Mary's New Hobby

After a wonderful brunch today to celebrate some of my dear friends' birthdays, Mary and I spent several hours editing her NIB (Nadauld, Idiart, Bennett) show videos. She's already edited five of the dozen or so cute little skits they've been making over the last few months. The episodes are so very funny and wonderfully entertaining. We uploaded some to Vimeo and plan on sharing with the crew when we get the first series complete. Mary kept saying, "I love editing!" She is getting fast at it too. Mary is so creative with all her sound effects, music, and transitions. I sure love this darling girl.

We're Having a Ball

The cold weather keeps rolling in, but thankfully we haven't been knocked over by all the icy-laned highways and snow packed gutters. We've enjoyed our week of the kids' strike on learning; however, I'm looking forward to being pinned down to our normal routine. Hopefully we'll be spared more freezing temperatures this weekend and no more snow plows in the valley. But if not, I'm with these cuties all the way!

SNOW DAY #3

I've always been pretty good at math...

Ice on the road - snow plows & salt = not safe for buses = no school = playing with cousins

Times three!

This time, the party was at Christine's. They NEVER get tired of each other. It's afternoon in this photo and their hair has not seen a brush in who knows how long. I will say though, what they lack in hygiene they make up for in fun and creativity.

And despite the change of clothes I packed for her, Mary said to me this morning upon my first attempt to bring them home, "I'm going on 36 hours in this outfit!"

Awesome!

I'm such a good mom.

Here's the last footprint I could find of Barnaby today. I had to post on Instagram that we got rid of him. People kept commenting on what a nice mom I was for letting an unapproved pet in our home, and I was feeling rather guilty. I also think I may have prematurely posted about getting a dog. Barnaby will always be remembered as the greatest #dogforaday!

SNOW DAY!!!!!

It's another snow day! The kids slept over at their cousins' last night since we were already aware that school was cancelled. Aaron left this morning to take Barnaby back. He was happy to be home. He was a good dog. Maybe it's out of our system? Probably not.

The big pine tree in front of our house fell down with the weight of the snow. Chainsaws were going at 7am to clear the road. Lots of people are without power as many power lines have been affected by the weather. I had an appointment to get my hair done. I had to drive about two miles per hour since the roads weren't plowed. This city isn't prepared for this kind of weather.

Hopefully life will get back to normal here shortly.

In the meantime, lots of playtime!

The Nostalgia is Wearing Off

Noah woke up this morning in a panic. Barnaby was not here! Damian had already taken him to work, as part of the "deal". But it was a snow day and there was no school. So, sweet Aaron ran to the office and brought Barnaby back to play. A snow day. A new puppy. It was the perfect morning. The kids were thrilled. It felt magical.

But then at about noon, I was already tired of trying to tell him to calm down and stop playfully attacking Noah. Noah couldn't go anywhere with out Barnaby biting his clothes, pulling him down to the ground and licking his ears almost completely off. Plus, the previous owner had said that he would not jump onto furniture unless invited. Barnaby wasn't waiting for any invitation, he had to be all up in your grill. I told the kids I was bringing him back to the office and they didn't put up a stink. I think they were a little exhausted from it too.

I took him back to the office where he apparently sat calmly the rest of the afternoon.

Oh boy. This looks like a long dog-filled road ahead of us. Everything started to sink in...finding someone to watch him when we go out of town. Weekends, summers. Training him. Neutering him. Vet visits. I started to feel queasy.

Then Aaron texted and said the owner was willing to take him back. Uh....YES! Because this dog simply wasn't mother approved. And if any dog ever became part of our family, I'd need an old tired lazy one.

Just like it's owner.

Hey you! Uh...come here boy!

For the better part of the last five months Aaron has been searching for a family dog. The thought of a dog in our house makes me cringe. I've never wanted the smell, the work and the responsibility of caring for an animal. But for about three seconds one day I mentioned how nice Nicole's friend's new reject service dog was and I cracked the door just enough to warrant lots of Craigslist searches of breeds and options for our family. Somehow we survived Christmas, I tried really hard to buy things I knew they wanted but still mother-approved, distraction? Yes, absolutely. Yet, just as I feared, I still became the mean mom who didn't get the one present all the kids (and husband) wrote on their lists for Santa. Well, in my defense I did buy a huge stuffed animal dog. I mean, I'm not that heartless.

A little before Christmas Damian brought over the Broesder's dog Shep for a playdate. That's when I knew...I still, most emphatically, did NOT want a dog. I had a dog growing up and I loved it. But my adult understanding of mess and effort trumped the cliche that every child needs a pretty golden retriever playing ball on their beautifully manicured grass.

I never thought Aaron would be the type to bring a dog home without the full go ahead, but I guess when your next door neighbor/partner in crime/business partner/brother-in-law and serious dog lover finds the one he's been dreaming of, he's hard to say no to. He's even offered to keep it at his desk at work all day.

I pulled up to find the two of them sheepishly holding onto the collar, waiting for my reaction. I didn't say much. I just shook my head and haven't decided what to think yet. I'm letting it all soak in.

The kids are thrilled. He seriously loves Noah. Mary is already a little less scared. He's young, seven months old, and playful but very sweet. He's not my preferred dog type. I said he was a little ugly and Nicole quickly corrected me saying it wasn't very nice. She's right. However, he does smell and he hasn't mastered not jumping on the furniture. But he knows how to obey some commands, like 'sit', and 'go potty', which is nice.

We can't figure out what to call him. His name is Barnaby and he's a King Charles Spaniel. The kids can't seem to remember Barnaby. They've called him Charles, King, Joe, and even Barbie all evening.

Right now he's sitting at the bottom of the newly purchased soft cozy blanket draped across my lap.

Ahhh, everyone is cuter when they're sleeping. I guess he can sit here.

I just got a whiff of dog.

Oh boy.

A White New Year

Waking up to a blanket of crisp, pure white snow was the perfect way to welcome the new year. Everything feels so fresh and untouched. No footprints, no evidence of a single soul. It's quiet and still and beautiful.

The kids rushed out with excitement upon seeing the winter wonderland. I started gathering supplies for the frosty hands and wet toes that would soon come running back to the house for help. Boots. Gloves. Hats. I grabbed it all out of the big Utah snow clothes bag perched on the top closet shelf, although I wasn't sure we'd be using it this year. Aaron got the golf cart ready to make the playtime extra fun (that's one of his Dad super powers). With church now at 1:00, there was lots of extra time for it all.

I guess that's part of starting a new year...365 days ahead of you, fresh and untouched...so much time unspent and unused. What paths do I want to mark up? What turns do I need to take? I'll be making messes and looking homeward for protection and comfort often. My sweet loved ones will be there to help me make the experiences so much more enjoyable than if I just stared at it from inside my window.

It's going to be a great one...

With lots of growth and so much love.

Welcome 2017!

You look good with little color.