Things you hope the neighbors don't see, and why I love the Birthday Boy

Do you ever have those moments when you do something dumb and worry if the neighbors saw?    Like, for example, one time I caught myself yelling at the kids, like grouch mother yelling, only to realize afterwards that the windows were wide open.    You know- that kind of thing.  

Well- I had one of those moments again this past week. It happened last Saturday night as we were getting ready to leave for the Adult Session of our Stake Conference. John had been away all day and came home just minutes before we were supposed to leave again. He was rushing to get ready, and I needed to go get the sitter. Normally that would not be a big deal, but on this particular day I was tired. Not a normal tired - but a new kinda tired. Stiff. Sore. Swollen. Tired. I really did not want to drive all the way to the other side of town to pick up the sitter, but somehow I managed to lumber out to the van.     As I was slowly backing out of the garage I hit the button which triggers our garage door to close.     It is at this moment that I felt a thud, and heard the sickening sound of crushing metal. Clearly I was hitting something behind me. I craned my sore neck to see what it possibly could be.

Our truck.

The only choice I had was to pull back into the garage. But wait a minute- the garage door was coming down. Ahhhh! Panic Hit, and I put the van in reverse again. Only to feel that awful thud, and hear that sickening sound of metal.

Darn that truck!

I was stuck. Stuck between an old red Chevy and a Closing Garage Door. I had nowhere to go.   And then I heard the still small voice in the back of my mind.   It was the softest, faintest voice ever, but I clearly heard it.

It said... "Your neighbors can totally see this."

I burst into to tears, and then finally did something smart.   I reached for the garage door opener and hit the button, sending the door upwards again and making it possible for me to navigate away our van away from our stupid, dumb, and always in my way - truck.

Now there is only one reason why I am even daring to tell this story, and it is this. Because as I sat there wondering what to do - I looked up in the rear view mirror and saw John.    There he was, standing in our driveway almost ready for the meeting, with a look of complete bewilderment. I gripped the steering wheel, unsure of how he was going to react.

 And do you know what he did?

He looked at the van for a moment. Then he looked me. Then he looked at the van again and said, "Hun It's just a scratch," and he went back in the house to finish getting ready.

He has not mentioned it again.  Not once!

And as for that "Scratch"? Well - there are actually TWO "Scratches",  and I'm pretty sure that I could fit my head into one of them!

Which brings me to the point of this entire post today. 

  Today is JOHN's BIRTHDAY!!!  

(yup he's a Halloween Baby- freaky eh!)  

I've spent the past week wondering how I could possibly convey to him all of the love and gratitude that I feel for him.   Not only is he the best Dad ever, but he is my Best friend.   I have felt that more then ever over the past few months.  As I have felt unwell, John has truly stepped in and made up for it all.   When it was difficult for me to even move my arms - he carried everything.   When I couldn't walk easily- he ran all of the errands.   When I couldn't find any reason to feel hopeful - he was optimistic.    When I do something completely stupid and clumsy - he doesn't rub it in and hold it against me.

He literally makes up for what I lack, and builds me up in the process.

In his 35 years of life he has figured out how to be EVERYTHING that I need. 

  And that is how I know that he is MY better half.

So how do you celebrate someone who means everything to you?

I'm hoping it is with a pan of homemade Chicken Cordon Bleu and a Carrot Cake in the shape of, get this ...

A GHOST!

Now, if that doesn't say true love, I don't know what will!

Pajama Boy, Taylor Swift, and the only brown dodge Caravan in town with ...two dents!

Wow is it really the end of October?   Really?      The weather sure hasn't been acting like it is- we've been spoiled with beautiful temperatures that have made up for the chilly summer we had.   At least I for one have forgiven whoever it is that plans the weather.  This has been nice!   I think the only indication to me  that October is almost over is the awareness that one of our most favorite holidays EVER is quickly approaching.   Well..I for one, think it is one of the Best Holidays ever and the kids seem to agree with me.  

We've narrowed down what each of the kids are going to dress up as, and more then once I have seen them running around the cul-de sac dressed up as if it was already Halloween night.  Several times in the past couple of weeks I have looked out the window to see  Spider man, A witch, a princess and their neighborhood friend walking from door to door with hands full of some sort of treat they collected.    Our neighbors are just too darn nice!

Only when you are young and cute can you get away with Trick or Treating multiple times throughout the month!

I'm still trying to sort out the logistics of John's Halloween costume.   Every year he tells me that he doesn't care what he goes as...but this year he had an idea that I actually think would be perfect for him.  It's right up his alley.     I should really just let him go with it and create the costume himself- but I made that mistake this past week when his school had a "pajama day."     I sat back and watched as he went to school looking like this:

Actually I didn't sit back and just watch.  I tried to stop him - I honestly did.   However, when John first began teaching, years ago,  he decided that his personal dress standard would entail a tie and dress shirt each day.     Apparently this rule applies always...even on Pajama Day!!!     (For the record, I know John looks a little bit annoyed to be having his picture taken but that is only because I told him I was going to post it on the blog and humiliate him!  Bwahahahah!)    

Oh I LOVE this man, I really do.     But I'm officially designating myself in charge of his Halloween costume.   Believe me -there will be NO TIE involved!!!!     Stay tuned.....


Other news to report:  

 Brent and Rachel came out on Friday for a few hours and it was so fun to visit with them.    It is crazy to think that Rachel is about to have a BABY!!!      And can you believe it?  At 9 months pregnant...Aunt Rach and Uncle Brent took my kids golfing!!!!     Alright, actually they just took Abby and Sam golfing.  (Like I'd allow Rach to take ALL my kids.   She's about to have a baby for goodness sake!)     Sam officially has found a new best friend in Brent, despite the fact that Sam continuously calls him "dumb Rat!"   I think it has become a term of endearment really, and I admit, I allow it- because really Brent eggs him on.   Thanks Brent and Rach!


I am happy to report that I cleaned my house this week AND baked cupcakes!!!     I'm going to take that as a sign that life is beginning to feel more normal.     John was happy to discover that for the first time in four months- the fresh baked smell that wafted through the house did not come from a Scentsy candle for once.   He hugged and kissed me and acted like I was superwoman or something.    And that is when I vowed to never stop baking ever again.   Ever.    


Oh yes and I must share this story with you.     Abby came to me a few weeks ago and reported that Taylor Swift is her new favorite Rock Star!   I laughed out loud at that because I have not heard her ever speak of Taylor Swift before, nor have I ever heard her refer to someone as a Rock star.   In fact,  as far as I knew- she still loved the Wiggles.    Well over the past couple of weeks I have caught Abby several times singing one of Swift's songs.  

One day as I heard her sing, I decided to be a nice mom, and pay her a compliment.
 I said, "Wow Abby.  You sound really good."  (which, by the way, she didn't)
Abby replied.  "I know.   I totally sound just like the real Taylor Swift.  Even Ava and Mya think so."

Well that was it.   Since then, I've made it my mission to capture Abby's prize winning rendition on video.    Because, you know, it is going to be important to show something like this right before her first date or at her wedding or during some future family reunion when her own kids will be able to sit back and laugh at her.     I imagine we will get a kick out of this for years and years ...and YEARS to come.      


Well that's pretty much been our week.  I know that it might appear as thought I've spent the week making fun of my family, but seeing as I still can not walk normally AND I put TWO dents in our van this week...

....I'm all about highlighting whatever takes the attention off of me.



Enough said.

HAPPY SUNDAY!


ABBY SINGING IN THE SHOWER:

Dreaming of the Day...

This past week was a busy week!     (Does it seem as though all of my entries recently begin with that statement?) So many times John and I have crawled into bed and with tired voices and in the few split seconds that exist before we fall asleep one of us mumbles something along the lines of ..."It isn't always going to be like this."   Perhaps that is John's way of trying to reassure me that he isn't always going to be this busy.    Perhaps it is my way of trying to reassure John that I am not always going to be this pathetic.    Whatever the reason, it is a promise we attempt to give each other that one day...life will be calm again.

This week, for John, was FULL of meetings, volleyball practices, and special school events. There have been some nights in which he literally walks into the house for dinner, eats standing up, and leaves again, not to be seen until well past 10!   This past weekend he was away at his second Volleyball Tournament of the season.   Sadly,  he came home a little bit bummed out that they did not place - but they'll surely do better next time.     And guess what?   Only TWO more tournaments before the season draws to a close. I know that John enjoys coaching, and yeah yeah I'm happy for him and all that.    But believe me when I say, I am DREAMING of the day when he walks through the door at 5:00 and is home to stay!   I tell ya, it's tough stuff putting kids to bed alone.    Odds are always better when it is two against four!

The kids, on the other hand, will likely miss the little bus rides they sometimes get when John returns from an away game.    Often before John returns the bus he'll pick up the kids and take them on a surprise ride around the block.   I think he just does it to solidify in their minds that fact that he is the "coolest Dad EVER!"


I had an appointment this week in Calgary, and was so relieved to learn from the rheumatologist that things are improving.    She showed me some blood work results which indicate that the inflammatory response my body has been going through is beginning to subside.    I practically KISSED the woman - I was so relieved to hear that!     I have admittedly felt an increase in energy and overall well being, but I  so often get discouraged (and down right depressed!)  about all of the things that I still can NOT do.      My doctor was very encouraging though, and assured me that this takes time, and in the whole scheme of things, THREE months of pain is really not that long and likely not enough time to permanently damage joints.      In fact, she was very confident that I will get back to the way I was before this whole flare up even hit.   Believe me,   I have spent every free minute since that appointment DREAMING of the days ahead:     What will it be like to be able to walk normally again?    Or ride my bike with the kids?      Or how nice it will be to be able to go buy milk at the store and not come home with ankles as swollen and big as Nate's head!    Or to be able to open my mouth wide enough to bite into an apple again....or to be able to yell at my kids without it hurting....   (kidding...sorta)

Oh I can't Wait!        I know that this is something I will always live with now, but I do feel as though  the worst is behind us.    (Fingers Crossed.)


This little guy is putting us through our paces this week.     It is hard to believe that in just a couple of short weeks Nate will be 1!        A Whole YEAR already!    Could you not just eat him up?

Sure, he is cute, but  Boy oh Boy is he busy!     He's reached that stage where he must and I do mean MUST be walking at ALL times.     He learned to walk a couple of months ago, and he has barely stopped to rest.     This works out great on a normal typical day as I've not had to carry him around much at all.     He sort of just wanders around the house destroying something here, or making a mess over there.     Always Happy.     Always Content.     Unfortunately, Sunday always seems to come along, and for a few tedious hours we try to hold him down, just a bit, while we attempt to get something out of our church meetings.    It takes a LOT of work to keep Nate sitting happily for that amount of time.     In fact, it takes about two bottles, one sippy cup of milk, a bag of fishy crackers, a bag of pretzels, a bag of mini marshmallows (for desperate moments), 5 finger puppets, lots of random toys, my set of keys and a plethora of items from my bag that frankly really aught to stay deep down in my bag.      

All of that usually gets me through the first 10 minutes of Relief Society.   After that - we can usually be found walking the halls.

Needless to say I have spent several moments Dreaming of the Day that all Moms in my position dream of. That's right - NURSERY!!!   Only 6 1/2 months away now;)

Deep down I know that what I need to do is STOP DREAMING and enjoy the place we are at.     Right now.  

 I know that one day I will look back and remember with fondness the moments that we are living now. Like the excitement the kids have when John surprisingly arrives home before they've fallen asleep, thus giving them an excuse to get out of bed. Because really, who can resist a goodnight hug from Daddy?

I know that I will one day look back and wish for my kids to all be little again.   I'll probably remember nothing about irreverent Sundays, cheesy stains on my dress,  and exhausting efforts to keep them happy.

Who knows. Maybe one day I'll look back and long for a time when the only thing that caused me pain was ...arthritis.

It's weird, but when I stop to think about it, it really sinks in. 

  We are living the  "Good Old Days" this very minute!

And believe me - our Days are SO GOOD!

Happy Sunday!!!

So much to be Thankful For

Wow what a busy couple of weeks it has been! John has been swamped as usual, but we took great comfort this week in knowing that we are officially half way through the volleyball season!   Even better - we are now enjoying a beautiful long weekend, thanks to the Thanksgiving Holiday!!     We plan to enjoy it by doing absolute nothing.at.all.    As in, Not a thing!

Though, I might pause from our current state of nothingness, to reflect occasionally on how truly blessed my family and I get to be.

 ************

This past week, we stumbled across a most amazing and handy invention.   Some how we discovered that we can literally control SAM by using a small wireless, (albeit imaginary) remote control.   We call it the "Sam remote", and It's Fantastic!   All we do is point this invisible contraption at Sam and state our wish, and he obeys perfectly.   Of course, Sam's motivation to comply with these orders is based entirely on that fact that we are having fun at his expense and that all eyes are exactly where he wants them to be.   On him.  What can I say?  He likes to make people laugh!      Abby's favorite button is Rewind, which she always seems to use whenever Sam wipes out or does something silly that she'd like to see repeated.     Fast Forward is wonderful as it makes Sam work much quicker at any given task then he normally would have.  But  personally, my favorite button on this Sam Remote- has been the MUTE button.   Sam just walks around mouthing words without ever really speaking them!    Needless to say, we have been enjoying a new level of peace and quiet around here.  And I am thankful for that!

This week I won a prize for the first time, in ...well, probably my whole life!     Alright, so technically I didn't really win.     In reality... I LOST.  (but that's not how I'm choosing to look at it right now.)   On Thursday I received word that a photo I had taken titled "Exiting the Cave" had won honorable mention in a photo contest.   I was excited that this particular picture was recognized, as I took it while hiking Crypt back in July.    Not only was that day one of my favorite days ever spent with John, but it was also the last day that I got to live without arthritis.   I tell ya, Ignorance really is bliss.    But now look at me!    Sittin' pretty with a $50 gift card to enjoy at Vimy's.   I can be Thankful for that!

You can go here  (Experience Waterton Photo Contest) to see the winning photos!

A couple of weeks ago, my sister watched the kids for me so that I could go on my annual fall drive.   The leaves in Waterton were STUNNING and I remember feeling so rejuvenated and positively grateful for the beautiful life that surrounds me.    I definitely feel Thankful to get to live where we do!

Check out Not Quite Picasso if you at all want to see my favorite fall photos from that day!

And as if I've not mentioned Waterton enough in this weekly post, I thought I'd share some photos and footage from our drive out there a few days ago.   This time of year the Elk come down low and gather in a large field as you enter Waterton.   It is always a highlight for us to go out and watch these animals.

There is something about watching Wildlife in their own natural habitat that is very breathtaking, made that much better when surrounded by my cherished husband and kids (and one cute neighbor) while snacking on milk and cookies. I'm always Very Thankful for evenings like that!




Well, It`s official.    I don't think John and I could be any more blessed then we are.    We feel so fortunate to have the wonderful families that we do.  Lately it has become so apparent to me that not only do we get to have the most amazing families, but we also happen to live among and associate on a daily basis with some of the best most kindest people ever!   I don't know how we got to be so lucky in life, but I Thank God for that every single day!

 To all of you that we know and love,  from our Family to yours...

Happy Thanksgiving!!!

~A quick clip of the Elk for you to enjoy~

Happy Birthday Crystal!

Last week my little sister celebrated her 29th birthday. It’s sort of a Happy thought to me to think that 29 years ago I became a BIG sister. Finally I had somebody to which I could dispel all of my knowledge and superior experience to. Truth be told though- that one year meant very little when it comes to Crystal and I as we really are two peas in a pod in so many ways. Yes that's right- Crystal is her name. I have a sister named Jewel, and a sister named Crystal. Isn't that great? "Two beautiful priceless little gems," I can picture my parents saying when each of them were born. And then there was me. .....Tanis.

(The whole name thing didn’t really help with the middle child syndrome I had as a kid- but that's ok, I'm good with it now.)

It was my intention this year to wish a special Happy Birthday to each of my siblings on their birthdays, by embarrassing them a bit here on the old blog. I feel ashamed that I did not have this post ready for Crystals actual birthday- but better late then never right? So without further ado- some things about my sister that a lot of people may not know:

• When Crystal was little she used to collect the strangest things. She had hundreds of stuffed animals, that she housed in a small room underneath our basement stairs.
• She also collected gummy bears. As in the candy. She would save each and every gummy bear she was ever given and would even make toilet paper clothing for them.
• Crystal LOVES animals and was always rescuing some sort of creature. She once saved the ugliest little newborn mice ever and fed them with a dropper. They had NO HAIR!!!
• Crystal can sing a pretty mean version of Whitney Houston’s “I will Always Love You,” though you might have to get her into a yellow Jeep in order to hear her let loose like that

• I used to make Crystal lay beside me at night and rub/tickle my arm. And bless her heart-she would!
• Two of the most valuable lessons I’ve ever learned in my life - I learned from her. Once as we went on a late night drive to look at the comet Hale-Bopp, and another time as we sat in a canoe on Wabamum lake fishing together.
• Crystal and I went on a high school marine biology course/trip while we were both in High School. Some of the neatest things I’ve ever seen in nature- I saw with her.

• Crystal is the only one in my family who has a University Degree. I have a mere diploma (which my Dad would have said does not really count)!
• Crystal has done some amazing things with her Environmental/Tree Hugger Degree. She has worked with Owls (and can tell you how EVERY owl sounds), birds, she studied Ground Squirrels in Utah and has been a part of Studies in the Great Bear Rain forests of BC! Get this- she has worked with someone who worked with DAVID SAZUKI! AHHHH Right? She has literally sat on a Rock during a Salmon run and watched as BEARS fed on fish right beside her!
• Crystal and I lived together as Young Single Adults in Edmonton. It’s probably during that time that she became not just my sister but my Friend.
• Crystal is an Old Soul. Her style is truly one of kind. She bonds with the Elderly really well (wink wink), and she is not the type to bend her character just to impress. She is so much wiser then her age in so many ways.

Perhaps the most wonderful thing about Crystal that I could share is that she is a selfless person with a good heart. This past summer has been rough for me. ( Have I mentioned that yet?) Being told that I have a type of Rheumatoid Arthritis has for some reason shaken me to the core. I’ve worried too much about all sorts of things that I know I can’t change. Last week Crystal dropped everything and came to stay with us for several days. She brought her two little kids and her pregnant belly and came to be with me! Her and Jewel filled my freezer with meals. Crystal listened to my fears, she reassured me, and she didn’t judge me when I threw my tantrums. She would lay beside me just like she used to when we were younger, and for some reason just having her around was such a comfort. I don’t know what I’d do without my Siblings!!!

Tonight I came across some letters that Crystal had written years ago as she was backpacking through one of her crazy wildlife adventures. As I read through this letter tonight it brought me to tears as I realized that her advice to me 10 years ago applies so much more to me now then it ever did back then.

Here is part of what she wrote:

“Tanis, today as we were driving to work there was an old man walking down the highway with a huge sign sticking out of his backpack which read, “LOVE LIFE.” So badly I wanted to stop the car and talk to this man that LOVED LIFE. I realized how much I get caught up in life and forget to live. This simple, old stranger, alone on the highway, was a good reminder to me that we have to make the most out of our lives. Don’t let life pass you by. Love it! Don’t forget to live. Don’t forget to laugh. And don’t forget to love those around you. These things, I think, are the formula to Happiness.”

See what I mean.
I am so glad to have such a Wise Little Sister!

Happy Birthday Crystal! I hope it was as Special as you are!