Christmas

I really hate that Christmas is over. I truly look forward to it all year. We spent our Christmas break back and forth between the cabin, and Dal's family in Rigby. The boys weren't too sure what all the Christmas hoopla was all about, but they had a blast playing with cousins, opening presents, and playing with everyone else's toys. Note to self: buy the same toys for both boys, and buy exactly whatever cool toy the cousins are getting.

My favorite thing this year was Kai saying "Merry Christmas tree" to everyone, instead of just Merry Christmas.

Christmas 2012 can't come soon enough!

Traditions and Christmas lights

Growing up, we always had lots of traditions that we did every year. From parades, to baking, and Christmas caroling on a school bus, there was always lots to do to get us in the Christmas spirit. 

This is our first year living away, and I have realized that now it is up to me to create fun, and memorable traditions for our family to look forward to every year. 

Dallin and I both wanted to make going to see the lights a tradition that we started last year. I love that we now live so close to Temple Square. There is always such a special spirit there. 

The boys were all bundled up, and ready for dinner. It was freezing!!

Even though it was crazy busy, and we couldn't feel our toes, I'm so glad we made the trip down to see the lights. Just being on Temple Square helps you remember the true meaning of Christmas. 

Christmas time is a time of family, and I sure look forward to the traditions that we will create together. 

Holiday haircuts

Pre-haircut madness.

I have practically refused to cut the boys hair for a very long time, hoping that they could effortlessly pull off the long shag like little gap models. They are the cutest boys in town, but they were starting to look somewhat homeless. You would think that after giving haircuts to hundreds of little boys, that cutting my boys hair would be so simple. Wrong. Wrong. Wrong. 

Well, the shag had gone far enough. It didn't lay like little gap model hair. It was time. I got my game face on, gave myself a pep talk, and took a deep breath. There was no turning back. After 50 packs of hairy fruit snacks, screaming, tears, and Dal holding their heads with all his might, our boys now look like they have signed up for the army. (Please don't call Child Protective Services on us.) I was going as short as possible, because it was going to be a very, very long time before I get up the strength to do it again. 

Good thing they are so cute.  I now know it is possible to love short haired little boys even more than I had loved the homeless-shag babies. Very thankful we survived this years holiday haircuts. 

I will post pictures after they get out of therapy from post-haircut-trauma. Bring on the holidays!

Quiet time

Quiet time usually equals trouble.

But quiet time can often be oh-so-sweet. 

I find myself searching for little activities and outings to do with the boys. The other day, I had this ingenious idea to take them to the library. I thought, my kids love books! Why not make a fun afternoon out of it? 

Well, that was a horrible idea. I couldn't help but laugh at the circus I was pushing around in a double stroller as others quietly read, studied, and stared. 

Kai would yell with excitement as he turned the pages of Thomas The Train books. Cal cried for a nap, a bottle, and to get out of the library. I handed out grapes, drinks, and suckers to promote reverence in a library with a "no food" policy. Oops. I then headed for the parenting section in hopes of finding the book "Parenting For Dummies."

I am thankful for the quiet moments I find them reading books together. 

It makes wild adventures, like going to the library, totally worth it.

Victory

All I wanted was ONE. One cheesy cellphone picture of us at the basketball game. Impossible.
But when I look at this picture, I think it totally captures the way life is right now.

We were able to make a trip up to Logan this weekend to see Utah State vs. BYU. As previously mentioned, my little ones aren't too fond of sitting still, or being confined. I gave myself a pep talk on the way there, and knew I would be spending a majority of the game walking the halls. When I saw that our tickets were in the middle of the row, I knew this was going to be a death sentence.

We got situated in our seats, and the boys were mesmerized with the band, the crowd, the cheering, and the game! Half time came and went, and we were still sitting in our seats with two happy boys. What?! Kai loved clapping with everyone, and Cal enjoyed the the loads of snacks and juice I had packed.

The Aggie crowd was so fun, and I couldn't help but laugh at the things they yelled at the Cougs. 

We cheered for both teams, but the Aggies took the win. 

 But, the biggest victory of the night? 

We made it through the entire game! 

And that is a victory worth celebrating.

Sunday.

I wake up thinking that this week will be better.

This week, we will be able to stay through all our meetings.

Kai will let us leave him in nursery.

Cal will magically fall asleep in my arms during Sacrament meeting.

The bag of tricks and treats I bring will keep them quietly occupied.

I will be able to listen.

Dal will be able to sit next to me, and not out in the hall.

This week, the man in front of us won't glare at me, making me question my mothering skills.

I won't leave church feeling like a complete failure because my kids don't think reverence is cool.

But no.

This week it didn't happen, last week it sure didn't happen, and the week before, yeah right!

Instead the hubs gets a new calling, and I get two.

It is easier to stay home.

They get their naps, don't have to share nursery toys and germs, sit still, or be quiet.

But no.

I still continue to hope.

I know it is just a phase.

We will continue to drag our little boys to church every. single. week.

Because next week will be better...

Baby Graham

This was an experience I never want to forget. 

I had the opportunity to spend the night with baby Graham at Primary Children's Hospital so his mommy could go home. I have prayed for this little baby who is fighting cancer every day, and was anxious to help in any way I could. I had been up to take Sadie lunch before, so I knew some of what I was up for mentally, but not spiritually.  I had freshly washed every piece of my clothing and body. I did not want to be the one who got this little guy sick. When it came time for me to head to the hospital, I was so nervous.  What if something went wrong? I prayed for comfort. 

The minute I pulled into the parking lot, sick children and grieving parents were everywhere. As I had to follow a crying mother into the hospital, the tears started to flow. Riding in the elevator with a lady who was on the phone so discouraged made me want to hug her and take some of her pain away.  Had I really been complaining about having to change 12 diapers that day?

I made my way to ICS and scrubbed down my hands and arms, then added two helpings of hand sanitizer. I put my mask on, and was greeted by Sadie and sweet Graham. I felt like I would need a class on how to hold him so I didn't mess up his feeding tube or line. Sadie left me with a few instructions, and handed baby Graham off to me. She had just told me that they have an extra blanket in the closet if this one falls on the floor, and if his binki fell on the ground it needed to be washed really well with hot, soapy water. Within seconds of her handing him over to me, his blanket fell on the ground, and just as she was heading out the door, so did the binki. Just my luck. I swear, I have held a baby before! 

We spent the evening watching Baby Einstein's, looking out the window, and rocking. He is so mellow and calm. There was an overwhelming feeling of peace in the room. I know he has angels watching over him. As I rocked him to sleep, I couldn't help but study the perfect little baby, who was fighting for his life. I only had to watch him get two shots, some oral meds, and having dinner given to him through a tube, but that about killed me. I don't know how Sadie does it. My favorite thing about him was the way he would hold his special blanket over his head to hide any time a nurse or doctor came into the room. Poor boy has had to deal with them way too much. 

This experience changed me.  It has inspired me to be more proactive in serving others. When we were at the benefit dinner for Graham a few weeks ago, I couldn't believe how far they had come. I cried through the entire thing, and could barely touch my food. I need to celebrate each day, and not take our health for granted. 

Spending the time I did with Graham did more for me than it could have ever done for his family. It really helped put things into perspective for me. I am so thankful that Graham is improving every day, and after spending so many months in the hospital, they are now home. I was telling Sadie that I couldn't believe how strong she has been through all of this. She said, "You don't think you are strong, until being strong is your only choice." I hope that I could be the kind of mother she has been if a trial like this ever comes our way.

Go Baby Graham!

You can donate to the Graham Schanz foundation at www.helpgraham.org.