Coming Spring 2011

The FAM

Logan: Our ace-reader and great helper. He especially loves to read Star-Wars novels. I loved loved loved his reaction when I brought home a Darth Vador costume (that I found at a thrift store!)--which is who he wants to be for Halloween. He makes his bed and picks up his room each day before he goes to school. He's reached the age that he no longer complains about what is on his plate. He is ready and willing to do whatever we ask of him. He shows empathy for everyone around him. He is always cheerful and helpful. Is this normal? Or do we just have a really awesome kid?

Madison: Our social butterfly. She makes friends wherever she goes. Since starting kindergarten, she has developed a love for skirts, necklaces, and staring into the mirror. She and Grant like to play. And fight. Wait--switch those two. They like to fight. She would rather spend 2 hours cleaning her room than 5 minutes every morning. Still waiting for her to rejoice over our dinner selections. She gives great hugs.

Grant: Decided everyone leaving for the day wasn't so bad--after a few days of trying to sneak out with his backpack. He gets mommy all to himself. He has no one to fight with, and no one to tell mom that he is sitting on the counter pulling treats from the candy jar. The first thing he does every morning is dump out the ginormous car-box. Thanks, Grant. He would like to watch movies (Elmo and Cars), but he recently broke the DVD player while trying to install one on his own. An Early Childhood Intervention specialist is coming to our home on Tuesday to see if he needs a little shove in the language development department. The pediatrician actually said he's not too far behind (I think because he does in fact talk--you just can't understand a word of what he is saying), but Mom said, "Please! We are both frustrated that he can't communicate very well." While I want my guy to not have any problems, I'd LOVE to understand him! He has a wonderful sense of humor and likes to play jokes on everyone.

Dad: Working hard to take care of his demanding family. He's awesome. His advertising is really paying off, and I think that we will soon know that going out on our own was a wise and rewarding decision. I still have my moments. :) But can I brag for a moment? He's been going to court about 1-2 times a week. Last week after presenting his case in front of a judge he got 2 phone calls within a few hours from people who had seen him in court and wanted him to be their attorney. That's the best kind of advertising, I'd say!

Mom: Hanging in there, doing mom-things. I love it. Well, most of it. Anyone want to potty-train Grant? How about clean the fridge? But this family--it's mine!!

Until next time..........

San Antonio, 2010

This weekend I had a law conference in San Antonio, Texas.

Real quick about San Antonio: I think it's an awesome town. It's the smallest huge town in America. Although it's Texas' second-largest city (beating out Dallas), it really just feels like a regular city. And, it's kind of the capital of Texan culture, with loads of good food.

This trip was enjoyable because I actually got to bring my family along. Here are a few pics:

Sea World is brilliant; they allow patrons to pay to feed the animals.

Great show.

This is how Jenny kisses.

This is a 3 pound cinnamon roll. That's right, 3 pounds. This was from the world famous Lu Lu's Cafe, which was recently featured on Man v. Food. Jenny, however, was not that impressed.

Mariachi band at El Mercado.

Grant enjoyed the jets in the bathtub.

The Alamo. Proudly, one of my ancestors died in the defense of the Alamo. In fact, he's featured in almost every Alamo movie as the Scotsman that plays the bagpipes, usually with Davy Crockett (true story). I know, I know, how could the defenders lose if a McGregor was there, right? Well, when the odds are 20:1, it's tough.

Odd fact: Notice the patch of green grass to the left my of family. That's where, after the Mexicans defeated the Texians, they piled up the defenders and burned them.

Although you can hardly see them, this is my family on the Riverwalk.

Seriously, everyone needs to go to San Antonio at least once (but if it comes down to it, leave the kids at home).

PA Trip 2010: Part 2

Here are the rest of our pics from PA. Enjoy.

As you will notice, Jenny is on board. She saw the kids having so much fun that she wanted in on the action. She took Grant so that she wouldn't have to sit alone. At first the carny told her she was too tall, but Jenny promised him a kiss at the end of the ride.

This is Madison turning 5. The choice of Daryl Strawberry shortcake was hers.

Grandpa Foster.

We can't wait for Madi to get her license.

PA Trip 2010: Part 1

This summer Jenny and the kids drove out to PA to spend time with her family, and attend the illustrious Warren County Fair. Here are a few snippets of their action-filled vacation.

Kids participating in the three-legged race.

We still haven't figured out Grant's smile.

This is Jenny's family at night.

Jenny and the gang watching her brother Brent show a sheep.

Brent milking the sheep.

The in-laws decided that they should build a deck in their back yard. It's actually TONS bigger than it looks. They hosted Brent's Eagle Court of Honor on it once it was completed.

Jenny's grandmother, Evie, and her dog. I don't know the dog's name.

Galveston Trip

This is merely to catch up. We've been derelict at making our blog postings.

This summer we drove out to Galveston Island. Galveston is a great place with a lot of history, but was recently devastated by Hurricane Ike. Fortunately hurricanes, while wiping homes off the face of the earth, still leave beaches.

We highly recommend a trip out to Galveston for those within striking distance.

Jenny chasing Logan. She made it a point of holding the kids' heads under water. The lifeguard on duty frowned upon that.

This is Jenny pointing to an open bag of Cheetos resting at our neighbor's side, "Are you going to eat all those?"

Old town Galveston was neat. Here, we're about to enter a place that produces what some have called the greatest ice cream on earth. We didn't try any.

This is us island hopping via a barge. It was fun to see the dolphins jumping out of the water.

First Day of School

Today we sent off the kids to the first day of school. For Madison, it was her first time in Kindergarten. For Logan, it was 1st Grade.

Madison has waited for this day for a long time--ever since we yanked her out of preschool in Cleveland when we moved.

Grant wanted to be in the picture, and he wanted to badly to go to school.

Lucky for us, the school is only around the corner, and receives excellent marks year in, year out.

It was also entertaining to overhear Logan expound of the rules of kindergarten. He told her how fast she needed to eat her lunch, which crimes were punishable by withholding of recess, and where to put the crayons when she was done coloring.

Things I Am Wondering

1. Did we have enough fun this summer?

2. Did we do enough learning this summer?

3. Will my house be cleaner with only 1 child at home?

4. Will I miss the noise of 3 children?

5. Will I enjoy the quiet of 1 child?

6. How long will we live in this house?

7. Will we be able to sell our Cleveland house in the spring?

8. Should I take Grant to a speech pathologist?

9. What will this next year bring?

10. How much wood can a wood chuck chuck?

Long Overdue... and I Mean (this is) Long

Around Mother's Day a friend put out the challenge to blog about the joy of motherhood. I told her I would take the challenge, but when I started thinking about it, I didn't know how to put my feelings into words. 2 months later....

Being a mother has given me someone(s) to love and someone(s) to love me back. Motherhood has made me learn how to be less selfish and more selfless. Instead of buying myself clothes, getting my nails done, or reapplying makeup throughout the day--I spend my time and money on these precious people around me. There are times when I miss the time and money (and more complimentary pictures), but honestly--I think I have more confidence in myself when I feel that I can be beautiful and "cool" without trying so hard. I have truly found joy and purpose in life through caring for my children and watching them learn and grow.

I have this theory that a parent can never give his or her child too much love, time, and praise. (I do believe a child can have too many toys.) The world will soon tell my children they are not smart enough, beautiful enough, and all around good enough. So now--while I have some sway--I am doing all I can to help them know that they are beautiful, intelligent, and good. (This doesn't mean I don't lose my temper. I do.) So for now, Piaget's Egocentrism is ok--our world revolves around these little people.

Finally, I'm finding that these years go by very quickly. Since they are the only years we have, I hope that when my children look back to their childhoods, they have warm-fuzzies of dancing in the kitchen, mom wearing an apron and making yummy food (and kids begging for cheese and vegetables), library visits, picnics at the playground, Saturday workdays, and family outings--to name a few. I admit, the hope of these fond memories is what spurs me to action and enables me to spend precious time and money on things that are lasting though intangible (oh to have furniture!). They will be my memories, too, and ones I won't regret.

People have commented that they have noticed that I seem to love being a mother. I do. I really, really do. It's not always easy--in fact, here's a story....

One day Joe came home and told me about someone (?) who had a cook who came in and cooked 2 or 3 meals a day for this family. Then Joe said something like, "Can you imagine that being your full-time job? To just go somewhere and cook and clean for someone else and then to go home for the day? Wouldn't you just feel like a servant?" I gave him the LOOK. "Oh," says he, "I guess that is kind of what you do." "Yes," I say, "only I don't get to go 'home.' And I don't get paid. And it's a bit more than cooking."

I haven't always found joy in being a mother--I mean, I've always loved my kids--so I guess I mean I haven't always found motherhood fulfilling or rewarding. But it is rewarding to see children progress. Life is a little less demanding when kids can go to the bathroom, get dressed, and tell you why they are sad. And I think I've changed. I have had to set goals and I have had to make an effort to be a happier, more optimistic person. I have learned to love to serve. I have learned to find joy in little things. I am still trying to live in the moment, be more spontaneous, and to find joy in this journey.

Joe and I celebrate our 9th anniversary next week. We went to the temple last night to do sealings--we joked that we were renewing our vows. It was comforting to hear those words and to know that we belong to each other for eternities.

Oh, and if you got this far and want to know how we are doing: we are doing fine. Things are looking up every month. I still feel nervous, but I am grateful that Joe is willing to work so hard to make our dreams come true. That sounds cheesy, I know, but seriously--if this works out (and it will)--we will be living the dream. We already do, in most aspects, but you know--money makes life lots easier. Madison and Logan are excited for school. Grant and I will have to figure out what to do... I'm thinking lots and lots of fun!! How easy will it be to go shopping with only 1 kid! And hey--we can afford to go out for lunch once in a while if there's just one kid! And maybe now I will be able to sit down one-on-one and teach Grant his ABC's--sibling-distraction-free! Do you see all of these-!!!!! I will miss Logan and Madison, though--I can't believe they are going to be away from me all day. :( That is why I am being such a cool fun mom this summer--school is cool, but mom RULES!

Until next time....

Dad Life

May the Force be with You

Our kids are participating in a summer reading program from Half Priced Books where the store gives them a $3 gift certificate for reading during the week. Week 1 was a success, and with his $3, Logan bought a Star Wars book. Logan is such a fantastic reader that he completed the book that same day.

Later, we were all at the table. Logan says to Jenny, "Mom, I think you probably have the 'Force.'" (The Force is the power in the universe that the Jedi nights in Star Wars use.)

Jenny: "Really? Why do you think I have the Force?"

Logan: "Because you force daddy to do a lot of things."

A Surprise Visit from the Tooth Fairy

As many of you know, Jenny struggles with her temper.

Shortly after Logan was born, Jenny started growing a fungus behind her ear. The doctor prescribed some antibiotics, but Jenny misread the label ("take one pill a day for 14 days" for "take 14 pills in one day"). It disrupted a small node in the brain, and ever since then Jenny spins wildly out of control at the slightest provocation.

Whenever Jenny "flips," we have to pin her down and inject her with a tranquilizer strong enough to doze a horse. But despite her frail frame, she's actually quite tough to bring down (primarily because she only eats beef and cauliflower).

Last week, Jenny asked me if I liked her haircut . . . again.

"I think it looks great. It's growing back really fast."

"WHAT?!" She demanded, as she plowed her plate across the table and against the wall. "YOU DON'T LIKE MY HAIR JUST THE WAY IT IS???"

Logan knew the drill. He quickly ran to the electronic safe where we keep mommy's "sleeping juice."

I tried to put my arm around Jenny, but she intercepted me with a sharp thrust from her bony elbow. She started cursing . . . in Latin. I maneuvered behind her and placed her in the hold the nurses taught me.

Logan reappeared with the saving syringe. He approached Jenny, trying to insert the "needle of peace"--as it's called in our house--into the only meat Jenny has on her body: her thigh.

But just as Logan bent down to inject, Jenny kicked her feet out wildly. Jenny's right pinkie toe caught Logan just right in the mouth.

This was the result:

So there you go. Now everyone knows how Logan lost his first tooth. He was an excellent sport. He wanted to cry, but didn't.

We placed a modest sum under his pillow that night, and his first act was to wake his parents up the next morning and report his increase.

His second act was to record his income in his savings account ledger.