Freezing, Barfing, and Having Fun

This is a catch-all for the non-birthday happenings in January/February. January saw record low temperatures in our area, so much so that the Snake River froze over! Nearest us, where we cross into Oregon, it only froze to the north of the bridge as we saw, but it had quite a stretch that was.

Right after Charlie's birthday, David got the stomach flu. There is hardly anything sadder than a sick little one. We were able to keep him hydrated until he began to keep foods down again, but it took several days so he got very weak. He would sleep in a bed or on a couch, get a little bored/restless and leave the room only to fall asleep on the floor or a chair.

So now for the fun!
The three oldest boys started swim lessons via an organized homeschool group at the Ontario Aquatic Center. They go every Tuesday for an hour (1/2 instruction, 1/2 free swim) for ten weeks!
Isaac's new competetive youth soccer team began practicing twice a week mid-February for the first game on March 2nd. Mark is co-coach with Justin Smith.
As things quickly became un-frozen, we returned outside. Played at various parks (but only bringing my camera once).

Isaac & Samuel (along with friends Hyrum and Ammon) attended Zoo Boise's homeschool class on reptiles mid-January, and birds this month. They are registered to do their class on mammals in April, as well. 

The coolest thing we did in February was attend the Boise Philharmoic performance of two Beethoven symphonies: his first and ninth. Magnificent! A really fascinating juxtaposition of works. Charlie took a little while to settle into it, but even he was enthralled with the majesty of the music. Great mommy & older sons date (I bought them truffles during intermission, too).

image via Idaho Statesman

McCall, Winter Tradition

Except for our time in Brazil, every year since Mark & I started dating there has been at least one winter trip up to McCall to play in the snow.

I thought snow was pretty magical when I was small. By the time I was a teenager, the icy white stuff started bringing out the Grinch in me. I've decided as an adult that my childhood perspective holds true, but only through a window/a camera lens, and for the sake of my own children.

This year, like most, it was an extended-family half-week up to the condo and I mustered just barely enough enthusiasm to pack 6 bags (each child, myself, my camera bag). Really (in my Grinchy defense) I was grumpy this year not just because I can't stand to be cold, or that I'm not a skier or snowboarder (and kind of have an irrational chip on my shoulder that it's just an indulgent rich person's sport) but honestly more that ever since Charlie's accident I've been feeling like I need a break. A serious time out from the demands of my life (easy and blessed as it is). I kind of bi-passed the trauma of the whole Charlie scenario while it was happening; was truly sustained by everyone's love and the miracles we saw nearly daily... But back to my real (yes, very blessed) life, my emotions are all over the place and it's just been hard to "get my head in the game" beyond the necessities. Okay, maybe I'm judging myself too harshly (especially when I see all the extra we did throughout December). But I digress.

In the inevitable confusion of heading out the door, I was wandering the house to locate this or that, one more diaper change, etc. and somehow just 6 bags made the trip up with us. (That would be Mark's bag, my camera bag, and the four boys' bags.) So my not-too-enthusiastic spirit was dampened further, but gratefully the condo next door had extra socks and pajamas (thanks Aunt Evelyn!) and my lovely mother-in-law lent me some of her supplies, so I did have some things to remind me to turn that frown upside down and count my blessings.

Some of those blessings, which I really should have admitted up front, are my wonderful in-laws, the beauty of McCall - especially where the family condo is located, and the opportunity to vacation there together. I know a lot of people would find a few days up in the mountains to be rejuvenating but for me, at this time, it just felt like stress and expectation and even higher levels of noise, and now no change of clothes or makeup, nor my oils or supplements or book... But I sucked it up and remembered not only all my enormous piles of blessings but also that I did at least have my camera with me! (And I was able to sneak in a much needed nap.)

So in McCall there was ski time for skiers and sledding, sliding, snowball fighting time for the stay-behinders.

Inside were meals, movies, stories, ipad sharing, and games. At least one late-night chat amongst some of the adults. And my poor attempt at a fun group portrait.

Saturday was David's birthday and he had a blast sledding with his daddy.

The others had an hour or two of fun too.

And then it was time to pack up and head down the mountain (still needed to make David's cake when we got home!). Sorry to any in the family who felt the grumpy vibe coming off me. I do love you and am so grateful to have you in my life, and in my children's lives! Now, here's hoping we make it up to McCall in the "good" season this summer!

Christmastime!

December is such a festive, wonderful month! Mark took me to dinner and to see Life of Pi for our anniverasry (end of November). LOVED the movie (about equal to the book - I think that's a first). We went to Seattle and got to spend some much needed time bonding with my family.

For my birthday, we took Isaac out with us to dinner and bowling (and then desert too). We owed him a date night with us since his birthday (in September) so it was perfect! My fab (flubber) friend Katee wanted to make me dinner for my birthday, so I roped her into just having us over one night so we could enjoy each others' company along with the food. Received a DVD, books, a bracelet, lotion, a sweater, coat & tights from friends & loved ones. My moved-to-Twin Falls bestie cut my hair gratis for my birthday. I also gave myself the present of a gym membership and started going to a wonderful Yoga practice that my friend Allison leads there.

Our ward had a Relief Society (women's group) activity with lots of treats and a class on making traditional gingerbread houses. My sweet friend who taught the class brought my family homemade gingerbread cutouts to build two little homes. I got lazy about the frosting & decorations and tried to use what I had in the cupboard, but it was great fun.

All month I did a question/scripture-search advent calendar with the boys. It was approximately Charlie-level so I need to come up with something better next year. I also semi-planned 12 Days of Service in honor of the Savior, but what we ended up with was about four great days of thoughtful service, petering out as we got busier or moods (mainly mine) swung. I think it did change our attitude sometimes for the better as we were hustling and bustling - the reminder to be thinking of others.

Charlie had his final check-up at the surgeon's office. It was a very personally spiritual day for me, as several prayers were answered in succession. The public one I'll share is that Charlie does not need the chest brace! Perhaps it was the continued prayers of so many friends, but his body miraculously reversed the outward curve the sternum had begun to form and is now in a totally normal position.

Mark & I managed to sneak in another date night, this time with old pals Nate & Leslie. Had a great dinner and conversation at Matsy's. We realized we had never hung out without our kids before!
I spent an evening and an afternoon helping to wrap up special treats for all the children and teachers in the Primary. They turned out really cute! Our ward had a lovely Christmas party the week before the Big Day with a child-reinacted nativity and musical numbers. Mark & our friend Tim performed two traditional songs. Mark also sang with the ward choir on the Sunday before Christmas.

So many dear friends brought over a plate of treats or a thoughtful card, etc. Thank you! I managed to get a Christmas card out, but most of them probably arrived late. Every year it is such a delight to receive cards from distant friends and read the update on their lives. Some letters are done so creatively! Maybe some year I'll manage to include a letter with mine, but no promises. (I do already have a blog after all!)
Christmas Eve we skipped the option of caroling, as fun as that can be, to use my birthday certificate at Tucano's Brazilian Grill (the boys' first time) and check out the lights in downtown Caldwell.

While I had Isaac take this photo for me, David ran off behind and unbeknownst to Mark (who was looking for a garbage can) and I had a panic attack searching the crowd for him... Of course when I got back to the car everyone was in their seats buckled just waiting for me (Mark had seen David and somehow didn't cross paths with me). Maybe it was that adrenalin that kept me going til midnight wrapping presents!

Christmas morning with kids is such a joy! Though every year I struggle more with all things Christmasy-but-not-Christ-centered, including gifts, I have not pondered a better way for our family to celebrate (yet). We were so blessed this year, in so many ways. I know my sweet boys are very grateful for all that they have and all they received.

In the afternoon we headed to Mark's parents' home for dinner with them and two of his sisters and their families. Lots MORE fun, and more hymns too. Phew! This momma was ready for a few days of hibernating but family fun and obligations won out, as we went up to McCall with the extended-family gang for the rest of the week!