2020, Week 9

I like the idea of journaling each week but haven't yet figured out a format I love.  Forgive me as my thoughts are all over the place.

A few highlights from the week:

• Sunday night TJ and I joined Nana and Papa at the Tabernacle for a fireside.  Papa sang in the choir and they were magnificent: it was such a treat to hear him sing in that sacred building.  

• Tuesday morning we drove to Orem to be with our sweet new nephew, Oliver.  My sister ran errands while we held that precious one month old.  Reed especially loved meeting him.

• My dad had a knee replacement on Tuesday and - after TJ worked a long day - I was able to go visit him in the hospital that evening.  He is an incredible man.  My heart just filled with love for him as I watched him greet every visitor to his room with a "Good morning!" and crack jokes as they poked and prodded him.  He did a very brisk walk around the floor while I was there and I tried to help him with techy stuff.  I was so glad I could go.

• Wednesday my niece opened her mission call!  She is heading to the Guam Micronesia mission at the end of July and I felt all the emotions as I watched her and my sister as she read it.  So much bravery and courage.  What an adventure up ahead!

• We made it to story time at the library with Miss Allison, who we adore.  

• A few days were 50 degrees - HOORAY!  We spent a lot of time outside, walking (with Reed riding his scooter), digging in the dirt, visiting Nana, and TJ and I even spent our date night walking for an hour at Daybreak lake.  It was really glorious.

TJ

Work has gotten crazy - and pretty miserable - for TJ over the past week or two.  He's putting in long, stressful hours and comes home pretty beat each day.  He did get a new electric toothbrush (that Reed calls a "fuzzy" toothbrush) and is trying out new hairdos with his hair a little bit longer.  He knocked out our taxes on Saturday night and even booked our flights for Mexico in June!  He's been enjoying the mint cookies and cream ice cream I got him.  

Rachel

I am adoring this sunshine and even spent one nap time just reading on the back porch.  I've also been pretty concerned about coronavirus (that is just starting to spread throughout the US) and spent many hours (...and dollars) last week shopping.  My goal is for us to be able to comfortably hunker down for 6-ish weeks and I think we're nearly there.  My old boss reached out to ask if I want to start working again and I'm mulling that over - pros and cons both ways and I'm trying to decide which way to go.  I finished the 2018 scrapbook I've been working on for months and just need to get up the energy to edit (all 440 pages of) it.  

Reed

On Wednesday I was very late getting Reed down for his nap and - after fighting him unsuccessfully for some time - ended up bagging the whole thing.  He's only missed his nap a handful of times in his nearly three years and he did great.  We started bedtime early (around 6) and he slept soundly from about 7-6:30.  Thursday I let him choose if he wanted to nap and when he opted to skip it we enjoyed the 6:30 bedtime again (the standard for the past few months has been between 8-9).  Friday we started doing quiet time, which we worked up as a thrilling opportunity to play whatever he wants in his room by himself.  You know what?  He's doing great!  He's been in his room for nearly an hour now and has only come out once to ask for help with his audiobook.  (Make that twice: he just sauntered into the room and said, "Mom, I just came to visit you.")  TJ and I are loving the earlier bedtimes and we are all waking up happier to see each other at 6:30 when he comes into our room.

During Reed's first quiet time he played with his Legos and - after some hard work - came to tell me all his "guys" were taking naps.  Here they are, all lined up, sleeping.

Holland

Our sweet girl had a rough week and I blame teething.  For the past two weeks her top two teeth have been poking through and when I just looked before her nap (she HATES having us look) I am nearly positive she's got all four top teeth coming in.  So.  No wonder!  She did clearly say, as I went to put her down, "Nuh nigh" to Reed, which was both darling and exciting. 

Her cries told me where she was stuck.

2020, Week 7

In the dead of winter I'm not sure there's anything better for my soul than warm, sun-filled days.  We were lucky to spend the better part of this week in southern California, joining TJ's parents in a house there while we all visited TJ's sister and her family.  We flew down Wednesday and returned late Sunday night and I wore shorts - glorious shorts - every day we were there.

Wednesday - we were the very last ones to board the flight heading down (which I fear gave Nana quite a fright!)  After landing we drove down Pacific Coast Highway, gawking at the beauty of the beaches and the ocean, as the kids napped in the JEEP WRANGLER the rental car company gave us.  Huntington Beach was so incredibly beautiful.  Made me want to move there!  We met Nana and Papa at the park near Sara's house and all the kids played together outside (while I spent a while on the phone helping my parents book a direct flight home from their cruise, given how poorly my dad was feeling).  TJ helped Colette build a little house out of twigs, the boys took turns driving Wesley's little Jeep (sometimes with screaming involved) and dumped water and mud all over the volleyball court, and all of us soaked in sunshine.  We met sweet Olive with her wild hair :) and sat and chat and enjoyed being there.  Papa and TJ picked up dinner while Nana and I drove the kids home (somehow arriving after them) and we did dinner and bed!

Thursday - after a low key morning we headed to the beach!  I'm not sure what I was thinking but I didn't actually pack any beach things, so I went to Target and spent $300 on swimsuits and hats and toys and was pleasantly surprised that we found functional things for TJ, Reed, and Holland.  I did self checkout and failed to remove the ink tags from my stuff, so saved us some money there.  :)  Maybe because it was 60 degrees out (and 59 in the water) and a week day, we had the beach to ourselves!  It was pretty amazing.  Colette and Wesley ran straight into the water, leaving Wesley shivering in towels for the remaining 2 hours and 58 minutes we were there.  Reed could not get enough of digging in the dirt and Holland ate what probably amounted to half a cup of sand, her little hands shoving fistful after fistful into her mouth.  TJ and I traded off using our new camera, trying to figure out the right settings to capture all that goodness with those people we so love.  

Took this one my phone as we were walking to the beach then used the camera the rest the trip, but I'm too lazy to pull the camera out for a better picture.  Ha!

Both our kids loved the water.  :)  It took Reed a while to warm up to the idea of going in but then he insisted on standing on shore - letting the waves wash over his legs - until he couldn't walk he was so cold.  Holland kicked like crazy while the water came near and did not want to leave it.  Just before we were leaving I told TJ to catch a few waves on the boogie board.  He was brave and jumped in and came in smiling.  After watching him a few times Reed said he wanted a turn and laid right down on the board!  We helped him ride a few waves before getting him showered off and wrapped in a towel to get warm.  Mexico is going to be a blast with these kids!

Friday - we headed out first thing to the Irvine Spectrum Mall with Nana and Papa (where I returned the $200 of stuff we didn't use to Target).  The mall is largely outdoors and has loads of fun things.  Reed started on the playground and then we headed over to the carousel.  [While there we got a phone call from sweet Julianne who was at our house delivering us lobster tails as a Valentine's Day gift!  Can you believe that?  Gosh, we love her.]  Reed was so stoic on the carousel I don't think he smiled once, though he did love it.  Holland was a bit more expressive, especially when I ran around the carousel a few times keeping up with her as she rode with TJ.  After the carousel we headed to the Ferris wheel.  Reed has been wanting to ride the Ferris wheel at Scheel's but Holland isn't tall enough to go on it and Reed can't go alone, so this was especially thrilling for him.  All six of us fit in one bucket (what's the right name for that??) and we had spectacular views as we went around a few times.  I also realized I have a decent fear of heights, ha!  

Just steps away from the Ferris wheel is a Haagen Dazs, the source of Nana and Papa's favorite dessert in all the land.  We all got ice cream and sat in the sun, letting Holland crawl around the pristine turf, taking pictures, and chatting.  Reed's ice cream had a big spoonful of mini M&Ms on it and he was content to just spoon those off and ignore the ice cream.  :)  

After Friday naps all the Muirs (including Kipp!) came to the rental house where we had a pretty delicious dinner together.  The kids ran around like banshees and the games we hoped to play together never happened, but it was a good get together regardless.  

We were lucky to be in town for citrus season and there were trees everywhere just dripping oranges and lemons.  The trees came in every shape and size and they were gorgeous.  The backyard of our rental house had an orange tree overflowing with fruit and Colette climbed it and threw down dozens of oranges.  TJ persuaded her to pick them all up by telling her he'd make fresh orange juice: bless him for spending a good hour hand squeezing orange after orange for everyone's enjoyment at dinner.  

Saturday - the Muirs had plans with Kipp's family all day so we headed out with Nana and Papa to Irvine Regional Park, which we had heard so much about.  What a park!  It was pretty unbelievable.  We went on the train first thing - it was leaving about 4 minutes after we parked - and had a great ride.  It was especially exciting for Reed.  After the train we went over for pony rides (where Holland missed out because the minimum age is one).  TJ led Reed's pony around and Reed had a great time on his horse (Gypsy).  We walked along beautiful paths to get to the zoo, stopping to look at birds on the way.  There are a number of woodpeckers throughout the park and Poppy played a woodpecker sound from his bird app and a half dozen woodpeckers came right over!  We also spotted wood ducks and cormorants and a heron at the lakes.  

The little zoo was a perfect fit for us.  It was just $2 to get in and really small, making it super accessible!  Peacocks, bears, a bald eagle, a golden eagle, snakes, mountain lions, porcupines - it was a neat place.  One of the zookeepers was out holding a falcon that we could see up close and Reed just soaked everything in - he was especially fond of the button at one exhibit that played different bird calls and pushed it probably 25 times.  Holland was exhausted and fell asleep in TJ's arms which is a real rarity (it's still more likely for Reed to fall asleep in our arms than Holland).

As we were walking towards the parking lot to leave Reed asked to ride one of the surreys the park rents out.  As I debated whether to push for naps or ride the surrey I couldn't help but think, "Live in anticipation of the memory."  Rentals were half off before noon so at 11:58 we rented a surrey that held all six of us and spent 30 minutes pedaling around the park, pausing frequently for breaks from fatigue.  Ha!  Those suckers are not easy to pedal.  My favorite stop was when we saw a man with a huge camera lens - he was shooting a barn owl, perched in a tree about 20 feet from the ground!  Poppy said it's pretty rare for them to be seen during the day so we stopped and looked at it for a few minutes.  So gorgeous.  

While the kids took (3+ hour) naps Nana and Papa went out for acai bowls.  When they got home we grabbed dinner for the kids and TJ and I got to go on a date of our own!  I really wanted to go to a place called South of Nick's but they were booked solid from 6-10 PM!  Can you believe that?  We went to another place called True Food Kitchen, which was delicious.  When we go back we're getting a double order of those brussels sprouts.  :)  

Sunday - we got everything packed up (thanks in large part to Nana and Papa) and left the house by 9:15 to get to the Muirs for baby Olive's blessing!  Austin - who was in town for a cheer competition - grabbed an Uber to join us at Sara and Kipp's house.  Kipp's parents and a couple cousins were also there.  It was a really beautiful blessing and we were so glad we were able to attend.  We took some pictures afterwards and TJ and I took our kids to Sacrament meeting while Nana took Papa to the airport (he had a required choir practice at the tabernacle and needed to be home early).  

After church we stopped at Cava (delicious Cava) for a long lunch before driving Pacific Coast Highway again.  Our hope was for both kids to get long naps and Reed complied beautifully, sleeping peacefully through Holland's singing and humming and yelling and crying and talking (she stayed awake the full 90 minutes).  We got gas and returned the rental car - and still Reed slept!  We were flying out of LGB, which is a tiny airport, so I stayed at the car while TJ went and checked our luggage.  We opened the back window of the Jeep and let Holland just play back there - and still Reed slept.  He probably slept for an hour after we parked, airplane and car noises, Holland playing, and us opening and closing doors to consolidate our packing notwithstanding.  What a kid.  We headed in the airport, got through security, and were the last ones to board the flight (again!) about ten minutes later.  :)  Holland was so tired but couldn't sleep on the flight - she fell asleep within about two minutes of getting into her car seat in the van.

As I think about the week I realize that we didn't do anything really big or grand but I think it's the little moments like these - a ride around the Ferris wheel, an afternoon at the beach, a surrey ride through the park, fresh squeezed orange juice - that stick out in memories.  So grateful to have all these experiences to remember and cherish!

2020, Week 6

So many highlights from the past week here.

• TJ, Holland, and Reed spent most of the week sick.  The kids are now nearly back to 100% but TJ has spent the past three nights sleeping propped up on the couch with a terrible cough.  We're all grateful I've stayed healthy.
• We had a big snowstorm roll in Sunday night that dropped quite a bit of snow across the valley.  Our yard had between 6-8 inches, but both our parents' houses got 10-12 inches and on the east side there were homes (in Sandy!) with 24 inches.  School was canceled in several districts and TJ's evening class was canceled at Westminster.  While Holland napped Reed and I shoveled snow together.  What a difference it makes to have warm clothes when you're outside!
• We made Reed his first hot chocolate on Tuesday.  He drank it for a minute.  :)
• Wednesday was still cold so we burned time in the morning at Scheels where Reed and I lived wild and rode the escalators while Holland sat on the main floor and watched us!  It may have been one of the more thrilling moments of Reed's life (he LOVES the escalators but we almost always have the stroller).  Cute Holland loved watching the fish and the ferris wheel.  I also loved that when I was taking this picture Reed said to me "Someone is waving at me - that grandma over there."  Apparently a woman that was there was waving from behind me - ha!

• Thursday morning TJ drove us through a snowstorm for Reed's doctor appointment at Primary Children's.  We're trying to figure out what's going on with his legs.  It took over an hour to get there and then was nearly an hour wait, which made for a long morning.  The kids did great and the doctor was so wonderful (but has no idea what's going on).  

• Thursday evening the kids went to bed at Nana and Papa's house so we could surprise our favorite babysitter and take us to a play WITH us.  We so loved The Man With the Pointed Toes that we saw it twice and got some good laughs both times.
• Friday night we did a triple date at our house after the kids went to bed, welcoming the Merkleys and Curtises for snacks, games, and a lot of chatting.  We love both couples and had a great night (even though we stayed up way too late).
• Saturday morning we went to a family concert at BYU featuring their folk music groups.  Both kids loved it and TJ and I so enjoyed seeing them take right to something we love so much!
• Saturday afternoon TJ and I went back down to BYU to see Hamlet, set in a modern setting (with Hamlet as a skater) using the original text.  I didn't know the story beforehand and had no idea everyone dies.  We had some good discussions about what we think Shakespeare was trying to teach with that one.
• I want to remember how Reed says "I don't know" as "ah no" and the way he pretends to be various construction things ("I'm jackhammer" as he hits a rolling pin on the floor, turned vertically, or "I'm grader" as he rolls a laundry basket across the floor or "I'm log loader" as he grabs Holland's leg).
• Holland gave up nursing - cold turkey - on Tuesday night, making us both quite miserable for the rest of the week.  I've tried so many times to get her to eat but she just screams, so we're calling it good and moving on.  We've had a couple rough nights as she learns to sleep without that milk and my body is adjusting slowly, but we both seem to be doing better.  I mentioned to TJ last night that it's been more than 3 years that I've been nursing or pregnant, so this is quite an adjustment. 
• I've been working HARD on getting our 2018 book finished and opened the book last Sunday night to see all the pictures gone!  TJ spent quite a while working on it and recovered an earlier version that was only missing a month, so I've redone that month and am now about 80% done with the whole thing.  I'm trying to finish quickly, both because I have a hard time working on them in the summer (when the sun is shining) and because I now feel paranoid about losing it again!

The Ball Doesn't Matter

Before we had kids TJ and I loved going on late night walks in the summer.  It's so pleasant to be out in the cool air, watching the sun set, holding hands, and talking.  With temperatures around 97 during the day, it's just a treat to be out when it's not so hot.  We rarely get out for those late walks anymore: Reed typically goes to bed around 7:30 and we'd rather have him get his sleep and be cheerful the next day than watch the sun set.  So we skip the walks for now.  (I love to remember that life is long - those walks will be back before we know it). 

On an atypically mild evening a few weeks ago we loaded Holland into the stroller and let Reed bring his new orange scooter for a walk.  We're practicing teaching Reed about sidewalks and the road and not crossing without one of us, so we go way out of our way to stop at every street crossing (even in the neighborhoods) look for moving cars (had to add moving in there because that boy sees every vehicle, stationary or not), and then hold one of our hands to cross.  All that to say, it's pretty slow going when Reed isn't in the stroller.  :) 

About halfway through the walk we turned onto a long street where two kids were playing on the sidewalk: they had two tennis rackets out and were hitting a ball back and forth.  Since we were moving slowly we had time to watch them and figure out they were brother and sister, the boy a little bit older, probably around 8 or 9 years old.  We passed them on the sidewalk and after we got about fifteen feet away heard the boy yell to his sister, "Stop!  The ball doesn't matter!"  I turned around to see that the boy - who had been facing his sister - had seen a car coming that his sister was blind to.  When the ball had gone into the street she went to run for it and he yelled his warning (which she thankfully heeded).  It hit me pretty immediately what a wise brother he was and what a profound statement he made.

I've thought about those words dozens of times since.  TJ and I mulled them over the rest of the walk and he actually used that story in church the following Sunday. 

So much to ponder: an older brother who sees things we don't see and warns us - sometimes urgently - "Stop!  That doesn't matter."  Maybe something we're worrying about is simply not significant in the big picture.  Maybe we're spending time on things that are damaging our spirits.  Maybe we aren't looking our kids in the eyes - truly looking at them, devices far away - and giving them our full attention.  Maybe the things we read or watch are pulling us down instead of lifting us up.  Maybe it doesn't really matter the last time the floor was mopped or the baseboards scrubbed or the flower beds weeded. 

Are we taking time to think about what really does matter?  Are we spending time on the things that are consequential?  Don't get me wrong - I don't think the goal is to be going and accomplishing and doing the most possible each day.  But I think it's good to pause every once in a while, reflect, and consider whether we are getting nudges about things that simply don't matter so we can adjust our course.

A few minutes after Holland was born - I love this picture that captures one of those moments when time stands still.  Right here Holland is all that matters.