. The whole thing should have been a “no brainer” sense Lacey laid out 5-6 well matched outfits on Emma’s bed prior to her departure. I casually asked Emma what she would like to wear today pointing to the now limited assortment on her bed. She looked at me and said, “Shicken, daddy” (a.k.a. chicken). I politely ignored her comment and proceeded to hand her a purple shirt and pink shorts from the selection before me. She threw the shirt on the ground and in a louder tone exclaimed “Shicken, Daddy!” “Is she referring to an item of clothing?” I asked myself. “Is there something in her wardrobe with poultry on it? Na, she’s 2, she doesn’t know what she’s saying, right?” As I looked at her perplexed, again she cried out, “Shichen”, know starting to lose it. “Think Ryan, what the heck is she talking about… chicken…chicken?” Then it hit me. “Where’s my Peeps?” She did have a shirt with the before mentioned phrase with a little “chick” on the front. But could I find it. I hurried to the armoire frantically ruffling through stacks of nicely folded clothes. I found what I was looking for and revealed this treasure to Emma and her eyes lit up like Christmas morning. She smiled and sighed, “shicken daddy.” Whew! That was a close one. I’m sure Lacey would have known exactly what she wanted the first time she asked, mothers know those things and Emma’s is no exception.

I know what you’re all thinking, “Wow, two entries in two days. What’s his deal?” I had to keep up the blog in Lacey’s absence, she sets a high standard.

The Non-Rebuttal

I want to update all of you that have been concerned about the safety of my self and two of my three children, Tanner and Emma in the absence of our sweet wife and mother. I am pleased to report that the children are fine. Along with the children, no harm has come to my self, our vehicles, nor any Gamestop establishment. No one has been sited for negligence, child endangerment, nor contacted by law enforcement at any time. There was one incident of a garage door being left open until a call was made by a concerned neighbor at 12:30 AM (thanks neighbor). The garage was checked for stay dogs, cats, and migrant farm workers and no harm came of it. I would like to qualify that this is not a rebuttal to a previous entry but an opportunity to inform the public of our wellbeing.

For those of you wandering how the house hold is fairing with out its heart and soul let me report the following statistics:
1. Number of times the dish washer has run: 0 (paper is our friend)
2. Number of times the washing machine has run: 0 (the clothes look clean to me)
3. Number of times the garbage has been thrown out: 0 (except for poopies from Emma)
4. Number of hair styles Emma has had: 1 (it’s hard to be creative with a moving target.)
5. Number of meals made: 3 (including cereal for breakfast)
6. Number of times Emma has had an “accident” in public with out an extra diaper: 2 (sorry sissy.)
7. Number of hours the TV has been tuned-in to a Football game: data unavailable
8. Number of times the phrase “When’s mommy coming home” has been said: Too many to count.
9. A Dad spending the weekend with his two children: Priceless

I like to think of my parenting style as conservative, very conservative.

We miss our wife and mom. She makes every thing better. Come home safe and soon. We need you, Lay. We miss Landon too.

Love Always,
Ryan and two of your three children, Tanner and Emma

Happy Bithday Landon

I'm about gone, but wanted to make sure I posted something for him. How can I adequately express how grateful I was that he came easy for us? Almost unexpectedly and after a 4 year gap between Tanner and Emma, Landon arrived about 17 months behind her. While I was pregnant with him I had a pretty distinct impression that he was a boy and have not been surprised by his "softer" quality. How can I explain it. Yes he does cry and whine (a lot) but, there is a gentleness about him that is dear to my heart. He uses his pointer fingers, was my first real and timely crawler, has the growls of a little boy, is easily startled, needs little sleep, loved nursing (okay he is still nursing, I'm working on it), and at times still holds his legs and feet all wrapped up just like I imagined him inside.

He arrived almost 4 weeks early. My mom came into town in perfect time ( I cannot sing her praises enough) to help with the kids and when THE DAY came Ryan did not really think I was in labor, even at the hospital he stressed to me to not be "disappointed when they send you home". His highly sensitive physician bed-side manner was ever present (I wanted to whack him with the book he was reading). Yet, Landon did come, just 4 short hours later after being admitted. Ryan says he remembers being "exhausted" ( I think it was from his residency work hours?) But I remember seeing Ryan cry with me as we both realized he looked so much like Tanner, but with dark hair. He weighed in at a hefty 9 pounds 3 ounces and pretty immediately it became apparent that he had some sugar tolerance issues. He stayed in the NICU for 13 long days and I have never wanted anything more than to just bring him home. Although it was an exhausting time, we still had my mom here. My mother-in-law and sister Summer and dear friend Stephanie each said, if you need me I will be on a plane RIGHT NOW and family called all the time to check on us. How much every single gesture meant to me from near and far. Landon came to a home that greatly appreciated him and to the arrival of some of the very best family and friends I could not have hand picked better. May he always know it! May he always, always know how loved he is.

Photo and video editing at www.OneTrueMedia.com

Girls Weekend starts Thursday!

Well, with Landon too.I'm leaving to go to my Aunt Julie's (for those of you that don't know her, she is more like an older sister- just a "bit" older than me.) and to meet my mom and sisters (thanks for the ticket Mom). Looking forward to seeing family in the Bay Area while I'm there. I'll be back on Sunday night (Landon's 1st Birthday). Tanner will be in school and my sweet friend Angela was bullied into helping me with Emma for just part of Thursday and Friday. Ryan can manage the rest of the time- no problem!

Just a short list of things I will gently remind Ryan about:

1. Don't leave the children ALONE in the car (again) that is left in reverse that then rams a Gamestop store at the entrance damaging the front door and scaring our children to DEATH, as well as the attendants in the store, and consequently has cause for the police to come and site you for child endangerment or abandonment with further legal proceedings .
2. Lock the house up when leaving and at night.
3. Feed the kids.
4. Change Emma's diaper- yes I know she is not potty trained yet.
5. Don't lose track of too much time while playing Wii- Tanner does have school on Friday.

Slight name change

I had an "in-house" comment (from someone named Ryan) who said he thought my blog title was LAME. And yes he said this in front of some friends, Ang & Jed. The SHAME. So to appease the king I am no longer, "And the journey goes on..."- okay, I admit, it was a bit cliche. He wanted me to name it "Williams, One Ring to Rule Them All." I said WHAT?- he said, "It's from Lord Of The Rings." So obviously a no go. He's way outvoted. (I know Ang and Jed think that is lame too.)