Sandy Beaches and Messes

I do not like to be messy.  This should not come as a huge shock to anyone.  I've never really been very outdoorsy either.  I think it's that I don't really like bugs, wild animals, dirt....I could go on.  Heber claims it's because I never found an outdoor activity that I really loved.  He swears that if I got to really like skiing that I'd love winter and snow.  I'm not so sure.

Last week, the kids and I met some friends at Mason Neck State Park.  They have a great playground and kid friendly walking trails.  What more could a mother of toddlers want?

Just off the path, there was a trail that led to a beach and right out onto the water.  I had packed everything we would need for such an event, but had left it all in the car.  Great.  I still let the kids wade into the water and play.  The funniest was watching Amy in the water, she is quite the little fish.  I better get that girl into some swimming lessons.

 

There was sand everywhere but we made it work.  It's not worth passing up these sweet memories to contain the mess.  This is a metaphor for parenthood, I think, to surrender to the mess and enjoy the exploring.   You should have seen the utter joy on their faces.  What's a little sand or a messy face?


It reminded me of a time that we went to Bear Lake a couple of years ago.  Leo was about Amy's age now.  We went with a whole group of friends and watched the little ones toddle around in the sand.  So many good memories.  

Not the Same

One of my good friends is preparing for a move this next month.  I'm going to miss her so much.  When she announced that they were taking this three year assignment, I had a rush of emotions.  Obviously I was sad that she was moving but the real feeling was, "oh my gosh, you have no idea what you are in for."  I wanted to say that it is the hardest thing you will ever do, picking up a life and starting somewhere new.  I yearned to say how it would take a long time to stop missing the last place, the people you cared about there and your life.  To tell her how challenging it is to set everything up again, to find doctors, preschools, heck, even a good grocery store.

I wanted to say that it was completely uncomfortable in every way for a year, or maybe more.  I was talking to a friend about this and she said that the discomfort means that you're growing and increasing capability.  That's a really positive way to look at it, I wish I was always so positive.  The growing pains are real.  You'll question why you are doing this, even if you had strong promptings that it was right.  You'll have to put yourself out there over and over again, talk to strangers, join groups.  There won't be anyone that really knows you for a long time so you have to get better at telling your story and reaching out.

The kids will stop sleeping, or maybe never learn how to sleep for a long time.  They'll ask to see people that you can't see and go to places that they can't go and it will be sad.

Eventually, it starts to get easier.  Maybe a year or two in, it's not uncomfortable all the time.  You start to figure out where things are and don't have to use GPS to get everywhere.  A friend or two is made and there is someone to have a face to face genuine and real conversation.

Instead of overwhelming her with all of that, I said, it's hard but you'll figure it out.  You'll make new friends, you'll begin to find the places that are "yours," you know, the restaurants, the stores, the parks that you love that are comfortable.  There are good people everywhere that will welcome you.  You'll be stronger and better for it.

I guess I was afraid to really express how hard it has really been.  Maybe making the leap to move is scary enough without all the details.  It's kind of like becoming a mother.  When I was pregnant, I was so excited to have this new little person that I didn't think about all that goes along with parenthood.  If you are a parent, you know what I'm talking about.  Sometimes it's better without all the details, because they will figure it out.  Just like I wouldn't tell an expectant mother, "oh just you wait until...," I figure, she'll discover it all on her own. 

The thing about these big, life changing choices, like moving or becoming a parent, they change you.  They make you completely lose it and then somehow come back together again but stronger.  I am not the same person that I was two years ago, for better and some ways worse, I'm different.  I've learned things about myself, I've grown up.  Heber and I know that we can face anything together and build a life anywhere.  I can go into uncomfortable situations and make new friends.  I know that I can be resilient and determined.

My friend is about to embark on this journey, I know she'll figure it out but she won't be the same either.

Raleigh

Over a week ago, we returned home from Raleigh.  It was my third trip to North Carolina in June.  Perhaps that's a sign that I'm destined to live there someday.  It's also a sign that I'm utterly done with road trips for a while, I may never catch up on sleep.

Raleigh has been on my bucket list of places to see forever.  For no reason in particular, other than it just sounded like a charming place.  I have several places like that on my list: Maine, Seattle, Savannah Georgia....  

 

 

We drove down to do a final farewell for one of my best friends.  It was comforting knowing she was relatively near by, a four hour drive is far but it meant a few visits a year.  Now, they are heading much further south and I am sad to see them go.  I miss seeing my best friends and talking to them face to face often.

 

Raleigh lived up to all I'd hoped it would be, except for that darn humidity.  If you see me bright red and sweaty in the pictures, well, it was over 100 and HUMID.  We visited a great farmer's market, you know what a sucker I am for those.  The kids ran around the awesome children's museum that was a steal at $5 admission.  Of course, Heber's favorite part was the electricity section (you know, he's an electrical engineer).  We ate a divine meal at the Pit, seriously, one of my top meals ever.  Those po boys alone are worth the trip.  We visited Pullen Park, a charming complex with a train and carousel and playgrounds that are in shade no matter the time of day (that is my kind of park).  And, you already read about the bead store (swoon).  It was great, except nobody slept.  But sometimes, it's worth it just to be there with old friends.     

 

Oh Raleigh, may we visit again. 

North Carolina Again

I ran away this week.  I did.  Nothing is wrong, I just get fed up with the day to day and need to get away sometimes.

The kids and I drove down to North Carolina to visit an old friend from Logan.  I really didn't have plans to go but I just did it.  Threw all our stuff in bags and we were on the road a couple hours later.  We all need an occasional crazy in our life. 

We didn't do anything big, we just talked and hung out with the kids.  It was wonderful to talk to her in person.  We talked about Logan and dancing and all that ancient history, about our parenting challenges and brainstormed ideas to be better.  I like my life in Virginia but I do miss talking to my best friends face to face.

I grew up driving a lot.  That's what happens when living in a small town.  We would drive all the time and talk.  Some of my favorite memories are being in the car with my sisters and mom on the way to dance lessons (a 45 minute drive).  There was a lot of life worked out in that car.  Driving is my thinking time. 

 

I came home renewed and filled with ideas to be a better mom and to make our home better too.  One of the many things I'm going to do is to institute a weekly menu plan.  I've never jumped on board of selecting a specific menu because I get to the day and am not in the mood for what I selected.  She instead plans a category for each night, a salad night, a soup night, casserole, family favorites, leftovers and a new recipe night and cooks something in that category.  I swear, I hate getting to 4:30 everyday and standing in front of the pantry trying to decide what to cook.  Now I will only have to decide what kind of salad or soup or whatever that evening's category is.  Awesome and so much easier!  

New Years

We celebrated the new year with a visit from some friends.  Janette and Sasha came up and we spent several days eating good food and seeing the sites. 

Having visitors in my home used to be so exhausting but now, I really like it.  Maybe it's because we actually have a comfortable space to host.  The other part is that it's interesting to see first hand how others deal with the wild toddler phase. 

We rang in the new year with fireworks that Leo deemed "awesome!"  We did our traditional burning of grievances in the fire.  It was a long list for me this year, I'm blaming it on all the emotions and stress.  We roasted steak dipped in rock salt (an old Logan tradition) and ate smores.  If you haven't ever eaten meat that way, boy are you missing out.

 

It was a good way to celebrate the new year.  There are some traditions around the world that say that what you are holding at the new year will indicate what the year will bring.  Some tuck extra money in the pocket in hopes of a fruitful year, others wear new clothing, or have good food in hand.  Me, I want good people around me in the coming year and so what better way to celebrate.  Good people, happy communities and a full life. 

I've learned a lot this year and can see how I've changed.  It was a year of stretching and expanding.  I hope the next year's grievance list is short!

As part of Heber's stocking, I got us tickets to go up to the top of the Washington Memorial.  It is one site that we have never seen but always wanted to.  As you know, we're big George Washington fans.  It was under renovation before and then we had an earthquake that shut it down for several years.  Well, the stars finally aligned and we were able to get in.   It's the tallest free standing rock memorial in the world.  We could see out in all directions for nearly 50 miles.  Just loved it. 

The view from the memorial

Leo checking out the view from the top.

What it's really like sometimes to sightsee with kids.  They really did awesome most of the time but hunger plus toddlers is no good.

One of the views.

   The rest of the visit was a blur.  Filled with traditional Lawrence fare (7 layer dip) and Ukranian food (Sasha is from Ukraine and New Years is a huge holiday in Ukraine, even bigger than Christmas).   It was so nice to visit with a good friend who's been there for me through so many things.  They are moving in the coming year and won't be as close anymore and I am going to miss seeing them several times a year. 

Well, here' s to a new year filled with good things.  Let's make 2015 the best ever!

North Carolina

Well...we did it again.  We stayed in a hotel this weekend.  I thought I'd sworn them off forever (not really, but do you remember the 32 nights we spent in one this summer?).  It was not that bad, we actually had a great time. 

This picture just sums the whole trip up.  The kids were troopers.  Amy is such a fun girl right now.

We took a road trip this weekend down to North Carolina to visit some old Logan friends.  We don't have hardly any family here on the East Coast but the Kudin's are like family.  Janette was blessing her new baby and we couldn't pass up the chance to support them and celebrate their new little guy.

I met Janette years ago in an Irish Dance class. She's known me through several variations of myself.  You know what I mean, right?  First as a newlywed, as a grad student, and now as a mom.   Don't you have variations of yourself?  I feel like I learn so much and grow in each phase of life that I'm a different person every few years.  We are still in the moving in portion of Virginia and few people really know me and my history.  It's nice to have a face to face conversation with someone who does.


We had a very low key trip with lots of good food and conversation.  I have to say that my favorite part was just being in the car with Heber and having nothing but time to talk.  We've reached a phase in life where there seems to be an infinite number of things to do and needs of little people to be met.  It all filled me up and made me feel happy about the world, even if we didn't see or do anything groundbreaking, well, except for that Mennonite Restaurant, that food was pretty life changing.  We enjoyed it all immensely. 

Weddings and Births

There are two events in people's lives that you have to be there to celebrate, their wedding and having a baby.  People will remember for the rest of their lives who was there at those times.  I know that I do.   I think this is the case for more than just the first baby too, doing something special for the second or third on down is important. 

The Mom's and kids. 

So, a couple of weeks ago, I threw a baby shower for my friend who was expecting her second.  She wanted the husbands and kids to be able to come too and so we made a party of it.  As a mom of two, there are so many kid centered events that I attend that I wanted to make this one a little more grown up.  I did candles (yes, even with all those little ones, and they did great!), I did a more grown up menu of enchilada's and mexican food.  Who would have thought?  Me, the absolutely reluctant hostess, putting together a party with decorations and even a favor (thank you Christy for inspiring caramel apples for everyone to take home).  If you had said this to me years ago, I never would have guessed. 

We held it out on our beautiful deck.  Officially my favorite part of the house!

Amy, standing up!

The whole crew

I was pleased with how it all turned out and I think everyone had a good time.  So happy to celebrate little Lucas! 

I thought I'd share some recipe's because I am always on the hunt for new great recipes and these two are ones that I cook all the time. 

Black Bean Spread (from Cooking Light)
I make this one all the time.  It's quick to whip up and so delicious.  Even the kids like it!  When I make it just for us, I usually half the recipe and just do one can of beans.

Ingredients

3 garlic cloves, peeled 

1/2 cup chopped fresh cilantro 

2 tablespoons fresh lime juice 

1 1/2 tablespoons extravirgin olive oil 

1/2 teaspoon salt 

1 (15-ounce) can black beans, rinsed and drained 

1 (15-ounce) can black beans, undrained 

Cilantro sprig (optional) 

With food processor running, drop garlic through food chute; process until minced. Add fresh cilantro and next 5 ingredients (through undrained beans), and process until smooth. Garnish with cilantro sprig, if desired.

Beatrice Johnson's Chicken Enchiladas (a Grantsville recipe)
Never half this recipe.  Ok, just kidding, it's so delicious you will really want them all and it will make a ton.  I often freeze a pan when I make this.  They taste just as good coming out of the freezer. 

Combine and set aside
1 pint sour cream
1 7 3/4 oz. can green chili, Ortega
3 cups chicken breasts, cubed and cooked
2 10 3/4 oz cans of condensed cream of chicken soup

Cook in a pan until soft/tender
1 cup water
1 onion chopped
1 cup celery
2 cups carrot (really!  Vegetables in the recipe!)

2 1/2 cups grated cheese
1 package tortillas

Prepare vegetables to cook and place in water to cook for 45 minutes.  When thoroughly cooked, mash or pulverize.  Boil chicken (I usually use canned chicken or a cooked rotisserie chicken from Costco).  Assemble the sour cream, chilis and cream of chicken soup, add the chicken, the cooked vegetables and the cheese and mix.  Scoop ingredients to a tortilla and roll.  Place in pan.  Bake at 350 degrees for 30 minutes covered.  

Mount Vernon By Candle Light

 

It's no secret that I love Mount Vernon.  We've only been here a couple months and I have been down there twice already.  There are places here that I am continually drawn to, and Mount Vernon is one of them.

I've had a D.C. bucket list for years.  I have all sorts of bucket lists but especially D.C.  What's on it, you ask?  Well, going up in the Washington Memorial (never done), Visiting the East and West Wings of the White House (back when I was an intern, Heb and I did this together), Attending a function attended by the president (not yet, does it count if I've seen him in person?), Visit the National Cathedral and attend Easter Mass there (nope) and see Mount Vernon by candle light.

 

A couple of weeks ago, we did just that. Our friends got some tickets for an evening picnic.  I guess it was for people who lived in the area that used to be the George Washington Estate.  It was awesome.  We picnicked on the Potomac, took a special tour of the basement and enjoyed a great evening.  Our friends gave us the tickets.  We are so thankful for them in our life.  And, really, everything is more special when done by candle light.

The basement at Mount Vernon.

Trains and Toddlers

It was wild at our house today.  There were toys everywhere, kids running and playing and laughing (and of course hitting, they're 2).  The mom's were over today with all of the little ones, six two year olds, 2 babies and six moms (two of which are due very soon).

See what I mean?  Chaos!

I have been waiting for this moment for a while, for the house to be filled to the brim with joyful sounds.  This is what makes a home feel like a home.  In the midst of all the trains and trucks, there were conversations happening.

Leo ready for his friends to come.

All morning long, Leo and I were talking about our friends coming and I could barely get Leo to eat breakfast because he was so excited.  He wanted to show them his room.  As people were packing up, Leo ran to the window and said, "my friend Zach is gone.  He's gone." 

It really felt like our home today.  Opening your home and coming together is what it is all about.  Homes are meant to be filled with our friends.

Amy liked it too.  She jumped right in.

Leaving Logan

Heber and I are moving to Virginia, as we speak.  The movers are at our house right now and once again packing our whole life into a truck (this time is so much nicer because THEY are packing the boxes).   We are flying out this weekend to start our (semi)new life.   We sold our home here and are officially homeless until we can find a place there. Who would have thought we'd be heading back to Northern Virginia?

Am I nervous about this?  Absolutely (I’m a basket case but I’m trying to hold it in).  Yet, do I feel it’s the right thing? Yes.  No doubt.  If there is one thing I have learned from this experience, it’s that Heavenly Father is very aware of me, of what I need and is willing to help, if I ask.  It’s the most incredible feeling in the world to be able to receive an answer to a prayer and I have seen it so many times even just in the past couple of months.  

I know that moving to Virginia is the right choice for our family right now.  I know it.

So, we are saying goodbye to Logan for the second, and most likely, last time.  It’s strange to not have any ties (except for friends we love) to Logan anymore.  It’s like all the loose ends are tied up.  This second Logan chapter has been one of the more challenging experiences in my life but I have learned so much.  I know why we had to make 2 cross country moves in a year.  It seems crazy to the outsider but it has been an experience that has changed me and made me better, oh and tired too.  Still, I wouldn’t change any of it.

Here are some pictures as we said goodbye to Logan.  It is so hard to say goodbye, there are so many people there that we care about.  Good thing we have phones and computers and can keep in touch.  There are so many more pictures I could put up, so many people.

My dear friend Co after a full hour of Irish Dancing

My mom and sis.  So sad to be away from them.  These are my people.

Mom L and Grandma Barbara.

Leo and cousins.

Amy and Uncle Peter

Our family.

The Relief Society Presidency in my last ward.  These women loved me, helped me and gave me so many opportunities to serve.

Heb and his folks who helped so much on moving day.

The Palmer boys.  Wish we could come out and watch more of your soccer games.

My dear friend Emily who was my sanity during all the craziness.