Belize started Pre-school, here is the traditional 1st day of school shot! She is loving it and wishes she could go more but unfortunately I wish my wallet had more too so it will do for now. :)
We went to Quinten's AWESOME Star Wars birthday party! Complete with light sabers. My kids are unfamiliar with the ways of the force but it was strong with them (and after a few youtube videos prior) that day.


Oh the bubble machine- we seriously need one of these!

How the heck did she even do that?
Those are some large pants to fill, even for Belize.
I want to remove that sticker completely and lay a big ol' fat kiss on that sweet forehead!!!
Chocolate treat + funny face = awesome pictures!

See. Our house is filled with all kinds of cuteness!
Just a man . . . cookin' in his little kitchen.

"This stupid _____." I can't even remember what I called stupid.

As I'm doing the dishes Belize gets up from her chair and comes over to me. She says, "Let's say a prayer."
I'm a little befuddled but "Sure, okay."

"Dear Heavenly Father please bless mom that she won't say stupid and please forgive her. In the name of Jesus Christ, amen."

and that was that.

I LOVE that Belize beelines it, top speed, to her bedroom to change (in under 20 seconds) into a dance costume when I play Richelle's playlist (her dance music of choice lately).

Tonight Belize asked Brannon, "Why are there nails in your face?" referring to his stubble.

Rio has been so funny with his faces lately. When he gets upset, he furrows his brow and over-puckers his lips. Also, he thinks its funny to run circles around things (including me). Also, he stuck his hand in the back of his diapers and ate poop (technically he just tasted it), but wanted to have that written down just in case he has questions regarding the quality of his childhood.

You know you live in LA

if you have a nice car (said in a disgusted voice, not an impressed one). That said we did buy a new (to us) car this year and IT WASN'T A MOM VAN!!!!!! BOO-YA! This is me thinking I'm PRE-TTY cool right now.

if $400,000 won't even buy you ANYTHING to live in - except maybe a nice car (maybe most people in LA are homeless- that would explain it)

if you know what a fro-yo is and its not an 80s term.

if you wear a pair of ugg boots in 70 degree weather.

if you insert the word, "like" at least 2 times in each sentence. Its gotten so bad that I don't even, like, notice it, like, anymore which means I MUST be ,like, saying it like too! Ahhhhhhh!

if your local pharmacy is called, TJ (you know, Tijuana).

if you have a nanny who can barely speak english and you tell people your kid is bi-lingual (only english is second).

if you have a bouncy house at your kid's birthday party.

if you consider June to be gloomy. No joke they call it "June Gloom".

if the cheapest 2 day a week for 3 hours preschool you can find costs $210 a month.

if you who thought you'd wait until your kid was at least 5 (so they could remember) to visit the most magical place on earth suddenly find an ID in your wallet with your name and the SoCal Disney Annual Pass.

if you have a sandal tan and its March.

if you are a few minutes from the beautiful ocean, beautiful friends and you are loving your beautiful life!

Click for "You know you live in Wyoming"

A post about me

Since I'm the official picture taker/blogger in this family I've noticed recently that I'm not in many pictures. That doesn't mean that there aren't any taken of me, its one of Belize's speciAlities but typically I haven't showered, and she takes me by surprise so I look like walking death. But to document that there is indeed a mama bear in this story here are some pics of me that last few months.1) I'm am holding a staple to point out where I got my stomach stapled . . . . (its taken me weeks to come up with that joke, it's a proud moment) but seriously I stapled my shirt to my stomach trying to put the lock on my new staple gun (that is why firearms require a license) (which is AMAZING by the way). It was one of my very blondest moments (too bad I'm not still blond and am technically unable to offer that excuse) and had to yell for Brannon to come pull it out, I was utterly and completely shocked. See the two little dots of BLOODDDDDD!!!!

2) On the right (my left) is my stretch mark, mock me if you will but I adore it. It's so cute, it showed up with Belize, went away that then came right back with Rio. It reminds me of them and so it makes me smile.

This one I did have Brannon take cause this is so typical- us vegged out on the couch watching the television. Its those quality moments- ;)

And here are some of Belize's better shots:

AKA The showerless zombie!!! Be afraid- very afraid.

Rio amazingly posted this somehow and when I checked the blog- there it was! Such a smart boy!

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On this blog, I try to give an accurate portrayal of our life- the good, bad and the ugly. I do this purposefully, hoping that one day my kids will look at this and gain a new appreciation for parenthood and not get too upset with me when I'm old and senile.

Sacrifice without learning from that sacrifice is an exercise in frustration. - John Young (Misha's husband) Saw this quote and I believe it goes perfectly with these videos.

2:30pm

4:00pm, same day

Somewhere in between

(Taken in the summer of 2008 when we were on a medical rotation in Wyoming. It was Memorial day and Brannon, Belize and I went with Grandma to put flowers on ALL of her relatives graves, in the pouring rain! To my surprise her name was already on the marker next to Grandpa's. I asked, "Doesn't that weird you out?" "No," she replied matter-of-factly, cheerfully, reassuringly that someday she would honored to have her body layed by his side. She cried that day, in the falling rain, missing her sweetheart and we were just content to be there with her & memories.)

What a weird place- the place somewhere in between. Are you coming or going? Are you still living or are you dying? The answer is both. Coming and going, living and dying. When my dad was the Bishop of our church, I remember that he had to conduct a lot of funerals, many of whom he did not know the individual. I often thought that it would be very difficult to talk at someone's funeral who you didn't know but I do remember this poem that he shared frequently as being as tender and pertinent for each of those persons.

"A ship sails and I stand watching till she fades on the horizon and someone at my side says She is gone.

Gone where? Gone from my sight, that is all. She is just as large now as when I last saw her. Her diminished size and total loss from my sight is in me, not in her.

And just at that moment, when someone at my side says she is gone, there are others who are watching her coming over their horizon and other voices take up a glad shout - There she comes!

That is what dying is. An horizon and just the limit of our sight.

Lift us up O Lord, that we may see further. " - Bishop Brent

My Grandma Gregg is under the care of my parents right now, she is at the end of her earthly journey. A year and a half ago she was the most vibrant, healthy, get up and go Grandma I've ever seen! She has served missions in 3 countries with my Grandpa. She given countless service to her church, neighbors, friends and her family. Just 5 years ago she went with our family on an 11 day boat trip down the Grand Canyon. Truly an inspiration of what someday I would like to become (man, I need to start exercising and drinking vanilla soy milk ;)).

Still, in this time of journey's end, she is an inspiration of quiet strength, faithful endurance and amazing grace. Although I'm sure she is frustrated that her brain is not allowing her body to do the things she wishes, she is the example of patience and perfection. And soon, her body will free her spirit into the open and loving arms of her dear Tom, who is so excited, he can probably barely stand it. And he gives gooooood hugs, like a big 'ol growly bear.

Aren't we all somewhere in between? Are we living to the fullest? Are we experiencing the greatest joy along with our sorrows? Have I done any good today? Do I know where my children are?!?!!!! (Oh yeah, Belize is in Rio's bedroom listening to Scripture Scouts and Rio is under the desk at my feet with his blanket).

I'm sorrowful for the pain she is feeling, I'm excited for the homecoming she will have, I'm honored that she is MY Grandma, I'm thankful that she embraced my husband and my children with her love, I'm blessed because of the choices she has made in her life including raising my Dad and converting to the mormon faith, I'm grateful for the example she has set and I'm joyful for the love that we share together and the close relationship we enjoy. I'm thinking of the biggest, warming, comforting, long and loving hug, then I'm closing my eyes tightly and sending it through time and space and hopefully she will feel it. I love you Grandma.

An Exhibition of Will & The hippest hoppest girl I know!

This winter Belize took her first dance class. It was a hip hop class through the city that she took with her friend, Lucah Jager. Remember this story(you have to scroll down to the second story).

Well, in follow up with the whole sweater incident- the next time she went to class the teacher invited the parents in to watch before their performance the next day. Belize was not staying in her spot, she wasn't paying attention and Miss Vanya had to ask her multiple times to listen. Finally Miss Vanya called Belize over (mind you, the whole class and parents are watching) and told her that if Belize couldn't listen then she would have to sit with the parents and not dance. Belize said okay, and then firmly planted herself in her spot, arms behind her back, serious expression - and stayed that way the ENTIRE dance. I thought surely the music & peer pressure would move her but no! Her feeling had been hurt and she would not be swayed. At the end of the routine Miss Vanya came over (realizing that Belize was upset) gave her a hug and after that Belize was perfectly fine, danced the whole routine the next round of music. I have a picture (unfortunately I'm having a difficult time transferring it from my phone). It was pretty much awesome. And although I'm all for listening to your teacher and consequences, I'm really proud of my girl for recognizing her emotions and standing up for herself in a quiet yet impacting way. I love her and her strong will!

Lucah, Belize and Ian, she loves those guys!
I had to bribe the pants off - correction- ON that girl! She STONGLY DISLIKED her costume, and I had to promise all sorts of things to get her to wear it for the performance (remember, this is the girl who doesn't where pants). I'm aware that I already lost out on the Mother of the Year award so I might as well go with it, right?
Some sweet moves.
Movies: 1) Before the dress rehearsal 2) The performance 3) Class performance for the parents (make sure you get to 2:00 for the shimmies)

Dear Heavenly Father

Belize wanted to write a letter to Heavenly Father tonight- this is what she had me write in a card:

Dear Heavenly Father,

I love you and please forgive me (we had a discussion about telling the truth tonight when she said she'd put away the silverware and hadn't). I like you. I will send you some muffins. Please for my cut and Jesus is helping my cut feel better. Thank you for my friends. Thank you for my necklace and everybody else. Please give us more oranges on a tree. Please don't let the sun go down . . . so please.

Love, Belize

Wilson Park

The other week we all went with our good friends- Silvia and Zara to Wilson park to explore, although most everything was closed the Train Museum was really cool and the kids had a good time running around and riding the train.Someday when I post about Rio's attempt to run away from home (don't we ALL have a story like that), I can post this picture.

Look at that cute nose! I don't know why but I love this picture.
Zara and Belize. Good luck ever getting a picture where they are smiling and looking at the camera at the same time.

(Insert funny caption here)

Did you know?

Did you know that we have dance parties in our living room almost once a day?

Did you know that Brannon bikes 12 miles a day?

Did you know that Brannon's alarm is set for 5AM?

Did you know that Rio's smile melts my heart?

Did you know that every time Brannon gets home, Belize freaks out and hides under the table because she wants Brannon to find her and Rio runs for Dad's water-bottle.

Did you know that Belize reads Rio stories?

Did you know that my Uncle married my Grandma's sister and my Grandpa's sister? (not at the same time, polygamy has been illegal for quite a few years now. :)

Did you know that Brannon and I have the same calling in our church? Secretary.

Did you know that the first two months of our marriage were the worst?

Did you know I just reupholstered our ottoman?

Did you know that our first date was to a Mariners baseball game followed by a Genuwine concert (TERRIBLE) except we weren't on a date with eachother?

Did you know I didn't get my ears pierced until I was 18?

Did you know Belize has a dimple on her left cheek from running into the corner of our old condo?

Did you know that sometimes Rio disappears into his room and reads books to himself?

Did you know I hooked Brannon up with the first mormon girl he ever dated? (and it wasn't me).

Did you know that we belong to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints? (I'd be surprised if someone didn't know- haha).

Did you know that Brannon, Rio and Belize have birthmarks?

Did you know Brannon and I have a love fern that has died several times but never fails to return?

Did you know that my kids love baths and showers?

Did you know that Brannon plays the saxophone?

Did you know that I'm not a fan of Disney princesses but Belize loves them?

Did you know that one time at a medical school party Brannon introduced me as his girlfriend to be funny (I was quite large and pregnant at the time) and months later when he referenced his wife, a fellow med student said, "You got married? Congratulations!"

Did you know that Belize will not wear pants or shorts?

Did you know that Rio says yeah instead of yes?

Did you know that my mom is selfless and amazing?

Did you know I love my family? - I thought so.

Belize

Dance

Why?

Dresses

A-pop (Ariel's sister)

No buttons

Books

Salmon

Disneyland

Treats

Rio

Garbage Truck

Water bottle

Broccoli

Belize

Dogs

Snuggle

Naked

Milk

More Milk

25 lbs 12 oz

32 inches?

Not alone

"Alone." This topic comes up frequently in my head. People ask if I'm lonely. Heck, I ask myself if I'm lonely. Brannon's schedule has been uh well, busy. The reality is that we don't get to see him that much (he just had his first day off in 2 weeks). But the truth is that the majority of the time I FEEL like we get to see him a lot. We still manage to go on dates, watch Burn Notice and Chuck on hulu, and talk with each other at night. The kids have great relationships with him and it feels as if he is an intricate part of their lives.

I also know that this sense of quality comes solely through Brannon's efforts to BE here for us when it counts. No joke, they call him Mr. Fantastic at work. I've never witnessed anyone work so hard to get home- he is a machine. It makes me feel so good that A) he WANTS to be with us and B) I never NEED to worry (although I won't lie- I do anyways). He is constantly reassuring me that "we can do this" and I believe him and I feel comforted.

Tonight we stopped by Brannon's work (he's on call) to bring a plate of cookies. Luckily he had a break in the action and we got to go inside and say hi to all the people he works with (its nice to put faces to names). When we got to the floor, Brannon had to leave us by the elevators while he checked in w/ someone and there was a woman sobbing on the floor next to the elevator. Brannon came back and we moved to a conference room. Brannon explained (to me) that her husband had been shot in the chest and it didn't look good. We probably stayed 5 minutes and then headed back to the elevator where the woman was now wailing, "I can't do this alone." He didn't make it, she had an 11 month old baby.

I think its natural to wonder what would happen if you lost your sweetheart. While I worked at Childrens' Hospital Hem/Onc clinic, I was friends with many families who'd lost a loved one. I had and still have mini panic attacks quite often actually thinking about if it were me.

But however terribly I would miss that person, I will never be alone. I am never alone and for that I am grateful.

The event of the year!

Richelle's photographer sent me a link to download the wedding pictures. I had fun editing them for funsies. Here are a FEW (okay, a lot) of my favorites.









Belize loved being Richelle's flower girl- mostly because of her twirly dress that Nana made for her and her flower girl shoes, which she picked out herself.

The breakdown: Sarah, Belize, Kyle, Darren, Richelle, Paul (Dad), Debbie (Mom), Shauna (Me) and Rio (Brannon was in his surgical intern year and couldn't make it, he was there in spirit!)
The Sistas!!


Rio is such a gansta! This is about the only picture of him because he was super interested in the hallways that evening.


Daddy/daughter dance.
The couple snuck away without telling anyone- how rude!