Bikes and Scooters

I started this post on Monday I'm just now getting around to finishing it. I guess it just means that I have been busy. Our little Luke has developed a love for the outdoors. He wants to be outside all the time. He loves it so much that he has taught himself to ride a scooter.

Every afternoon this what it looks like at our house. Max is outside with his buddy ridding his bike and Luke is trying to keep up.  Life is good, this is what I dreamed of, to live in a neighborhood where kids are safe outside and playing. 

My younger brother celebrated his birthday on Saturday.  He invited us to join him for a birthday camping trip.  We were happy to attend.  The kids love camping and hey I'm always up for a S'more.  Here is his birthday picture. Kevin took it. He says it looks natural. I think I look like a dork posing for a soccer team and John looks like he is smiling in his sleep.  But hey we documented our fun.

Fly Out Fly In

Luke and I went to CA this weekend for my sister in-laws bridal shower. I brought Luke because he would fly for free and all the fam wanted to see the handsome little man. I got to stay with my parents for a bit and party with family. As luck would have it it was November 11, 2011 on Friday which happens to be my niece's and sister in-laws birthday. So I wanted to make an effort to recognize when it is was 11:11 am on 11/11/11. I was in Bed Bath and Beyond picking out a gift with my mom.  And then later I thought something magical should happen at 11:11 pm on 11/11/11. So I stayed up and made a wish.  I'm sure it will come true right? My mom says I just can't make up stuff like that. Well I just did. Now I have it all planed out for next year when in will be 12:12 am on 12/12/12. Who's with me?
The 12th of Nov. was on Saturday so I got to take pictures of a whole different scene. Here are my 12 pictures that day.  Find out more about the project here.

1.   My mom made egg and ham sandwiches in yummy pita bread for breakfast.

2.  Pictures with Matt. Why he never wears a shirt I will never know.

3.  We took a little shopping trip to Kohl's and found the kids some new Sunday clothes.

4.  Bridal shower time. Candy and Meagan

5.  Meagan with her YM leaders who happen to be my YM leaders as well just 10 years before.

6.  Great food at the party.

7.  And more great food with the little party favor.

8.  Grandma Lola. I'm so glad I was able to visit with her.

9.  Mom, Pop and Luke.  Luke is showing us the new trick he learned from Uncle Matt.

10.  Flying home Southwest form the Burbank airport.

11.  Luke and Hannah (said with a Norwegian accent) on the plane.

12.  Baggage claim.

When I got home I found that Kevin and the kids had the house clean. They had even moped the floor!!Thank you Thank you. 

Today I laid in bed until 8:30. Unheard of really. Max and Lilly made sure to come into my room, love me and tell me they missed me.  They were excited to play with Luke, and Luke was happy to see them.

Today a church I was called into the Young Women program as the Beehive advisor.  I must admit I'm so excited.  This will be the first time I will be in Young Women since I left the program at 17.  It's a new adventure that I feel ready for. 

Tomorrow is full of errands and preschool prep.  I really don't mind Mondays at all.

Some Thoughts on Gratitude

I have a lot on my mind, and sometimes when that happens I forget show gratitude for what I have.  My worries overshadow the happy joys that I experience many times on a daily basis.  When I get like this Kevin is quick to remind me "your life's not that bad toots".  And of course in good ole Laura fashion I do not take kindly to his wisdom.  So I translated it in my head so it doesn't sound so harsh.  Even though I know I need a harsh reminder a lot of the time.  Here it is, "Please lovingly remind me that I have much to be grateful for".  The phrase has been going through my head over and over.  The more I hear it the more I am able to see the little things that make my life rich.  It's a call to myself to be patient, show myself some love and enjoy the many blessings I have.  I know, simple right?  So why is it so hard to live it everyday.  I guess what matters most is that I strive to be grateful, and everyday it will become easier to do.  Then one day, I will be able to recognize blessings instinctively and I will have become a grateful person.

There are few things that made me smile or this week and I wanted to write them down.

This weekend was national digital scrapbooking day.  I know no one cares but Mandy and I but I can still get excited about this stuff.  I'm way behind with my scapbook. I lost my mojo. I forced myself to get a page done so I did 3 and I made a birth anouncement for Luke because I had always had felt bad that I never did one for him.



Saturday we had our family pictures taken.  Oh I had such high expectations. I was quickly reminded that Luke is 16 months old and he wants nothing to do with staying in one spot.  I know that Shari captured our family in its true light.  I know there will be a few good ones and they will be true to life.
Sunday morning I remembered how to make those square fortunes tellers.  I made one and let the kids play with it. Then they got making them on their own. They thought I was such a cool mom and it kept them busy all Sunday morning.
This morning I got a call from a mom that was volunteering in Max's class room. She let me know that Max had fallen in the mud this morning and needed clean pants and a clean jacket.  She was nice enough to come get them form our house since I am still carless.  I can't wait for Max to come home and tell me what happened.  Because if I had to put money on it I'm sure he put himself in a position that helped him slip in the mud.
The car should be here today, thank goodness. 4 weeks without a car is hard.  I only survived because I have great friends that were willing to take me places and creative planing.