Mother's Day-pros and cons

Mother's day can be good or bad it depends on how you look at it.
1. It is good to sleep in a little bit.
2. It is bad (or sad) to realize that your baby's diaper had overflowed from all the watered down root beer she had drank the night before.
3. It can be good if you snuggle with your kids and husband in bed all morning. Thank goodness for 1:00 church.
4. It can be bad if you make mental lists of how to improve as a mother as you listen to the sacrament meeting talks.
5. It can be good when your husband has been listening to all the hinting about you needing a good dictionary and thesaurus (especially the Oxford American English type.) and he actually remembers to get it for you.
6. It is bad when you worry what all the clanging in the kitchen is when you have been sent to bed by your eight year old and told not to get out.
7. It is good when you realize that all the banging is yummy French Toast that your husband and son made for you.
8. It is bad when your one year old daughter decides she needs to share the french toast too and spills syrup on the comforter, creating more laundry to do.
9. It is good when the nursery workers tell you just to leave your crazy seventeen month old child in there, it doesn't matter if it is a month early.
10. It is bad when you sit in Relief Society missing her and sad that she is that grown up.
11. It is good to go see our wonderful moms and be grateful that they put up with temper tantrums, attitudes, poopy diapers, and crazy ideas.
12. It is bad to have to squeeze two visits in such a little amount of time after getting out of church at 4:00.
13. It is good to realize how lucky I am to have my children.
14. It is good to snuggle your daughter as you carry her sleeping from the car.

Another quick thought:

If you give a Mom a muffin,She'll want a cup of tea to go with it.She'll pour herself some.The tea will get spilled by her three year old.She'll wipe it up.Wiping the floor, she will find some dirty socks.
She'll remember she has to do some laundry.When she puts the laundry in the washer,She'll trip over some snow boots and bump into the freezer.Bumping into the freezer will remind her she has to plan dinner for tonight.She will get out a pound of hamburger.She will look for her cookbook (101 Things to Make With a Pound of Hamburger).
The cookbook is sitting under a pile of mail.She will see the phone bill which is due tomorrow.She will look for her checkbook.The checkbook is in her purse that is being dumped out by her two year old.She'll smell something funny.She'll change the two year old.
While she is changing the two year old the phone will ring.Her four year old will answer it and hang up.She remembers that she wants to phone a friend to come for tea on Friday.Thinking of tea will remind her that she was going to have a cup.She will pour herself some.And chances are......If she has a cup of tea......Her kids will have eaten the muffin that went with itAuthor: Kathy Fictorie

Happy Mothers Day to all you wonderful moms I know.

Things Not to Forget

There is something about going on family vacation that makes you appreciate life more. I had forgotten this. Yes, I remember the long drives as a kid and the arguments over who sat where in our big blue van and who was trespassing on who's seat room. Yet, I will never forget how close I felt to my family afterward. We would do all kinds of things to commemorate the vacation. I think we didn't want it to end. As I remember these fond memories, I am so glad to experience it with my family as the mom. This past week my children have seemed so precious to me. First of all, I think all husbands should get a week off every couple months. Not to sound spoiled but, what isn't better to being able to have your best friend with you 24/7? Some of you might say this is overkill, I might have said that before this past week, but there is nothing like waking up next to Aaron, spending the whole day together and then going to bed at the same time. I also miss Harris terribly when he is at school. The house is way to quiet. I miss all his jabbering about Pokemon or Chaotic or whatever the new craze is. I miss his keen observations and his jokes involving plays on words. Anyway, all these thoughts have brought me to one conclusion: there are oodles of things I never want to forget. I think that is what blogs help us do: capture and store fleeting thoughts and memories. So, if you will indulge me for a moment, I have complied a list of things I really hope never to forget.

1. My name (it could happen...Harris already accuses me of not responding when he calls me

2. Harris calling his friends 'dude' and saying 'sweet'

3. Harris saying peppy-oni

4. Harris calling a candy necklace a "Paul Simon" when he was two

5. Anna's two-step dancing

6. Anna singing Baby Bumble Bee and emphasizing 'ouch'

7. Harris getting baptized

8. Harris's mis-matched button job on his scout shirt

9. Anna saying "night, night" and blowing me a kiss

10. Anna calling Ellie next door 'baby' and demanding we need to go see 'baby' every time we are outside

11. Anna seeing baby cousin Avery for the first time

12. Anna stealing Harris's corn bread

13. The things I find in Harris's pockets

14. Family Dance Parties

15. Harris on California Screamin'

16. Harris holding Anna for the first time

17. Anna exclaiming "bro-bro, bro-bro!" all the way to get Harris from school

18. Harris's tea party for Anna

19. Hiking after a rainstorm

20. fishing in Idaho, Falls Creek Falls

21. Idaho (it really can be memorable.)

...to be continued

More Writing

I know you are all waiting impatiently to read about our fabulous trip. Yet, I though I would give you a heads up. I wrote a little message on the sidebar about my new blog. This blog contains some of my writing. I am working on a few new things, one which is posted and wanted somewhere to get feedback. Come and see what I have been writing and leave a comment. Also, I have invited everyone I know and could thinkn of to join but, if I have missed you e-mail me or leave a comement. This is a step I decided to take to protect my work. http://www.morestoriesbykari.blogspot.com/

The Happiest Place on Earth

Yes, Disneyland Really is, "The Happiest place on earth." Well, let me just say, it is the happiest place when you have the ones you love the most with you. I apologize for the sentimentality but we had the best week. I don't know what was better riding Space Mountain with Harris or Anna's exclamation of "OOH!" (lots of emphasis on the "OOH!) when she saw Aaron bringing some ice cream. Driving home Saturday Aaron and I contemplated whether we should turn around and go back. After a quiet morning with just Anna I'm wishing Harris had another week off school and Aaron just didn't have to go back to work quite yet. Anyway, here are a few quick travel stories for you. If you would rather, just scroll down and take a visual tour.
At the start of our trip, we wondered if taking a seventeen month old child was a mistake. Yes, Anna got bit car sick. Luckily, it was right when we pulled into Aaron's grandma and grandpa's house in St. George. We soon found that giving her a little dose of anti-nausea medicine helped and the rest of the trip was smooth sailing. Nonetheless, we had one fatality-Anna's baby. Thank goodness for a sweet grandma who allowed Anna to have the baby, Anna's new favorite thing, that is community property of all the girl great-grandkids. Thanks grandma.
We had a great time visiting with Aaron's grandparents and saw a magnificent sculpture exhibit at the St. George Temple Visitor's Center. It was a great sabbath day experience. Visit http://www.ajsculptures.com/ for more sculptures.Ia href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiR11oURrr9qpVQRT7KsdlT80lTRzZdj2_pwwW2z17Gf-yyK-SiUYltzuftm1E1cFSHbmBi_qj9i7gGOpJdELnASO4ifkl4Fr-roWiQccOka9XmHlBc4Xk4wQPoLPJYCweXs0maZl5T3qhw/s1600-h/christ+angela+johnson.bmp"> (sorry for this, the picture left when I deleted it)

If you are in the St' George area during the next couple months, go and see it. The sculptures are amazing and the sculptor, Angela Johnson, is self-taught former opera singer.

Enjoy the video is of a park we went to with his Grandma and Grandpa. Anna was cracking us up. Not only because of the giggles on the swing but, we taught her the baby bumble be song and she would exclaim "ouch!" from the bee stinging her every thirty seconds. She also decided to practice saying hello all the way down. It was funny listening to all the L's get jumbled in her mouth. We would her her say "yello, lello, heello, lello,(I swear I heard jello in there somewhere)," over and over again.
Here we are outside the Tiki Room in Disneyland waiting for my favorite show and having my favorite snack, whipped pineapple juice. I believe this is the only place you can get this snack and it is the only food item worth paying money for in the park. Since I was little this part has always been a favorite of a Disneyland trip. The best is when Aaron said it was his favorite too. I'm glad he still remembers sharing this yummy frozen treat and seeing the bird show on our honeymoon.
Harris wanted to do all things space and future. We spent most of our time in Tomorrowland and when we were not there he kept of thinking of reasons we needed to go back. One of the highlights was Jedi Training. As soon as Harris read that that he too could become a Jedi, he was watching the clock until the show started. Too bad that he didn't get chosen to participate. I think his height did him a disfavor. Yet, he still seemed to love it. We saw what we would look fifty years from now in the house of the future. Aaron looks a lot like his Grandpa Nydegger with a rounder face and I just look old. I have to apologize for not capturing these images for your enjoyment. Anna was pretty non-chalant the whole time. She just took it easy in her stroller. My favorite was taking her on the Carousel. She was so excited to be on her own horse that actually moved. It is also fun to stroke the plastic mane. She also meet Tiger, but wouldn't leave Aaron's sarms. The best thing was hearing her wave and say "hello" to anyone who would look at her. She fell asleep in Aaron's arms during Pirate's of the Caribbean (her second time through). There is nothing like the boom of cannons and drunk pirates to lull you to sleep.

In the end it seemed to wear her out good. On the last day, we found her like this as we were living the park.

Ah! La Mer! I am still finding Southern California sand all over my house and car. Yet, it isn't as bad as when Harris emptied his pockets on the carpet when he was four. In fact I find myself, smiling at the mess. I love the beach. If it weren't for the outrageous gas and housing prices, I would make Aaron find a job tomorrow and we would move to a little beach community. The wild sounds of the ocean crashing and the never ending vista of water calm me. It was cold the day we went but, that didn't stop Harris from wanting to take a dip. Aaron went along and Anna had to be held back from wading to deep to join her big brother. So, enjoy these beautiful pictures of the beach.

That night we ate at this Chinese buffet. Now I know what some of you are thinking but, we happen, especially Harris, enjoy having the selection at a good buffet. This one was very good. There was a lot of good fish and sushi. The funniest thing was Anna playing with the waitress. She would watch for her to come by and then say 'hi' or blow a kiss. It was soo funny. She also likes sushi, well California rolls, but that is about as brave as I get anyway. Yes, this was the place where Anna made both Aaron and I laugh out loud at her excitement in seeing ice cream. Funny how the simplest things can be so great. On the last day we visited Shamu and all other sea life at Sea World. This park seemed to be a little more Anna's style. She loved seeing the fish and making her fishy noises. They have this beautiful Beluga Whale there in there Arctic exhibit. It is pure white. It is so graceful and free.
Part of me wanted to jump in the tank and swim along side it. That is, if it wasn't so close to the polar bear tank and I could hold my breath underwater forever.

We also sat in the 'soak zone' on all the shows and only got a bit wet at Shamu. Harris was a bit disappointed, me, who made us sit in the last row of the 'soak zone' not so much. The day ended with us devouring pizza and root beer on the hotel bed and wishing we weren't going home the next day. Yet, life moves along and gives us reason for another vacation.

Disneyland Here We Come!

Hooray! We are off on Vacation on Saturday!! How excited are we to be going to Disneyland and Sea World, maybe experience some warm weather. Here are a few objectives for our trip:
Kari- Don't get frazzled packing and getting ready to go. Even if we forget socks, toothpaste, and sunscreen there are stores in California. Actually get to ride on the grown-up rides this time since Anna won't be in my belly.
Aaron- Enjoy a blissful week off of work. Be glad not to be worrying about labs, pagers, and cell phone calls at midnight (hopefully).
Harris- Ride Space Mountain and Bear River Run. Enjoy a crazy fun last week of his time off track.
Anna- Sleep and be sweet in the long car rides (hopefully). Become overwhelmed with all there is to see and do.
Stay Tuned for wonderful pictures and stories when we return!

Daddy's Girl

So, you know how you always promise you won't be jealous of your spouse? I know us, stay at home mom's sometimes have a fleeting desire to switch places with our husbands and join the work force, which really only lasts mere moments. Yet, I must admit, the one thing I am jealous of is how my sweet Anna, whom I have fed, rocked, bathed, cuddled, stressed over and been her only companion most days, says 'Daddy' nonstop when Aaron is around and somehow mommy, mama, and mom have dropped from her vocabulary lately. Last Friday when Aaron got home Anna ran to the door (or toddled real fast) to say "Hi Daddy" and pat his legs as she repeated "Daddy, Daddy, Daddy!" Now I know this show of affection is adorable. In fact I am so glad that she idolizes Aaron. I love how she kisses his cheek and makes a big deal of saying 'bye-bye' to him as he goes to work. Who doesn't like seeing the man they love turning into mush instantly when he hears his little girl's voice? Yet, tell me this, why has mama been forgotten? She says baby, and blanky, bro-bro, no (that is new today), fish,nana(which can mean Anna or banana), ball, book, yea, popcorn...but no mama. The only theory I have is that she sees me as just an extension of herself. Sometimes I feel that she is just this twenty-two pound growth on my hip. I guess I should feel lucky that our bond is so strong there is no need for names, we just are us.

Is it Spring Yet???

Yesterday morning I was dumbfounded when I woke up to go run outside, too little of time to go to the gym since Aaron had an early meeting, and saw snow. Not just a little but enough to make our whole neighborhood look like a winter wonderland. So, a little depressed, I climbed in bed and hibernated for another short hour. I think the worst part of this whole spring snow thing is that Harris is off-track and we or he has very little to keep him occupied. The good news is that he has been reading a lot of Harry Potter 7 and the bad news is he is going to finish, if this weather keeps up, in the next few days. What will I do with him then? Hopefully, it will warm up and we can go on trips to the park and all other sorts of fun outdoor activities. I once started a children's book about this topic, when it literally snowed on the first day of spring. I outlined all kinds of things you can do inside to make it seem like spring. Funny thing is, I decide to pick up that project recently and it made me a little depressed. Inside picnics and filling the kiddie pool in the basement seems like just a big mess and a bit unrealistic. Remember those years when it was seventy degrees at this time of year? There was nothing better than when all the kids emerged from their apartments at the university when the playground had thawed. I just hope (do I hope) that our mild season of cool (not cold) morning runs and light jackets to the park doesn't pass. Anyway, here are a few pictures of our spring so far.