Butternut Squash Soup with Red Lentils
1 day ago
Friday, June 20, 2008
Rollin and Ceci
The Davis girls came over for an all-day marathon playdate today. Oh the anticipation of waiting for their van to turn into the driveway! Darcie and Geoff are busy getting their home ready to put on the market next week. All the kids have a buddy with the Davis' and Rollin and Ceci are at the perfect age where they run off and play together. I found them reading books to each other upstairs in the library and they were just too cute so I had to snap a few photos.
Wednesday, June 18, 2008
Loss
Yesterday I attended the funeral of a friend from my old church and bookclub here in Redmond. She had been sick with fibromyalgia and other debilitating conditions since I met her 8 years ago. But what took her life was breast cancer. She was diagnosed in November and passed away in June. Funerals are always sad because we are separated from those we love. But funerals of young parents with children at home are (to me) the worst. The funeral was as sweet as it could be with many loving tributes. Her 12 year old daughter played a piano solo and read a poem. I was amazed at her strength, but during a later primary musical number in which she participated, she started to cry and covered her eyes. I had to look down.
I had so many thoughts that day, and I felt very comforted by the words of our former stake president, Steve Richardson. He said he had remarks planned, but as he saw the family walk in, he felt impressed to bag his prepared words and speak directly to Deb's children. How grateful I was that this man had taken the time to prepare himself to feel the guidance of the spirit. He had spent time in the temple earlier in the day, and clearly was in tune. His words gave me comfort and I was touched deeply by the spirit. My testimony of the plan of happiness and of Jesus Christ's atonement were strengthened. My resolve to strengthen my own personal testimony of the the plan was also increased. I felt peace as I left. I felt fortunate to be alive and to have one more day with my children. It's strange to leave a funeral like this and see life carrying on as usual.
I talked to the kids as we ate dinner about the impressions I had earlier in the day while attending the funeral. I told them how Mommy really believes that families are forever. We talked about how important it is to treat each other kindly each day and regard each new day as the glorious gift that it is. I told them that Deb was happy and free from pain and that this life is just a glimmer in our existence. Pain and loss is unfortunately part of the plan and something we will all experience in this life to some degree. I reassured them that most people live long and healthy lives. They had many questions and I tried to answer as best I could.
I was grateful we had this little discussion because later as Zig and I were outside talking to Eric, Sela walked up with a dead little chickie in her hands. It was her little Lucky. Lucky was the chick who came to us injured and Sela has been trying to nurse her back to health for the past two days. She kept saying "lucky is a survivor, lucky's gonna make it." I contemplated just taking Lucky out of the pen while Sela was as at school because Lucky wasn't eating or drinking. There was another chick who looked just like her. I didn't think Sela would notice. She would think Lucky had recovered and all would be well. But, I also had a tiny glimmer of hope for Lucky. Upon discovering Lucky dead, Sela was not sobbing as I thought she would be, but she said she was felt "happy-sad." She was happy that Lucky wouldn't be in pain anymore and she would be in a better place.
Nina also said she felt sad today because Jessie, Mrs. Judy's daughter had experienced something sad when her boyfriend John "hurt her in the chest." I took that to mean he hurt her heart. Nina spent an extra hour with Mrs. Judy and Jessie yesterday while I was at the funeral and the night before she and her fiance had broken up, after five+ years together. Nina said Jessie was really sad and she picked a flower for her. Sometimes things happen for a reason although that doesn't lessen the pain. I can certainly attest to that.
Last night Nina really wanted to sleep with me. She asked if I could switch out Rollin for her and I said sure. Rollin kicked his crib slat so hard he cracked his bed. He's quite strong and loves to jump and kick his crib. We are looking for him a big boy bed right now so he has been enjoying sleeping with us for the past month or so. He also sleeps two hours longer when he sleeps with us. It's either 6am in the crib or 8:30 or 9 in the bed. So it's not so bad. Anyway, he slept with Sela and did just fine last night. Nina snuggled up to me so tight most of the night. She is a such cuddler.
I had so many thoughts that day, and I felt very comforted by the words of our former stake president, Steve Richardson. He said he had remarks planned, but as he saw the family walk in, he felt impressed to bag his prepared words and speak directly to Deb's children. How grateful I was that this man had taken the time to prepare himself to feel the guidance of the spirit. He had spent time in the temple earlier in the day, and clearly was in tune. His words gave me comfort and I was touched deeply by the spirit. My testimony of the plan of happiness and of Jesus Christ's atonement were strengthened. My resolve to strengthen my own personal testimony of the the plan was also increased. I felt peace as I left. I felt fortunate to be alive and to have one more day with my children. It's strange to leave a funeral like this and see life carrying on as usual.
I talked to the kids as we ate dinner about the impressions I had earlier in the day while attending the funeral. I told them how Mommy really believes that families are forever. We talked about how important it is to treat each other kindly each day and regard each new day as the glorious gift that it is. I told them that Deb was happy and free from pain and that this life is just a glimmer in our existence. Pain and loss is unfortunately part of the plan and something we will all experience in this life to some degree. I reassured them that most people live long and healthy lives. They had many questions and I tried to answer as best I could.
I was grateful we had this little discussion because later as Zig and I were outside talking to Eric, Sela walked up with a dead little chickie in her hands. It was her little Lucky. Lucky was the chick who came to us injured and Sela has been trying to nurse her back to health for the past two days. She kept saying "lucky is a survivor, lucky's gonna make it." I contemplated just taking Lucky out of the pen while Sela was as at school because Lucky wasn't eating or drinking. There was another chick who looked just like her. I didn't think Sela would notice. She would think Lucky had recovered and all would be well. But, I also had a tiny glimmer of hope for Lucky. Upon discovering Lucky dead, Sela was not sobbing as I thought she would be, but she said she was felt "happy-sad." She was happy that Lucky wouldn't be in pain anymore and she would be in a better place.
Nina also said she felt sad today because Jessie, Mrs. Judy's daughter had experienced something sad when her boyfriend John "hurt her in the chest." I took that to mean he hurt her heart. Nina spent an extra hour with Mrs. Judy and Jessie yesterday while I was at the funeral and the night before she and her fiance had broken up, after five+ years together. Nina said Jessie was really sad and she picked a flower for her. Sometimes things happen for a reason although that doesn't lessen the pain. I can certainly attest to that.
Last night Nina really wanted to sleep with me. She asked if I could switch out Rollin for her and I said sure. Rollin kicked his crib slat so hard he cracked his bed. He's quite strong and loves to jump and kick his crib. We are looking for him a big boy bed right now so he has been enjoying sleeping with us for the past month or so. He also sleeps two hours longer when he sleeps with us. It's either 6am in the crib or 8:30 or 9 in the bed. So it's not so bad. Anyway, he slept with Sela and did just fine last night. Nina snuggled up to me so tight most of the night. She is a such cuddler.
Monday, June 16, 2008
chicks!
At 6:30am this morning, zig received a call from the post office informing him that the chicks had arrived. The girls are usually a little sluggish in the morning after a weekend of staying up way too late, but they sprung out of bed upon hearing the news and away they went to the post office in their jammies. 
Sunday, June 15, 2008
Father's Day
Father's Day was nice and sunny. A lovely day. The girls showered Zig with their wonderful homemade gifts. We had a very busy weekend and I never made it to the store for the ingredients for our special father's day meal. We ended up having pasta which is Zig's least favorite food, but he was a great sport and very appreciative. I told him he will get a proper father's day feast next sunday!
Friday was a big day...the chicks are coming early this week so Eric had tons of work to do. He made lots of progress on the doghouse and got all of the wood up on the exterior. His wife, Sarah, even came to help and she and Zig planed wood and dipped all of the pieces into some chemical mixture that protects the wood. I made dinner for everyone and tried to keep the kids out of the way of the saws and other scary equipment.
Saturday was more of the same....lots of work on the electrical for the chicken house. Zig worked alongside Eric and Ben all day. I finally got my bike trailer out and took all the kids on a bike ride. Rollin and Nina combined are quite heavy and provided a good workout. On our ride, we found some cool chairs at a garage sale we passed for $3 each (to go in the little art room in the barn). Nina really wanted this old fashioned school desk so that came home with us as well. It will probably stay in the barn or treehouse as there is no room for it inside. I remember we had one for a little while in Fredericksburg and it was so fun to have when we played school.
Saturday night Zig and I went to a welcome dinner for a new exec at microsoft and his wife. We really enjoyed it even though it was hard to pull ourselves away from all we had going on at home. We tried a new babysitter named Carrie and she worked out really well. She wears lots of accessories and had a gold belt on and hoop earrings...Nina was in heaven.
Father's day was really great...I could have done more but I ran out of steam and I figure everyday is father's day isn't it? I got released from my calling as primary chorister....that was fast...and put into the primary presidency. A much easier calling, so I can't complain. I enjoyed the music and of course the children, but I have to be honest, it is not my thing and though I was just starting to get the hang of it, I will surely enjoy my sunday mornings a lot more now :)
We've got one more very jam packed week ahead and then nothing....I can't wait. My last art docent is tomorrow and we're teaching self-portrait. Should be interesting.
There were a couple sad moments for me this week....though we knew it was coming, we found out the our very good friends, the Davis', are likely moving this summer. The girls (and I) shed lots of tears. I also found out a friend from my old bookclub passed away on Friday of breast cancer. Three young children. It's all very, very sad.
To end this post on a positive note, one fun thing for the girls is today they met the triplet 9 year old girls who just moved in behind us. They are an absolute riot and so much fun. They finish each others' sentences and they can climb trees and fences faster than most boys. Rollin has competition now. They were loud and crazy and full of jokes and laughter...absolutely adorable. It's going to be a fun summer! We have found ourselves surrounded by girls yet again. Thank goodness we have little Michael across the way for Rollin. He'll be way outnumbered but at least he'll have a little buddy.
Is there anything sweeter?
3 crazy girls on the swing!
Friday was a big day...the chicks are coming early this week so Eric had tons of work to do. He made lots of progress on the doghouse and got all of the wood up on the exterior. His wife, Sarah, even came to help and she and Zig planed wood and dipped all of the pieces into some chemical mixture that protects the wood. I made dinner for everyone and tried to keep the kids out of the way of the saws and other scary equipment.
Saturday was more of the same....lots of work on the electrical for the chicken house. Zig worked alongside Eric and Ben all day. I finally got my bike trailer out and took all the kids on a bike ride. Rollin and Nina combined are quite heavy and provided a good workout. On our ride, we found some cool chairs at a garage sale we passed for $3 each (to go in the little art room in the barn). Nina really wanted this old fashioned school desk so that came home with us as well. It will probably stay in the barn or treehouse as there is no room for it inside. I remember we had one for a little while in Fredericksburg and it was so fun to have when we played school.
Saturday night Zig and I went to a welcome dinner for a new exec at microsoft and his wife. We really enjoyed it even though it was hard to pull ourselves away from all we had going on at home. We tried a new babysitter named Carrie and she worked out really well. She wears lots of accessories and had a gold belt on and hoop earrings...Nina was in heaven.
Father's day was really great...I could have done more but I ran out of steam and I figure everyday is father's day isn't it? I got released from my calling as primary chorister....that was fast...and put into the primary presidency. A much easier calling, so I can't complain. I enjoyed the music and of course the children, but I have to be honest, it is not my thing and though I was just starting to get the hang of it, I will surely enjoy my sunday mornings a lot more now :)
We've got one more very jam packed week ahead and then nothing....I can't wait. My last art docent is tomorrow and we're teaching self-portrait. Should be interesting.
There were a couple sad moments for me this week....though we knew it was coming, we found out the our very good friends, the Davis', are likely moving this summer. The girls (and I) shed lots of tears. I also found out a friend from my old bookclub passed away on Friday of breast cancer. Three young children. It's all very, very sad.
To end this post on a positive note, one fun thing for the girls is today they met the triplet 9 year old girls who just moved in behind us. They are an absolute riot and so much fun. They finish each others' sentences and they can climb trees and fences faster than most boys. Rollin has competition now. They were loud and crazy and full of jokes and laughter...absolutely adorable. It's going to be a fun summer! We have found ourselves surrounded by girls yet again. Thank goodness we have little Michael across the way for Rollin. He'll be way outnumbered but at least he'll have a little buddy.
Is there anything sweeter?
3 crazy girls on the swing!Friday, June 13, 2008
Fingerprint fun
I hate to admit how much fun I had making these tiny fingerprint cards with Nina and Rollin! I checked out this great little book from the library thinking it was just Nina's speed. Being the gifted artist that I am, it turns out it was just my speed as well. Rollin played wtih the stamp pad stamping dinosaurs and then his entire body. He is starting to want to do some of the things he sees the girls doing and loves to be at the table with them when they do their art projects. He is so proud of every little thing he does and beams when we recognize his work.
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