Pride goeth before the fall...

Just last night I was reading some of my friend's blogs about the destructiveness of their little ones. I commented to Warren: "We've really been pretty lucky, our kids haven't really done too much damage." (They've done their share of pulling books, cds and dvds out of shelves, and making lots of messes, but they haven't broken much that I can remember.)
Well, today I was also going to prove to my parents that I'm not constantly putting my children in front of the TV so I just left Rebecca and Joseph in my room while I took a shower. Big mistake. I came out to find a whodunit worthy of being on "Clue" cards.

The results:

-Joseph
-with the red permanent marker
-in the bedroom.

And I might add that the dresser was only 2 months old! Thanks to a quick acting Grandma, a bunch of comet and a lot of scrubbing -wonder of wonders- it actually came off.
I learned my lessons:

1. My kids can and will be destructive.

and

2. Stick your kids in front of the TV no matter what you think your parents might be thinking. (I have to add, they haven't ever said anything about my kids watching TV, it was just my own pride.)

3. Hide the permanent markers.

Anyone else have any lessons they want to share with me so I don't have to learn them the hard way? I'm all humility right now....

Celebrating a life

My Grandpa Ralph

My Grandpa passed away Friday, January 30th 2009 after a fall two weeks earlier from which he never regained consciousness. He was a great man who lived a great life.

Two memorial services were held for him, one in La Mirada, California with 500 people in attendance and another in SLC, Utah with 300 people in attendance. People said of him at the services more than once that he was the most generous man they had ever known. He did most of his service to others anonymously. In fact, any of you that have ever gone to the Los Angeles Temple Visitor's Center have enjoyed his generosity without knowing it. My Grandpa's mission president was S. Dilworth Young. At the end of S. Dilworth Young's life he was the president of the Los Angeles Visitor's Center. To honor him, my grandpa wanted to do something nice for his mission president. My grandpa built and paid for much of the construction of the women's statue garden (based on the Relief Society Monument to Women in Nauvoo, Illinois) in front of the visitor's center. He did this anonymously but my mom felt that now that he has passed on it was appropriate to honor his memory by sharing this deed with those who knew him.

My grandpa knew poverty and riches, health and sickness, ups and downs. He knew how to work hard and he knew how to play hard. As a grandchild he was the most fun grandpa a grandchild could possibly want. In his house was a fireman's pole sliding down from a loft to the room below. His house was full of exciting items he and my grandma had picked up on their numerous trips around the world and nothing ever seemed off limits to look at and enjoy playing with. His yard had a trampoline, a tennis court, a hill with a "rollercoaster" going down the hill, places to explore everywhere, a swimming pool, a waterfall, huge rope swings, 60 of the most delicious tomato plants you have ever eaten and his beloved hammock. It was in the hammock he spent hours telling Rebecca fairy tales. She knows "The Three Little Pigs" and "Goldilocks" because of my grandpa. His garden truly was a paradise and he let anyone and everyone enjoy it. He left behind a loving, wonderful posterity who honor his name.

Good bye Grandpa Ralph, we will miss you...
(taken in the plane on the way home from Utah)

Happy Valentines Day 2009!

The amazing, creative, homemaker mom inside of me wants to make homemade sugar cookies from scratch, homemade icing and handmade valentines. The practical, busy, with a huge to-do list mom is just glad that I managed to buy the pre-cut-out heart shaped valentine cookies from the grocery store. Hey, at least I did something. Right?
Happy Valentines Day everyone! Hope you feel loved. You are.

First Five

taken from susan's blog, which was taken from cath's blog (which was taken from kate's blog)...see how this whole chain of giving gets started?...cool:

the first five people to respond to this post will get something made by me!
my choice. for you. this offer does have some restrictions and limitations:
1. i make no guarantees that you will like what i make! (Dorothea inserts:but hey, I'll try)
2. what i create will be just for you.
3. it’ll be done this year. {translation: you may be waiting a little while}
4. you have no clue what it’s going to be ... it may be cards, a poem, a bookmark, something yummy or a complete surprise to you (and me!) ... who knows? not you, that’s for sure!
5. i reserve the right to do something extremely strange. (Dorothea inserts: I don't think it will be strange even if someone else might...)
6. most importantly, you must offer the same deal on your blog - the first 5 people to comment on your blog (or if you do not have a blog, facebook) get something made by YOU! the first 5 people to do so and leave a comment telling me they did win a FAB-U-LOUS homemade gift by me ...

Those were the rules as copied exactly from Susan's blog. However, I'm going to add an idea. If you're not the kind of person that wants to make something tangible for others, how about some kind of service for them, any type, any size. And furthermore...I'm really easy. If you just want the gift from me but really don't want to keep the chain going, still sign up-I won't hold you accountable. I'm just excited to make something for someone else. Hey, and since I have 2 blogs there are double chances! And don't forget, the number of comments below doesn't equal the number of people that have "won."

Joseph's first car

We treated Joseph to an early birthday present. Thanks to craigslist we found a decent price on a cozy coupe (those things are SO expensive!). Joseph has loved playing with them at other people's homes. It was a total success. He spent the first half hour just getting in and out of the car and driving little bits. He would not share with his sister for a very long time. He was very possessive. I've never seen him "own" something this much in his life. He loves it.

Keeping big sister busy and away from the car :)



Joseph took his driving very seriously

updates

Just a reminder that I just posted lots of musings on my other blog: californiamuse.blogspot.com
It might not be amusing, but it's a muse musing. Yes, I've always loved ancient statues of the three muses. There's a hint for you at why I chose my "blogger name." (Although that's only part of it.) Happy Reading!

PS

I totally forgot one of the best parts of Christmas. We did an impromptu nativity play per Rebecca's request. The cast included Rebecca as Mary, Joseph as the angel Gabriel and a King, Dorothea as a Shepherd and a King and Fred as Joseph and a King. We quoted a little of the Luke story from memory and sang a few songs. The best part was Joseph saying his lines: "Hark!" and "Baby." Now that's one of the true joys of Christmas!