One Year

We have a lot of anniversaries at our house.  Wedding.  Day we Met.  First Date.  Five Birthdays.  Two Adoption Finalizations.  Two Sealings.  And the day we took custody of Reese and Jessenia.  January 21st.  One year ago today, Reese and Jessenia moved into our home forever.  Has it really been a year? Has it only been a year?
Today comes with a sense of relief.  We have made it through a year full of events and holidays.  There is no more pressure of the first Christmas or the first summer or the first birthday celebration.
I feel like I spent most of the first year figuring out what the heck I was doing and feeling like a total and utter failure.  I haven't felt like a failure as a mother in a while though.  I think that means I am finally figuring something out (at least for today...before it suddenly changes and once again I have no idea what I am doing).
I was thinking about the significance of today when Reese ran up to me and started "Mom, can....".  I have no idea how that sentence was finished, but it started with Mom.  A year ago Mack and I were lying in bed trying to figure out the best strategy to get Reese and Jessenia to refer to us as Mom and Dad.  Heck, we were trying to figure out what we were going to call them.  And now it is all so normal.  It's just life.
At church yesterday a man asked me, "Have you gotten used to having a instant family yet?"  I felt like I had a family back when I was single and back when it was just Mack and I, so I don't totally agree with the question.  But I answered, "Yeah.  As much as anyone ever gets used to it."  Heavenly Father knew what He was doing when He organized us into families.  He knew what He was doing when I was born to my parents.  He knew what He was doing when Mack and I met, fell in love, and decided to get married.  He knew what He was doing when we spent many a night crying because we couldn't get pregnant.  And He definitely knew what He was doing when he placed three precious children into our home.  Forever.
So I guess that means, one year down and forever to go.

Resolutions

I love goals.  Mack probably gets sick of me trying to make goals for us/me/him all the time.  I don't need a new year to make a new goal.  But I still like to take advantage of the fresh slate that is a new year and make some goals.
The universal 'they' say that if you tell people your goals, you are more likely to follow through.  So here we go.  I try to make a spiritual goal, a physical goal, an educational goal, and a social goal each year.  That makes for a lot of goals, but some of them are pretty fun, so it's ok.
1.  Read the entire Standard Works in 2013.  For those of you who are not members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints the Standard Works refers to all of the books of scripture that the LDS church uses.  This includes the Bible, Book of Mormon, Doctrine and Covenants, and Pearl of Great Price.  It's a bit of a lofty goal, I realize.  I attempted this goal back in 2011 and made it through the Book of Mormon in a month and a half and was trucking through the Doctrine and Covenants when Brisbane was born in March.  That put a screeching halt to this goal.  But I still want to see if I can do it.  When I told Mack I was making goals he guessed this would be one of them.  It's a tough challenge but also a great experience to read the scriptures each day and ponder those powerful words.  And for those who are wondering, you need to read about 7 and a half pages a day to complete this.  I am already behind.  But instead of viewing being behind as a sign of certain failure, I am thinking it is only January...so I have 11 months to catch up.  Easy Peasy!
2.  Play with my kids for 30 minutes two days a week.  That sounds super lame.  I do activities with my kids almost every day.  We just started practicing a letter a week to prepare Reese for kindergarten.  We do a science experiment one day a week.  We try to conquer an art project each week.  And Brisbane and I create massive chaos while Reese and Jessenia are at school.  But I rarely sit down and play with the kids and their toys.  I want to do more of that.  I think it will help them play if I model for them each week.  And hopefully for those 30 minutes, we will have less fights.  My goal is just for two days because we are so busy with so many things that I thought this was reasonable.
3.  Take Zippy for a walk three days a week.  Poor Zippy.  She spends a lot of time outside but she doesn't get too many walks.  Brisbane and I are going to try to incorporate this into our schedule while the other two are at school.  I just thought it would be nice.
4.  Get together with my friends.  I feel like I have lots of friends.  But we never hang out.  I think it is a curse of motherhood.  So many different schedules, millions of errands, nap times, lunch times, houses to clean, meals to make.  It just makes it hard to get together.  Mack and I have couples that are our friends but evenings are so busy that we rarely get together.  I feel like we have already been better about social time this year.  I re-started a playgroup.  And some of my girlfriends and I are getting together once a month for lunch.  (If you live near me and think that you would enjoy either of these things...let me know... I am still working on getting the word out, but nobody is excluded).  This goal isn't really measurable.  Just something I want to work on.
5.  Support Mack with his new eating habits.  I hesitate to call this a diet, since it really is a lifestyle change.  Mack's family has a history of heart disease and when Mack had his cholesterol tested a few months ago he learned that it was pretty high (at least higher than he wanted it to be).  So Mack is taking extreme measures.  He is on a plant based diet.  Basically it is vegan (no meat, eggs, dairy) except that he can eat honey and he does not eat anything with added fat.  So if oil is listed as an ingredient on an item, he doesn't eat it.  It's a pretty strict diet but he is doing really well.  I only follow the diet for breakfast and lunch.  Mack's goal is to follow the diet 98% of the time (so he can cheat about 20 meals a year).  I cheat way more than he does and negatively influence him to have a treat when he is at a party or something.  Moderation, right?  I am really proud of him and hope that he gets the results he wants.  I have an invested interest in Mack living a long time and so I am trying to be 200% supportive.
I have other minor goals.  I want to always be working on a project.  I want to read more.  I need an exercise goal (other than walking Zippy) but I sprained my ankle right before Christmas and it was hard for me to come up with a goal when I could barely even walk.  So that is just kind of vague.  Exercise.... sometime....eventually....when you can.  We also have financial goals (that Mack's new 'eating habits' are blowing out of the water).  I have goals for my calling at church.  And goals for my relationships with family near and far.  I am already so excited about this year and all the things I want to do.  And the beauty of it is, I really feel like I can.
Here's to a great 2013!

The Rest of Christmas

The rest of the time we were in Carlsbad, we mostly just hung around the house and played with our new toys.  We did venture out to the park one day for about 30 minutes.  But the gleam of those shiny new toys, drew us back.

One of the ladies that I Visit Teach gave each of the kids flashlights for Christmas.  That's right.  A person that I go and visit gave each of my children gifts.  She is amazing.  And also happened to be Jessenia and Brisbane's nursery leader.  All of the kids love her (and her husband. and her daughter.)!

 The kids can't get enough lap time.

 Reese got an "IPad" for Christmas.  It's one of those LeapFrog Tablets.  He loves it.  And everyone loves watching him play it.  My brothers must have gotten to my kids.  The Brothers were obsessed with me watching them play video games when we were younger.  Ugh.

 Brisbane got a trampoline.  It's a good time for all of us.  Unfortunately Brisbane likes it most when Mack and I are bouncing and holding him.  It's a workout but unfortunately I can't "bounce" all day on command.

 Brisbane and Uncle David.  Brisbane looks unsure here...

 Brisbane also got a ball pit from Grandma and Grandpa.  Thanks Mom and Dad <sarcasm>.  In the spirit of full disclosure, I did suggest that they get this because Brisbane loves balls.  And I was right, he thinks it's awesome.  But all of the balls are everywhere.  Currently we are using under our sofa as overflow ball storage.

 Reese had another go on his bike.  The other day we went for a bike ride and Reese had his first fall.  He is kind of a dramatic emotional child so I was worried.  He must not have hurt himself because when I happily told him to jump up and climb back on the bike, he did.  Whew!

 Uncle Paul wanted pictures with the kids.  I am sure it was so that he could show off how cool he is to all of his friends.  What can I say?  My kids make people look good.

 There were several outtakes, but this was my favorite.  Brisbane looks like he is trying to distance himself from the crazies.

 Grandma and Grandpa have a plethora of awesome books.  Which Brisbane asked them to read over and over again.

 Jessenia and her Daddy.

 Reese learned how to take pictures with his "IPad".

 It didn't take long for this parent to fall asleep when he was sitting down (he takes after his own father that way).  Mack really was a trooper the whole trip.  Sharing a room with three children is not easy and when the youngest is deathly afraid of his pack 'n play for whatever reason it makes it even worse.

 My Dad has been losing weight, but come on Grandpa, really?  The kids got these tunnels for Christmas and Grandpa thought he might try to squeeze in....not quite.

 All three munchkins relaxing on the trampoline.

 Melanie got sick and so she isn't in our sibling photo.  But here I am with The Brothers.  I sure do love these guys and miss them terribly.

So long Grandma and Grandpa!  It was fun, but we are so glad to be home!

Christmas Day

In the words of my mother, "I have never met two people as tech savvy as you and Mack who have so many problems with computers".  Amen to that!  I can't blog from my computer now because the button to upload pictures has disappeared on Blogger on my computer.  If anyone knows a remedy for this problem, I would love to hear it.  Consequently my Christmas morning pictures are on the other computer, but they weren't really that impressive anyway.
We do have video of the children walking out Christmas morning.  This is basically how it went.  Reese and Jessenia repeating "What?"  "What!?"  "WHAT!?"  over and over again.  Brisbane ran over and tackled his trampoline.  Reese ran up to Brisbane's stocking and dumped everything out, thinking it was his.  When the adults told Reese that was Brisbane's he ran over to Jessenia's stocking and dumped it out.  When he was once again told that it was not his, he was lost.  Completely oblivious to the bike with the large bow and his stocking.  The kids had tons of fun opening their presents.... and then the gift envy began.
Mack and I had a good Christmas too.  The best part was that after the awful pictures I took of the kids' Christmas program we decided to break down and ask for a swanky new D-SLR camera.  We were not disappointed.  All of my readers will now be able to see my adorable children with even more clarity.
But the highlight of the day was having all of my siblings home.  This is a pretty big deal.  We have not all been together since the Christmas before Brisbane was born.  My oldest brother, Paul, had never met Reese and Jessenia.  And my brother, David, had never met any of my children.  David also had just returned from a tour of duty in Afghanistan two weeks before and we were all so grateful that he made it home safely.

 Brisbane and Grandpa were my first victims with the new camera.  My Dad thinks Brisbane looks just like him.  What do you think?

 Jessenia asked Santa for three things:  a Princess toy, chapstick, and a doll.  He delivered!  She loved her hair styling doll.

 Candy!?  Yes, please! (Sidenote:  The kids each recieved a candy cane of Reese's Peanut Butter cups in their stockings.  Reese picked up one and asked me to open it for him.  I told him that it wasn't his.  He pointed to where it said, "Reese's" and said, "Look, it says Reese David ________".  I then had to explain that the candies were called Reese's and that even though it had his name on it, those were indeed still Jessenia's.)

 Reese asked for three things also:  a train, cars, and Finn McMissile (From Cars 2).  Santa delivered again!  Plus he brought him this sweet bike!

 "The Brothers" arrived after present opening and after a brief introduction Reese plopped down on the sofa next to Uncle Paul.  "Why are you so pokey!?" Since his own father can't grow facial hair, it is a valid question.  These two spent the next fifteen minutes sitting on the sofa with Reese rubbing Paul's face and Paul showing Reese pictures and maps of where he lives and where he is moving.  Five minutes into it I heard Mack say, "You don't have to answer every single one of his questions".  But Paul did.  I am pretty sure in Reese's eyes he achieved "Coolest Uncle" status.
There was some dinner and general toy playing after that.

 Reese took a short spin outside on his bike.  After that I thought the evening was over, until I walked into the house to this:

 Aunt Melanie and Jessenia got stuck in that tunnel!

Reese didn't want to be left out.

We hope that all of you had a very Merry Christmas this year.  We sure loved spending time with a small part of our family.  It was a very blessed year for our family and we felt the Savior's love this holiday season as we experienced the joy of Christmas and the love of Christ's birth through the eyes of our children.

Carlsbad Christmas

This year we celebrated Christmas at my parent's house in Carlsbad, NM.  It was an excellent time!  We arrived a few days before Christmas started and my parent's got us tickets to "Christmas on the Pecos".  Mack and the kids had never done it.  And if you have never done it, you must at least once.  Basically you ride on a boat down the Pecos River and look at all of the houses decorated with Christmas lights.  People go all out decorating their houses and some are sponsored by companies so it is really nice.

 Here are the kids getting ready.  You must bring a blanket and coat...it's cold on the river.

 Kids have to wear life jackets.  <insert maniacal laughter>  This picture was taken right after Brisbane got his life jacket on....so he is still smiling.  Fast forward an hour later... not. smiling.  It was a bit large, to say the least.  And wouldn't be saving him from anything.

 Jessenia was the most nervous about the whole boat on water thing.  She sat on my lap and I tried to be as enthusiastic as possible.  That got her more in the mood and eventually she had a good time.

 Aunt Melanie took good care of Reese on the boat.  They had a great time together talking about all of the lights.  Reese got complimented by one of the other passengers for asking such interesting questions throughout the ride.  Aunt Melanie is a saint.

 On Christmas Eve, the kids all made Christmas cookies with Grandma, to leave for Santa.

 Brisbane is not the most hygenic baker (thumb in mouth) and is a little thin around the waist (we have since bought him a belt).

 But he sure does love cookie dough.  Boy after my own heart!

The kids were very happy with their cookies and even more happy about the idea of Santa coming.  They diligently left out their cookies and hung their stockings.  Reese was a little nervous that he was going to see Santa...the idea of someone coming into our house and leaving presents all of a sudden seemed not very safe to this four year old.  I guess they will just have to wait and see if they were good this year...

Crazy December

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to the three people who still check this blog.  It has been a while.  The lead up into Christmas was pure insanity at our house and I missed my blog.  Mack was out of town for the most of the month of December doing a rotation in Tucson (great timing, huh?) and so I had to keep everything at home afloat while attempting to start some Christmas traditions.  It was exhausting and I am so glad it is over.  So I will have a few Christmas posts and then we are moving upwards and onwards with the latest happenings around here.

 I made this felt tree in an attempt to keep the kids from damaging our real (artificial) tree.  You may notice the play pen surrounding the tree in the background.  It was a good idea that I stole from my sister in law.  Until Brisbane learned how to ram it over with his large trucks.  Less effective.

 The kids enjoyed the felt tree and ornaments though.

 One day for snack we made Christmas trees from sugar cones, green icing, and M&M's.  Healthy, eh?

 The kids weren't that thrilled about having to put the icing and M&M's on the cone...they wanted to put them straight into their mouths.

 Which is pretty much what Brisbane did.  I am learning that I am basically powerless to stop this boy if he puts his mind to something.  (Sidenote:  This is the day that I put Brisbane's shirt on backwards and just couldn't bring myself to change it....that's the kind of month we had...oh brother.)

 We made gingerbread houses one night.  My sister in law swooped in for the save again and let me use her gingerbread house mold (she rocks!).

 The kids had a hard time putting the icing on but if I smeared it on where they wanted it, they loved sticking the candies all over.  (Except for Brisbane who once again just moved candy from the bowls to his mouth.)

 All Smiles!

 The three and their finished product...pretty impressive.

 Reese and Jessenia had a Christmas program at preschool.  It was ten layers of cuteness.  You see that smug expression on Jessenia's face?  Yep, that's how she looked the entire performance.  For a kid who we can't get to stop singing around the house, she sure is playing hard to get at preschool.  And yes, there are only four kids in Jessenia's preschool class.  It's awesome.  And yes, all of the other girls in the class have on adorable Christmas outfits and my child looked homeless.  Why?  Not because my husband was out of town (he was back by then) but because I rolled my ankle running and couldn't get laundry and hair done very well at this point.

 There's a smile!  One little gem during one of the songs with actions.

 And there is Reese with some of his class.  Why are his hands in his mouth?  No idea!  Both of my kids walked out on stage with their hands in their mouths.  I was able to get Jessenia to stop right away, but Reese was more resistant.

 When his teacher handed him some bells, he decided he had something better to do with his hands than suck on them.

Reese was Joseph in the nativity.  We are so proud.  Afterwards his teacher said, "Didn't he make the cutest Joseph?"  I had to agree.
December was an overly stressful month but we had a lot of fun too.  We are just so much happier that Daddy is home now.  We love you Mack, I couldn't do what I do without you...at least not well.