mother earth and random thoughts

I really like yoga. I am not really good at it. Not super flexible, too much extra padding in the way. But I like it, and I keep trying. This morning in yoga I was in my crow pose and my yoga instructor ( how I love yoga instructors... all wise sage wisdomy and stuff) suggested that this pose is good because our heads are near the ground. Here we can send all of our negative energy to Mother Earth (the ground). Mother Earth will take the negative energy and turn it into something good.

I like that thought. My belief in God falls in line with this. And so I am going to try to be better about giving away my negative energy, and finding peace. Moments later in yoga I was sure that my friend and I were going to be kicked out of the class for giggling uncontrollably. Totally not appropriate yoga zen spirit. But they let us stay. Thank goodness. I say any work out class that ends with you laying on the floor meditating in the dark for 2 mins. is just about as good as it gets.

Speaking of mother earth. I am excited for our garden this season. I love dinners when they are always accompanied by a side of fresh veggies steamed to perfection. Yum. I can hardly wait.

I like the Spring fling/cleaning aspect of spring. We attacked the garage last weekend and it is all clean. Feels so good. Now onto the rest of the house. My goal... Every closet and drawer will be cleaned out. I'm sure this will take well into summer. This practice can be a bit scary though because I can get overzealous and start really getting into "throwing out." I once threw away my wallet (on accident, of course) the day before vacation. Who does that?

We have been all black and blue here. John sprained his ankle in a rousing indoor soccer game. The previous week his team was crowned champions of the "Over 30- B teams" league. Doesn't get much better than that when you are pushing 32. I do hope he recovers quickly though. I need a spring time bike buddy, and asap. I know he is itching to get out there too.

Speaking of the bike I want to ride more this summer. I am feeling the panic of turning thirty without a big huge accomplishment or something. I know, I know... I am a mom and that is an accomplishment in itself. It's just that... well, I dunno why I feel that way, I just do. Like I said, I feel the panic, so I am addressing it by- accomplishing a little thing. I hope that makes me feel all peachy. Salem Spring Triathlon- first weekend in June if you want to join me. I have done this race before, and I really liked it. Super fun! So if you are up for it... Join me.

Parker is in a "why" phase. It is intense. "Why are we going to die?", "Why do we go to heaven?Are there toys in heaven? Why do cars have windcloppers (aka windshield wipers)? Why are we cleaning the garage? Why do we live here? Why, Why, Why." It is pretty funny and also very deep. I am thinking of keeping track of all of the questions he asks, just for a day. It is pretty amazing.

Ruby is teething and walking. She is crazy and awesome all bundled into one. And I am sad that my baby doesn't even look like a baby anymore. Why does it go so fast? I surely can't get enough of her cute curls. Too. Die. For.

Soph is a superstar kid. Lately her drawings and her book series that she is making/writing is just warming my heart. So far it's a 4 book series. The first book that she just finished was titled, "Cool You Rock". It was about queens, kings, and fishes. Simply priceless.

And I think that is all the random thoughts I have in my brain today. Perhaps there are more but I have been invited to a fashion show/play in the play room so I better go.......

Today....

Today I like that dinner is already made and in the fridge.

I also like that dinner ( Beachweek Salad) reminds me of sitting on the beach.

I like that Parker and Sophie are playing so nice in the playroom, even if it is a huge mess.

I like the diet coke cans with hearts on them.

I like my poor limping husband, and that includes his black and blue foot.

And I really like family, who always seem to "rally round" at just the right time.

I like that warmer weather is on it's way.

And I really like the Chocolate Peanut Butter Cream Cheese Pie I had for dessert yesterday.

Yep. That about sums it up.

Provo Fire Station

A couple weeks ago we drove down to Provo to visit our friend "Fireman Josh" and his darling wife and kiddos. We got the full fledge Fire Station tour. Way better than any field trip. It even included a pizza party in the Fire Station. Thanks guys. What a super fun day. Especially for Parker, who just LOoooooooves all things "fireman".

Parker watching Josh raise the ladder.

John getting in on the fun.

Parker and Preston flexing their muscles.

Ruby chillin'.

Soph.

Parker raising the ladder.

Sophie shooting the hose with "Fireman Josh".

Parker with the hose.

*as a side note: Josh is one of the three pictured below in the "Mexico toe touch" picture. Such talent....

can't forget this one.

I was scrolling through my photos and saw this picture. I remembered that it somehow never made it to the blog. Oh, it makes my day every time I see this beautifully crafted work of art.

Well done boys. Well done.

all sorts of fun...

Snow kicker 2010

JD doing an awesome jump.

The boys

Ruby and John

Ruby LOVED sledding. She could have gone a zillion times. Here she is with Soph at the top of the hill. So cute! She screamed happily down each run!

Ruby, not sure what she is wearing, or doing..

Ella and Sophie

Parker, being Parker

Thanks friends for such a fun day! It was so fun to hang out with everyone!

the marathon birthday

My little baby turned six! How is it possible? It was days of celebration. How fun!! John decided that birthdays are just perfect for someone like Sophie, someone who loves the extra one on one attention, that truly she doesn't get a lot of. I told him that "oldest children and their needs" are still a mystery to me. He he he. Just kidding.

Soph is seriously becoming such a delightful little kid. I just adore her super big heart, her kindness to her siblings, her cute LOVE for all things fashion and her "over-excitement" to EVERY meal I make. Gotta love her. She is so fun.

Birthday breakfast

Out to lunch with Mom at Zupas.

Getting her ears pierced! So fun!

Birthday cake and presents at Grams with both sets of grandparents and some family!

The super exciting first (and maybe only) pet: Naranja the fish.

The birthday party "up do" from Lauren, the hair professional.

Cute Lauren, gave all the girls a fancy hair do!

A tea party lunch with hair do's and manicures

And the dolls included, they were invited for lunch

The darling crew for the party!

(thanks jenny for the idea. i copied abby's party without you even knowing it!)

Happy birthday Soph! What a fun couple of days.... We love you!!

And how could I forget? A sleepover at Mushie's with breakfast at The original Pancake House.

Good grief. Her 7th birthday is sure to be a let down.

Happy Valentines Day

For your listening pleasure this Valentines day, a few of our favorite love songs.
5- Time After Time- Eva Cassidy. Skillfully combines two of my deepest "cred-busting" loves- coffee shop folk and top 40 pop music. Could be a minute or two shorter, still pretty solid.


4- I Will- The Beatles. One of my fav love songs, which isn't saying a whole lot because I don't really love a bunch of love songs. Also one of my favorite Beatles songs. Now that's saying something.


3- God Only Knows- The Beach Boys. Beautiful song and sentiment. Considered by some* to be the only thing close to "the perfect sound."

(*listen to "At That Day" by Paul Jacoben and the Madison Arm.)

2- Slow Show- The National. One of Ashley's all time favorite songs. Can't fault the girl's taste here. "you know I dreamed about you, for 29 years before I saw you."


1- The Book of Love- Magnetic Fields. Maybe John's number one pick. Peter Gabriel just released a cover which seems to be getting some play. I haven't heard it yet. Can't imagine it topping the original though.


Happy Valentine's day.