Friday, February 11, 2011

{Laying foundations}

"If you have built castles in the air, your work need not be lost; that is where they should be. Now, put the foundations under them."



February 4, 2011
12:43 AM
{Chemistry 105}


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Wednesday, February 9, 2011

{Little Bird's Birthday}

Little Bird had a very happy little birthday last night. We ate pizza {one of the few dinner items the kid will actually eat} and I made him a cake.



I don't ever show the cakes I make for my kids on here because, frankly, I am as talented a cake decorator as a bread-maker. BUT, this time, I had a picture in my head, knew it would be easy if I exercised a little patience, and did a pretty good job {for me}!

Little Bird is obsessed with all kinds of transportation right now, but especially cars, so I made a fitting cake for him. When he saw it, he said, "WHOOOOAAA!"

That's about the best compliment a mommy can get on her cake skills. 

{You will notice that the sides are not iced...and that I ran out of icing to do all around the bottom. I could have easily made more icing. But I didn't--and I think that right there gives you a bit of insight into my personality. Straight-up lazy and impatient, and live by the motto "Done is better than perfect."}


{Ferrari zooming past "G" mountain...Little Bird even got to keep some of the cake toppers!}


Best of all, I think he liked it. 




{He even licked the ferrari clean. We call that a car wash.}



All the fun must have taken a toll on him, because today, the poor guy took a 7 hour nap. And then went to bed at his usual bedtime with no fuss.

Hoping it's a birthday growth spurt, and not that he's getting sick {again}. I'm done with the sickies!

Happy Birthday, Little Bird!

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Tuesday, February 8, 2011

A letter to my son, who turns two today...

To my dear, sweet, Little Bird:

You are two today! You father and I can hardly believe it. This year has been full of remarkable changes for you, as this marks the year that you turned from "baby" to "child." We have learned so much about you over the course of this last year, and as you reach the end of your second year on this earth, it is amazing to see how you have become "you."





You have reached the point in your life where I can no longer describe you in generalizations like "happy," "bashful," or "calm" because you are a full and round person. You are full of contradictions and nuance. You are simultaneously eager to please and intensely stubborn. You love helping and being in the midst of things, but have learned the power behind "no" and being insistent. (Your father and I were just laughing about your habit of breaking down your words to repeat them slowly and forcefully when your request is not granted on the first--or second, or third, or fourth--attempt.) You are at once madly in love with your sister and glean great pleasure from the nuisance you can cause her. You are both calm, observing what goes on around you, and wild, choosing to let loose and free at the drop of a hat. You are fearless, but still maintain that sudden need for comfort at injury or loss.


Some things which you are, purely:

Intelligent: I am amazed at how much you know. You can count to 20. You pick up idioms and repeat them with hilarity and skill. You are already learning letters and their associated sounds. You draw abstract scribbles and then spout off lists of what those scribbles are--all of which actually look like your art. You design and carryout great plans in your play. You have surpassed your sister at this age, I think in large part due to her example, in many of the things you know. You have started attending "Toddler Lab" and come home with more words and signs and things to do than I thought a little fella could learn in just an hour. Every day you pick up more everywhere we go.

Loving: The joy I feel when I hear you call out for me, or your father, or your sister is indescribable. There is light in you, and it grows when you share it with those around you. You freely give affection, which is only just starting to transform from open-mouthed reception of kisses to puckered up smacks; from a head on the shoulder to bonafide squeezes. Your sister is your idol. You follow her everywhere and imitate her play. When she is at ballet, you cry if she disappears from the view of the one-way glass, and rejoice when she reappears. We call you our monkey-see-monkey-do because you work to be like her, you learn from her, and you love her. You are her echo and her companion. You tell her sorry and give hugs when you hurt her, and you have started sticking up for her, even if she doesn't often return the favor.


Funny: You have started making jokes, playing tricks, and expressing your awareness of your sense of humor. You are also purely boy in this matter, as much of your humor revolves around crashing things, jumping from things, scaring people, wrestling with people, and bodily functions.

Beautiful: This beauty is more than simply surface beauty, though you have always had the ability to stop people of all genders and age in their tracks. You have a smile that is nothing short of astounding--it is the same smile I knew and saw when you first began to give them: wild, pure, uninhibited, and full of that metaphorical light which words can not describe. Though it sounds like mommy-drivel, I cannot help it: when you smile your fullest and purest smile, it is literally like a glimpse of heaven and for the briefest of seconds, I feel I have entered into the presence of God. I hope the world is good to you, and you always have that ability to open heaven to those who see that grin. That smile has literally saved me from myself more times than you can know.


In this year, you have learned to run, to talk, to play, to obey, to disagree, to count, to draw, to jump, to dress, to ask, to thank, to hit, to hurt, to apologize, to forgive, and to pray. Each day you learn more, and each day I am so grateful for the tremendous gift I have been given to witness that growth and learning, even though it flies by all too quickly. Each day you learn, and each day I learn from you.

Thank you, my sweet, bright Little Bird, for calling me "Mommy," and for being you.

All my love,
Mom

Sunday, February 6, 2011

{Winter Deep}

Hi there!

I talked to my sister the other day, and apparently, my last post made her pretty certain I was about to drive my family off a cliff.

For the record, I was not.

In fact, after I wrote that post of utter despair, I came to realize this: the weather is just the weather. I can't do anything to change it, and just need to make the most of it.

So, I went out and did the one thing that forces me to see things as beautiful, whether I think they are or not: I finally took some pictures.

Last week, just before the really INSANE temperatures rolled in, we got hit with an amazing amount of fog.

{I can, most days, easily see waaaaay up this hill.}



{Directly across the street from the water tower, usually easily visible, including the writing on the white portion. You can see how heavy the fog is, when I am less than 20 yards from it.}


{Okay, this picture is actually from a while ago, but here for comparison. This shows the farm land cater-corner from the University, and hopefully, you can see that there is a lot of visibility on most days. Way off in the distance is a house (actually a farmer's MANSION complete with hangar for his helicopter) on the horizon, about a mile away.}

{Here's what the land looked like on our foggy day. It was so crazy and just like staring at a wall. 
I'm standing in just the same spot as I was when I took the first photo.}


Cool, huh?

Here are a couple more from that day, just for kicks.


{This next one is actually a picture of the sun. You just can't see it. Because it's always hidden.}



Thankfully, the fog gave way, but with it came FREEZING temperatures. We, like the rest of the country, got some cold weather, and we sat in the negatives for a few days. I think the lowest we got was about -18, with a windchill of -35 or -40. Pretty impressive. (And also, rather painful to step outside/breathe in.)

The beauty of the weather was that it was TOO cold to snow. Meaning we got clear skies and SUNLIGHT!

In fact, we even got a few lovely sunsets, and night before last, a lovely little silver moon rose up in a gloriously blue sky:



And Rob found this on the seat of his four-wheeler (the towel he uses to cover the seat when he isn't riding it):


Frozen solid. Just like the rest of us! :) 

So glad it's February, regardless of what Punxsutawney Phil saw


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Wednesday, January 26, 2011

{Norwegian Winter}

Is is STILL January? I swear I am about to lose my mind.

I know that I try to keep it pretty chipper here, but we are all about to lose it here.

Poor Mister, (his name's Rob, I think I'm just going to start calling him that here, hooray) has the flu. Like influenza, the flu. He's completely miserable, and running himself ragged because he can't afford not to, though I think he's finally about to turn the corner.

Squirrel and Little Bird had nasty colds, which turned into double ear infections. Also, they must be feeling as bitter as the weather here, because they are ornery as can be. They don't want to go anywhere, and Little Bird even seems to think his pajamas are actually his skin, because he screams bloody murder any time I try to take them off him in the mornings.

I haven't taken any pictures, of just about anything, in weeks. Though I sometimes think the winter wonderland is looking lovely, the weather is just too dang cold to actually want to take a picture in the frigid open air.

There has to be a way to break up this monotony...I think a Caribbean cruise would be just the ticket...if only we could get the tickets....

Anyway, sorry for such a grumbly post, and my conspicuous absence as of late. We're trudging along, but slowly, and really, really looking forward to the spring. {Which, in eastern Idaho, should be here sometime around the 4th of July...}

Wishing you and yours sunny days and frost-free nights!

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Tuesday, January 25, 2011

Bread Making? or Brick Making?

So, about a year ago, I posted about my inability to make bread. I actually did manage to make a loaf from the simplest recipe EVER. I made several, as a matter of fact.

Admittedly though, I've been wanting to learn to make real, wholesome, whole wheat bread. I've been reading about sprouting grains and thought I'd skip learning to bake bread with regular flour and jump right into sprouted flour. I'm an over achiever by nature, and it seemed to me that it would be the same process...just with an added step or two.

Turns out, I definitely under-achieved on this one...

I'm not sure if I over-sprouted the grains or under-milled the flour, but I did manage to create the world's most dense bread in the history of the world.

For your enjoyment:

{Are these not the SADDEST "loaves of bread" you've ever seen?}



{Next to a can of corn and peppers...please note this is one of those short cans...
so the bread is even flatter than you think at first glance!} 



{Ah...sad, sad bread. And the wasted hours of sprouting, grinding, and baking.}


The Pioneer Woman had a contest last week for best food photos 
{some seriously gorgeous stuff posted over there!}.
I'm just waiting for her contest for ugliest food photos...
I'm pretty sure these babies would be WINNERS! 


Any suggestions? Because seriously, I need some help, people!

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Saturday, January 15, 2011

{An Illustrative List}

So much for daily posting. I am barely managing weekly.

As such, a random list:

1. I think {hope} we are finally emerging from the end of semester/beginning of semester chaos. I've made it fully through check-outs and check-ins and the onslaught of meetings, activities, near-constant door knocks, and seemingly endlessly similar questions that mark the change of faces we see every couple of months.

2. I started taking a Hebrew class. It is fabulously delightful to be learning something again, something challenging and new. I love school. LOVE IT.

3.  If my ancient Greek professor, Dr. Armstrong, were to read this, he'd probably laugh because my motto in my fourth semester of his class was "D's get degrees." I am hoping Hebrew goes somewhat better.

4. In discussing my Hebrew class, I explained to the Mister that my class is full of DORKS. He stopped, gave me a look with one eyebrow up and said, "Kierra..." almost as if to scold me, but then added, "You're taking a Hebrew class...you are taking a Hebrew class. For FUN."
              Ah...point taken; my class is, without exception, filled with dorks.

5. As part of said Hebrew class, I have been watching this video almost constantly. Squirrel quite likes it and requests it.

6. This makes me rather proud. {Please see item #4.}

7. Little Bird is sick. AGAIN. It feels like the kids and I only just recovered from a seriously nasty Christmas vacation bout with strep throat. And now the poor guy is coughing and has this sweet, hoarse little voice.

8. Why is it that every time it gets close to taking one of the kids in for their "well check" it seems like that happens to be when they are perpetually UNwell? I can't be the only one this happens to, or am I?

9. Real, true, eastern Idaho winter has set in. Feet of snow rise up along the sidewalks like highway road barriers, and the endless grey sky gives no hint of the time of day. This grey bowl that has descended makes me sleepy, and I swear I have already lost hours simply staring out the window in a wintery trance.

10. I already miss the sun and know, if last year is any indicator, it may be months before I actually see it again...

11. We did take advantage of the snow...well, we tried. Apparently, when it gets too cold, snow is no longer fun to play in because it doesn't pack--it just crumbles apart like so many tiny ice balls...

12. Here are some photos to prove it:

{Snow angel}


{Snow angel foiled by snow in the face...such devastation.}


{Oh my goodness, I am so excited I finally captured this kid's dark brown eyes. 
They are impossible to photograph!}


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Saturday, January 8, 2011

In which I shamelessly brag about my husband...

Around campus, there are a lot of students working doing a variety of things.

There are two jobs, which when the Mister sees being done, he says, "You couldn't *pay* me enough to do that."

The jobs?
Chipping ice (there is a lot of icy sidewalk to be chipped here in Eastern Idaho)
and cleaning the lounges to the girls dorms

The Mister recently got a job for the holiday break. He was hired by the maintenance department to fill work orders in the dorms over the break. I was appreciative that we'd have some extra income.

(I was even more appreciative that we'd have a maintenance guy that knew what he was doing and could get work orders done quickly. )

He was looking forward to doing something beside homework for a while. He said, "But still, if they ask me to do any custodial work, or any of that ice-chipping crap, I'll walk right out. I'm not in for that."
(The Mister...he's sometimes a little proud...)

On his first day of work, he and some of the other guys worked in the shop, filled some maintenance requests, and received some "training."

On his second day of work, he came home a little steamed up.

"We did two things all day," he said.
Oh, yeah? What's that?
"We cleaned the lounges...and then I chipped ice until I had blisters on my hands."
I inspected...yep, blisters. Sometimes, I suppose, the Lord tries us. He agreed, but didn't like it any better.

"I can't believe I did that. I've always said you couldn't pay me enough to do those things." He sighed. "I guess you can pay me enough. And I guess it's $7.70 an hour." Again, sigh.

I laughed, and then wrapped my arms around him for swallowing his pride, and being the kind of man he's always been--the kind that isn't afraid of hard work and cares enough about the rest of us to keep at it.


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Saturday, January 1, 2011

Happy New Year!

We've had one crazy year. 

Our lives have been turned upside-down and inside-out. 

But I wouldn't undo a thing, honest. 

A new year gives an opportunity to re-evaluate and recommit. 

I seem to always fail at resolutions, so here are a few things I have worked hard at this year, and I'd like to recommit myself to:

1. Spending quality time with my kids, practicing patience and love.
I love this list from the Mother Huddle of 40 Ways to Show Your Child Love. I'm going to try every (age appropriate) one of them!

2. Getting closer every day to nature through the foods we eat.
I'm learning to bake bread, and I hope to get to the point where we don't even have to buy it. I'm so grateful for amazing women on the web and in real life who are teaching me SO MUCH!

3. Let go of the consumer in me and embrace the motto "Make it, make it last, make it do, or do without." I'm pretty proud of our Christmas, but in it's aftermath, I can see how we can do even better.

4. Give more.
We are really blessed. I want to give more to those who are not as blessed as we are, more time, more substance, more everything. And I want to teach my children to do this as well.


What are your goals for 2011?

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Monday, December 27, 2010

Little Bird finally gets his first haircut!

You may remember a post a while back about poor Little Bird's crazy hair...or you might have noticed in this post how truly out of control it can be.

It finally became time to face the inevitable. Little Bird needed a hair cut.

For some reason, I had this need to be the first to take scissors to it. Even though I don't really have any idea what I'm doing. Little Bird, however, was smart enough to sit still just long enough for me to snip only once or twice.


{You can see how ridiculously long it is here, all combed out. And yes, he's wearing pink 
pajamas. He's totally jealous of Squirrel's glow-in-the-dark skeleton jammies 
(which she is afraid of), so he got to wear them. And I'm cool with that.}




{This is about where he started getting squirmy, so I tied those sweet little curls in the back 
and snipped them right off to keep for myself in a baby book.}


{*Sniff*Sniff*}


{And the next day, we headed to the beauty college for an actual cut.}


{Again, he sat still for about 30 seconds, so I am short on photos because 
I ended up sitting in the chair with him.} 

{Here's the finished product! It turns out he has the cutest ears ever and 
I am in LOVE with seeing them!} 


{Seriously, look at those adorable ears! And happily, he still has some curl.} 


{Next up for Operation Big Kid...getting rid of that pacifier...}



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Friday, December 24, 2010

Merry Christmas!




{This is what "Merry" looks like!}


{And this...gazing at the manger while Mommy reads the Nativity story...
this melts my heart.} 



"For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord."

May your Christmas be filled with love and wonder at the birth and life of our Savior.


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