Today a friend of the family said to dave "Denise looks really great. She's not even that big for being due 6 weeks from now."
Dave's reply, "oh really, I don't think so. I am always telling her how huge she is."
Afterwards, I tried to explain to dave that there isn't really a circumstance where I would consider it a compliment to be called huge. This was quite a shocker to him since as a guy he likes to be big. Hopefully with this new understanding he will quit telling me, "You are so big, I can't imagine you getting any bigger."
Sunday, May 29, 2011
Friday, May 27, 2011
sea world - lots of pictures, not so many words
touching ice
bff's
in the polar bear cave
daddy's legs are always a little extra heavy when the girls are around. In daves words "The girls are always finding new ways to hang on me all the time."
waiting in line.
on the rides with dad. (mom is too pregnant to hide the baby bump and isn't allowed on anymore.)
bounce house fun
calvin and lex love to see elmo and bert or whoever else might be there on any given day. Clare is TERRIFIED of all character people and stays far, far away.
father and daughter. Don't they look alike here? They both have long skinny arms and legs.
dave decided to sit in the soak zone with alexey for the shamu show. they got soaked. dave is not even ashamed to admit that he used lex as a shield.
bff's
in the polar bear cave
daddy's legs are always a little extra heavy when the girls are around. In daves words "The girls are always finding new ways to hang on me all the time."
waiting in line.
on the rides with dad. (mom is too pregnant to hide the baby bump and isn't allowed on anymore.)
bounce house fun
calvin and lex love to see elmo and bert or whoever else might be there on any given day. Clare is TERRIFIED of all character people and stays far, far away.
father and daughter. Don't they look alike here? They both have long skinny arms and legs.
dave decided to sit in the soak zone with alexey for the shamu show. they got soaked. dave is not even ashamed to admit that he used lex as a shield.
Tuesday, May 24, 2011
priorities
Last weekend we had our annual stake women's day where we hear speakers, make a craft, do a service project and eat lunch. It is a nice event. Usually I am with kids so I either miss it entirely or just go for a while. One year I was speaking and went only to speak and didn't hear anyone else. It was nice to be able to go this year for the entire time and without kids or babies.
The beauty of events like these is that everyone can learn what they need to learn there and hopefully be uplifted and strengthened at the same time. For me the take home message was about priorities. If we have our priorities in line, other things will fall into place. Obviously this is nothing new but it was a good reminder to me that the best way to be happy and feel good is to put first things first. As we have learned "Wickedness never was happiness." we can then understand that the best way to happiness is righteousness. And we are in total control of our own righteousness. Things, circumstances, events, other people cannot make us happy or not. If we are righteous, we will be happy and that is in our control all of the time no matter what is going on around us.
Julie Beck said, "A good woman knows that she does not have enough time, energy, or opportunity to take care of all of the people or do all of the worthwhile things her heart yearns to do. Life is not calm for most women and each day seems to require the accomplishment of a million things, most of which are important. A good woman must constantly resist alluring and deceptive messages from many sources telling her that she is entitled to more time away from her responsibilities and that she deserves a life of greater ease and independence."
I love that quote. Although it is important to have a break and also some personal time, thinking that we are entitled to more ease or comfort is a dangerous thing and can leave us feeling unhappy.
Our stake president at recent stake conference said, "You are only as happy as you are grateful." After thinking about this I believe it is true. If we are grateful for all that we have, we will feel happy. If we are thinking about things that are lacking, unfair or whatever, we will not be satisfied.
Back to priorities... 1st we must take care of the essentials. prayer, scripture study, temple, fasting, time to ponder. It is amazing how these really take very little time (20 min to read, pray each day), yet are so easily skipped. How is it that we don't have time for this yet have time to read blogs, books, magazines or talk on the phone, check facebook or watch our favorite TV shows?
2nd comes the necessary things we have to do to live: food, relationships, housework, self-reliance, work, I'd put exercise here
3rd comes hobbies, crafts, fun stuff
(credit to marilyn faulkner who spoke on some of these things and made a great handout about prioritizing our lives)
The beauty of events like these is that everyone can learn what they need to learn there and hopefully be uplifted and strengthened at the same time. For me the take home message was about priorities. If we have our priorities in line, other things will fall into place. Obviously this is nothing new but it was a good reminder to me that the best way to be happy and feel good is to put first things first. As we have learned "Wickedness never was happiness." we can then understand that the best way to happiness is righteousness. And we are in total control of our own righteousness. Things, circumstances, events, other people cannot make us happy or not. If we are righteous, we will be happy and that is in our control all of the time no matter what is going on around us.
Julie Beck said, "A good woman knows that she does not have enough time, energy, or opportunity to take care of all of the people or do all of the worthwhile things her heart yearns to do. Life is not calm for most women and each day seems to require the accomplishment of a million things, most of which are important. A good woman must constantly resist alluring and deceptive messages from many sources telling her that she is entitled to more time away from her responsibilities and that she deserves a life of greater ease and independence."
I love that quote. Although it is important to have a break and also some personal time, thinking that we are entitled to more ease or comfort is a dangerous thing and can leave us feeling unhappy.
Our stake president at recent stake conference said, "You are only as happy as you are grateful." After thinking about this I believe it is true. If we are grateful for all that we have, we will feel happy. If we are thinking about things that are lacking, unfair or whatever, we will not be satisfied.
Back to priorities... 1st we must take care of the essentials. prayer, scripture study, temple, fasting, time to ponder. It is amazing how these really take very little time (20 min to read, pray each day), yet are so easily skipped. How is it that we don't have time for this yet have time to read blogs, books, magazines or talk on the phone, check facebook or watch our favorite TV shows?
2nd comes the necessary things we have to do to live: food, relationships, housework, self-reliance, work, I'd put exercise here
3rd comes hobbies, crafts, fun stuff
(credit to marilyn faulkner who spoke on some of these things and made a great handout about prioritizing our lives)
Monday, May 23, 2011
balboa park - science center and playground
We love going to Balboa Park. It is a beautiful place in the downtown vacinity with huge trees and beautiful buildings, the zoo and lots of museums.
We have a pass to the Reuben H. Fleet science center and we have enjoyed going there probably 10 times in the last 3 months. It was a special treat for the kids to bring daddy with us this time! The kids feel like they own the place and wanted to show dave all of their favorite things to do and see.
building towers
playing the marble game
the do, un-do game
the cell exhibit (as a cell biologist myself I LOVE this place). I think it would have been great even for my college age students to see.
We saw a movie in the IMAX theatre about two different rescue facilities for baby animals. One in Boreno for Orangutangs who lose their mothers when the trees are cut down and one in Africa for elephants who lose mothers when they are hunted for their ivory tusks. It was a fun movie.
We splurged and paid $2 to let Calvin and Lex experience hurricane force winds with Dave.
The playground at balboa park is great. I regret that Lex is wearing such ugly clothes in what would have otherwise been some cute pictures!
I can't tell you how many times I've had a near panic attack thinking I have lost a child only to find them under this darn turtle. You really can't see them at all when they are hiding under there!
We have a pass to the Reuben H. Fleet science center and we have enjoyed going there probably 10 times in the last 3 months. It was a special treat for the kids to bring daddy with us this time! The kids feel like they own the place and wanted to show dave all of their favorite things to do and see.
building towers
playing the marble game
the do, un-do game
the cell exhibit (as a cell biologist myself I LOVE this place). I think it would have been great even for my college age students to see.
We saw a movie in the IMAX theatre about two different rescue facilities for baby animals. One in Boreno for Orangutangs who lose their mothers when the trees are cut down and one in Africa for elephants who lose mothers when they are hunted for their ivory tusks. It was a fun movie.
We splurged and paid $2 to let Calvin and Lex experience hurricane force winds with Dave.
The playground at balboa park is great. I regret that Lex is wearing such ugly clothes in what would have otherwise been some cute pictures!
I can't tell you how many times I've had a near panic attack thinking I have lost a child only to find them under this darn turtle. You really can't see them at all when they are hiding under there!
Friday, May 20, 2011
the rest of the vacation week
the rest of the week --
tues: Dave's class (dave is taking a crazy math class for biostastics phd people) got a new dishwasher, calvin had scouts and gymnastics too
wed: girls' playgroups in the morning. Dave, Calvin and I took a trip to the mall to get redeem the see's candy certificate Calvin gave me for mother's day. It is now Sunday and I am happy to report that I have not yet eaten the entire box!!
Afternoon afternoon trip to balboa park museum and playground..followed by dinner at the most crazy authentic mexican place in san diego. Tacos el Gordo. You can get tripe or cow head tacos as well as some that are a bit more edible. The we did a craigslist trade: my single bob for a double. This pregnancy I have felt particularly big and the extra weight has bothered me more than it has other times. I am so excited to get back into shape in the fall! Before I got pregnant I was walking every morning with Lex and the dog. I'm planning on starting that up again with Lex, baby and dog in september.
th: friends over to play wii, boy bookclub, park, dave made dinner and home made doughnuts, date night to old town
friday: sea world, souplantation, chorus concert
saturday: stake women's day, orange county to see the larsens.
I have left the tv plugged in most of the time giving the kids a chance to watch some cartoons and letting Calvin play wii a bit. This has been fun for them and also nice for me since Calvin goes to the TV and quietly watches or plays games 'til everyone else gets up.
Dave watched ET with the kids and also the 1st Indiana Jones movie.
Dave did the dishes a couple of times :) we ate out a lot so that I wouldn't have to cook much.
pics to follow...
tues: Dave's class (dave is taking a crazy math class for biostastics phd people) got a new dishwasher, calvin had scouts and gymnastics too
wed: girls' playgroups in the morning. Dave, Calvin and I took a trip to the mall to get redeem the see's candy certificate Calvin gave me for mother's day. It is now Sunday and I am happy to report that I have not yet eaten the entire box!!
Afternoon afternoon trip to balboa park museum and playground..followed by dinner at the most crazy authentic mexican place in san diego. Tacos el Gordo. You can get tripe or cow head tacos as well as some that are a bit more edible. The we did a craigslist trade: my single bob for a double. This pregnancy I have felt particularly big and the extra weight has bothered me more than it has other times. I am so excited to get back into shape in the fall! Before I got pregnant I was walking every morning with Lex and the dog. I'm planning on starting that up again with Lex, baby and dog in september.
th: friends over to play wii, boy bookclub, park, dave made dinner and home made doughnuts, date night to old town
friday: sea world, souplantation, chorus concert
saturday: stake women's day, orange county to see the larsens.
I have left the tv plugged in most of the time giving the kids a chance to watch some cartoons and letting Calvin play wii a bit. This has been fun for them and also nice for me since Calvin goes to the TV and quietly watches or plays games 'til everyone else gets up.
Dave watched ET with the kids and also the 1st Indiana Jones movie.
Dave did the dishes a couple of times :) we ate out a lot so that I wouldn't have to cook much.
pics to follow...
Tuesday, May 17, 2011
family camping
We did a one night family camping trip to William Heise park. We stayed in a cabin which was a nice thing since it was super cold (into the low 40's at night). It was a nice mini family vacation. The kids had a GREAT time and Dave and I liked it too. It was 100% percent preferable to a trip to Disneyland or a busy city someplace like that becuase the kids can play and do as they please without getting lost or into trouble.
This is our "little house." The kids spent a great deal of time in there, since it was so cold. We arrived around 4 or 5pm and the kids changed into pjs and played in bed.
The kids thought of the house as a giant doll house...the loved being able to adjust the curtians and lights however they pleased.
For dinner we had hot dogs and s'mores
the girls were too busy loving their treats to look at the camera and smile
and then it was bed time...the kids basically put themselves to bed since it was so cold outside.
Clare had to sit out by the fire and wait for the others to go to sleep because she "can't sleep with everybody talking and keeping her awake." She and Dave got to play in the fire for a while.
When dave and I went in to the cabin to go to bed it was HOT. At first I thought it was just the contrast from the very cool evening but after taking off my coat and hat I realized it was actually super warm in the cabin. Someone had turned the heat all the way up (yes, we love camping with a heated cabin)! It was 80 degrees inside! Calvin had already stripped down to nothing, while sleeping, since he was so hot. Dave unzipped the girls footie pj's so they wouldn't over heat!
Clare slept on the top bunk, Calvin slept on the bottom and Lex slept on the bed inbetween and on top of Dave and I. Lex thought that was great and has been trying to talk one or both of us into sleeping with her every night since we got home.
In the morning Calvin got up early (5:30ish) and we played games quietly inside the cabin since it was too cold to go outside. We played tic-tac-toe, hangman, war. Everyone was up by 7 or so. Lex was the last one awake and was so excited to get up in her "new house." Good morning lex!
We had a little fire w/ breakfast.
Then we went out for a hike. At the trail head was a sign about mountian lions. Dave read the entire thing to the kids. As he finished Clare started screaming and saying she didn't want to go on the hike. Sometimes I wonder why he enjoys teasing Clare so much. Does he love hearing her scream? Anyway, Clare was daves close companion during the hike becuase Dave did eventually convince her to come saying that he would protect her from the mountian lions.
The hike was about one mile --a beautiful hike up to the top of the hill and then down again. The kids did pretty well and enjoyed it (until we saw mountian lion paws and scat and clare had another breakdown). Here are some pics
(when I see myself in a mirror or a picture I get a song in my head. You know that song Gaston sings? "so I'm roughly the size of a barge?" Yes, I'm getting big. Dave says I am "so big he can't imagine me getting any bigger." there are times when honesty is NOT the best policy.
After the hike we packed up and went to the playground in another part of the park. We played there, collected lots of acorns and then started for julian. Julian is a little mountian town where they make great pie. For lunch we had home made chicken pot pie followed by dutch apple carmel pie. YUMMMMM.
On the way home we saw a camel dairy. We had to stop and look at the camels a bit. It wasn't open so we couldn't see what a camel dairy actually produces...milk, soap??
This was a super fun and great family trip. The kids loved every minute of it. We decided we'll try to make an annual tradition. The kids hope SCOTT and LANCE will come with us next time!!!!
This is our "little house." The kids spent a great deal of time in there, since it was so cold. We arrived around 4 or 5pm and the kids changed into pjs and played in bed.
The kids thought of the house as a giant doll house...the loved being able to adjust the curtians and lights however they pleased.
For dinner we had hot dogs and s'mores
the girls were too busy loving their treats to look at the camera and smile
and then it was bed time...the kids basically put themselves to bed since it was so cold outside.
Clare had to sit out by the fire and wait for the others to go to sleep because she "can't sleep with everybody talking and keeping her awake." She and Dave got to play in the fire for a while.
When dave and I went in to the cabin to go to bed it was HOT. At first I thought it was just the contrast from the very cool evening but after taking off my coat and hat I realized it was actually super warm in the cabin. Someone had turned the heat all the way up (yes, we love camping with a heated cabin)! It was 80 degrees inside! Calvin had already stripped down to nothing, while sleeping, since he was so hot. Dave unzipped the girls footie pj's so they wouldn't over heat!
Clare slept on the top bunk, Calvin slept on the bottom and Lex slept on the bed inbetween and on top of Dave and I. Lex thought that was great and has been trying to talk one or both of us into sleeping with her every night since we got home.
In the morning Calvin got up early (5:30ish) and we played games quietly inside the cabin since it was too cold to go outside. We played tic-tac-toe, hangman, war. Everyone was up by 7 or so. Lex was the last one awake and was so excited to get up in her "new house." Good morning lex!
We had a little fire w/ breakfast.
Then we went out for a hike. At the trail head was a sign about mountian lions. Dave read the entire thing to the kids. As he finished Clare started screaming and saying she didn't want to go on the hike. Sometimes I wonder why he enjoys teasing Clare so much. Does he love hearing her scream? Anyway, Clare was daves close companion during the hike becuase Dave did eventually convince her to come saying that he would protect her from the mountian lions.
The hike was about one mile --a beautiful hike up to the top of the hill and then down again. The kids did pretty well and enjoyed it (until we saw mountian lion paws and scat and clare had another breakdown). Here are some pics
(when I see myself in a mirror or a picture I get a song in my head. You know that song Gaston sings? "so I'm roughly the size of a barge?" Yes, I'm getting big. Dave says I am "so big he can't imagine me getting any bigger." there are times when honesty is NOT the best policy.
After the hike we packed up and went to the playground in another part of the park. We played there, collected lots of acorns and then started for julian. Julian is a little mountian town where they make great pie. For lunch we had home made chicken pot pie followed by dutch apple carmel pie. YUMMMMM.
On the way home we saw a camel dairy. We had to stop and look at the camels a bit. It wasn't open so we couldn't see what a camel dairy actually produces...milk, soap??
This was a super fun and great family trip. The kids loved every minute of it. We decided we'll try to make an annual tradition. The kids hope SCOTT and LANCE will come with us next time!!!!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)