Grateful Sunday

1. My cell phone. I don't know how I ever survived without texting capabilities. (except for this morning when a text came in on FULL volume seconds after the opening song ended in Sacrament meeting - argh...my own fault). 

2. My girls - you know who you are.  Where would I be without you? My life exists as it is because you have loved me. Through laughter and tears, you have stuck with me. You endure my endless phone calls and drama galore. And all without judgment. What more could I ask? Love your guts, girls.

3. Tess Paskey, my wonder-stylist. I've been with this amazing woman for nearly 10 years. She has become such a good friend, she knows what I want without even needing to say it. Besides, I change my hair every 2 months. I need a superhero to keep up with me...

4. The New Testament. I have such a love for the scriptures. I am currently reading the New Testament, and it is amazing to me how much closer I feel to my Savior by reading about his life. In Matthew, then Mark, oh yes, and then Luke. I find something new every time I read, and it brings such peace into my home.

5. The snow. Have I mentioned how much I love snowboarding? I know, it's been a while, but how I love to feel the wind stinging my face as I race down the slopes on a beautiful sunny day. I have yet to enjoy LIVING in the snow, but I enjoy visiting just fine. 

6. Christmas songs. I have always had a passion for music. I learned the piano and flute as a young child and I've always loved singing and dancing. Especially at this time of year, I love the song Silent Night. It moves my heart every time I hear it. 

7. My piano. How could I mention how much I love music without a nod to my out-of tune, scratched, chipped, hand-me-down piano. I don't care. I just love the way the sound that emanates from the dusty coils vibrates in my ears. 

8. My fireplace. How I love to sit on cold, rainy nights, right in front of the flames for an instantly gratifying heat. I don't have to wait for my own body heat to fill the surrounding area, I can just relax, and most often, fall asleep enjoying the warmth. 

9. President Monson. Is it weird to say that I have looked forward to him being prophet since I was a little girl? I have always been drawn to Thomas S. Monson. His demeanor draws me in and I'm captivated by his stories and sincerity. I have such a special place in my heart for this man, especially as a prophet of God. 

10. Faith. Yes, I'm grateful for faith. Because there are times when life is tough and it seems like things never going to get easier or better. Faith gets me through. When I feel overwhelmed and discouraged, I'm reminded to have faith, and a simple perspective change alters my existence. I'm grateful for faith, and also that we can pray for faith, and it comes. 

More Christmas cheer

Last week I took the boys to the Christmas Train to see Santa. Santa only comes after 5, so it's a chilly adventure in the middle of December, to say the least. The temperature makes no difference when Santa is waiting for you at the end of the windy train ride, though. We waited in line for about 20 minutes, enjoying the lights and music, building the anticipation to see the big guy!

The train and trees are dripping in little twinkling lights. They really make the park look magical.

We finally arrive, and my camera decides to act up. In my anxiety to get the camera working and not make the gobs of people behind me wait, I forget to flip up the flash. Nice. 

That was fun, but I sooo need some hot chocolate 'bout now!

Once Upon a Disney Christmas

Christmastime at Disneyland is one of the most magical sights I've ever witnessed. Fake snow dons the top of the castle, It's a Small World is a whole new holiday wonderland, and there are Disney characters running amok sporting santa hats and scarfs.

We got very lucky recently as we walked in the park to find the Christmas Mickey photo line very short. We hopped right in line, and lil C immediately objected to anything involving a camera OR Mickey Mouse. The whole tantrum routine, you know. I bribe him to stay in the stroller with a sucker until we get all the way up to the front. As I'm readying my camera to capture the holiday moment, I look down to find my stroller flipped backwards on the ground, and Caleb snuggled so deep in Mickey's arms I could barely see his little body. He has this magical moment with the sweetest Mickey I've ever seen. Mickey holds his (or, more likely, her) hand out for Trey who has his reservations, but captivated, tentatively creeps in for a photo. 

Christmas Mickey rocks.

Haven't we had enough 8 already?

8 Fave TV shows:

1. Amazing Race (the only reality show I've ever considered subjecting myself to applying for)

2. Lipstick Jungle (representin' for Cashmere Mafia too. RIP)

3. Man vs. Wild  - and boy is he.

4. The New Adventures of Old Christine - LOVE Elaine, and laughing so hard it hurts. Perfect combo

5. Extreme Makeover Home Edition : my weekly dose of happy tears.

6. Survivor - STILL can't get enough

7. The Office - how could this not be in your top 8? What's not to like?

8. Pushing Daisies. love love love

8 Favorite Restaurants:

1. CPK - cause we'd wither away and die at our house without Kids Curly Mac and Cheese.

2. Chipotle - been a faithful follower since the Irvine conception. Yumm-o.

3. Beach Pit - little slice of heaven in Newport Beach.

4. El Cholo - Only the originals in LA. Something happened when they moved to Irvine.

5. BJ's - never in my life have i been willing to surrender body parts for dessert b4 BJ's. Pizzokies are a life experience everyone should have.

6. Northwood Pizza - Just call me wt. i don't care. How many of you can walk 2 minutes for hot, fresh, yummy pizza. AND have a cute boy smile at you while he hands you your call-in-order cheese pizza?

7. Benihanas: many happy memories...

8. Hali'imaile General Store: on the road to Hana. Amazing gourmet oddity in the middle of the jungle, in the middle of Maui. I'd buy a plane ticket just for a meal here. 

8 Things that Happened yesterday:

1. Sat inches from a Clydesdale horse's butt for a ride down Main Street, Disneyland. I felt like an ignorant tourist...but kinda liked it!

2. Watched my kids polish off their 900th plate of DiDi pasta. Gag. Don't know why they still fancy the stuff after this many years.

3. Took a bath. With fabulous grapefruit bubble bath from Origins (i could die a happy woman in that store). Had to wash away the smell of horse butt.

4. Fed our newest addition to the family: Aladdin, our blue/black Gourami fish. Caleb's cannibal Gourami (Tigger) killed and ate Trey's previous fish, Genie Blue Train. 

5. Wasted like 3 hours on Facebook.

6. Got my boys' clothes out for church and thought how huge they are. Why do they have to grow so fast? 

7. Didn't do laundry (I was on Facebook, remember?). 

8. Walked across the street to Northwood pizza where a cute boy smiled as he handed me my call-ahead order of a large cheese pizza. Pretty good end to a pretty good day!!

8 Things I am Looking Forward to:

1. Christmas. I LOVE seeing my kids faces when they open their gifts. That's my favorite Christmas gift.

2. Caleb being at least 40 inches tall so we can FINALLY ride some decent rides together at Disneyland!!

3. Trey being 46 inches so he can ride Indiana Jones already and stop asking me every day if he's tall enough and please measure him again to be sure. 

4. Summer - I miss the warm beach and Wild Rivers. Flip flops, sunscreen, tan little backs, shorts, and sunhats. Everything that is summer in Southern California.

5. Going to the temple. Doesn't get any better. Well, it does, but not here.

6. 24 Hour Fitness Group Expedition. We get new choreography, and I really need something new. It's been WAY too long.

7. Twilight Monday with the girls. Giddy giggle...

8. NO MORE DIAPERS!!

8 Things on my Wish List:

1. IKEA kids round table.

2. Own a home (don't care where).

3. New couches (11 1/2 years and still counting).

4. Weekly date nites.

5. Snowboarding this winter. And being able to take Trey with me. I think he'd rock the slopes.

6. Vacation with the whole fam. It's been quite a while...

7. The people I love to know how much I love them. 

8. To finish the New Testament b4 2009.

8 People I'm tagging:

1. Randi m

2. Lea - you need an update, darling (almost as bad as me...)

3. Michelle

4. Karlea

5. Wendy Frenchy

6. Whit

7. Nicki

8. Judy

Five Alive

My sweet Treyden,

How I pray each day I can show you how much I have loved you for 5 amazing years of living. You are so easy to love! You are always right there with a smile, hug, thumbs up, high five, or a kiss on the nose. Your sense of humor is unrivaled. You bring a laugh to my soul each day I have the privilege of spending with you.

You have such a contagious passion to run and jump and play. You exude such joy and love of life. You love to laugh, and are rarely found with a scowl or tears on your face (and if so, not for long). 

Caleb has adored you since the day he was born, and it's no question why. You care for your little brother with such dedication and sincerity. He is your best friend, and you frequently tell (and show) me so. 

You have the most obedient spirit. You make me look like such a great mom, and yet I know the secret: you came this way. No matter how many mistakes I make as your mother, no matter how impatient I am, you give me 100%, and you ALWAYS forgive. You have such a gift for forgiveness and meekness of heart. And always with sincerity. I see so much of my Savior in you. And don't ever forget: you came this way.

You accomplish the impossible by being inherently obedient and having a free spirit at the same time. You will try anything once. You love most anything quirky, unexpected, or out of the ordinary, and you have a WICKED memory. I have to be vigilant in my conversations with you, because you'll remember I promised you a Pump it Up Party a year ago, and you hold me to that promise.

I cannot help but smile when I see your adorable dimples. Your smile is impossibly contagious.

You have developed such an affinity for superheros, and the reason is simple; the greatest strengths you possess are superhero worthy. You are definitely one of my personal heros.
When you are sleepy, you can and will fall asleep anywhere, and arousing you from sleep is not possible. On the other hand, when you wake in the morning, you are bright and bushy tailed from the word go. 

Your gorgeous brown hair is the envy of any coif-savvy adult. And you love your long hair, even in the dead of summer. It is your trademark, and I love it, even when it takes 5 minutes just to rinse the shampoo out of your hair. 

You LOVE the water, and this last summer you taught yourself how to swim. The lessons you took after you had learned this skill only built your confidence in the water. I can't keep you away from any body of water, no matter how small.

You aren't the best eater, but you have a love for chocolate like I've never seen before. There are days I look at the lunch I've packed for you, and every food group involves chocolate. 

You have developed a love for rollercoasters this year. As your increasing height allowed you access to more and more attractions at Disneyland, you have braved them with admirable courage, and it kills you that Caleb isn't able to join you.

You have touched the hearts of so many in your 5 years, most of all, mine. I love you more than any mother has ever loved her child, and I thank Heavenly Father every day for your love. Happy 5th Birthday, T!