I Hate it When..

D: "I hate it when you run out of ice cream. It's so depressing."

Bubby-ism

Bubby (in a really whiney voice): I really did want...wait, what was I whining about?

Nip-Tabulous Comment at the Dinner Table

At last night's SPECTACULAR feast put on by my mother dear and shared with my brother dear in honor of his reaching his 28th year (WHAT??!!?? When did that happen?), the conversation started with a comment from my Bubby:
Bubby: Cousin PM has a nipple.
The rest of us: WHAT??!!??
Bubby: PM has a nipple on her arm.
TROU: WHAT??!!?? Where?
Bubby: Right there on her arm.
PM (2 1/2 years old): I have nip-ple (pointing to her chest).
Bubby: No, you have a nipple on your arm.
D (investigating): I think that's just a mole.
PM's Mother: She doesn't have a mole on her arm. Are you sure it isn't a piece of food?
Bubby: It's a nipple on her arm.
D (upon more finite investigation): It's a piece of food on her arm. See?
PM: I have nip-ple (still pointing to her chest.

Laughter ensues. Ahhhhh, sparkling conversation! It was a lovely dinner!

Happy Birthday, Jenny!

Happy Birthday to our Dear Jenny-O!
Today we wish we could be your neighbor (again) so we could bring you a delicious, home-made birthday treat (maybe some of the yummy homemade triple berry ice cream D made last night)and give you big birthday hugs (you know Bubby gives some of the best hugs you could get), and go to lunch (you and me and the little guys), and have some laughs.
Some of our favorite memories:
*Getting to see you at least 3 days a week when we got to babysit B when he was just a little babe
*Impromptu meeting in the front yard when we're both outside and our boys just gravitate to each other
*Bubby opening his bedroom window to say "Hi Jenny" EVERY TIME you walk by
*Cristal stories
*"I like your earrings"...you:"Oh, do you want them?"
*"Can I borrow your skirt?"...you"Oh, it looks good on you. Why don't you keep it?"
* You are SERIOUSLY THE MOST GENEROUS PERSON I KNOW!
*You picking my mom up from the airport when my world fell apart
*Ladies Lunch at your house with "the good dishes" -just us, while B slept and Bubby was at pre-school
*Haircut visitation at Jil's house
*The Office...nuff said!
*The BEST SURPRISE BABY SHOWER/GOING AWAY PARTY EVER GIVEN!!!!
*Big bottle of hand sanitizer on your banister, right when you come in your house
*I LOVE LOVE LOVE the way you decorate! Colorful and pretty - just like you!
*The way you make me laugh til my cheeks hurt and my belly feels like I got a workout
*You mowing the lawn with a baby on your back in the backpack carrier - YOU ARE A ROCK STAR!
* A thousand more memories my tired brain can't conjure at the moment, but are precious to me just the same....

WE LOVE OUR JENNY! Bubby wanted to just" drive up there and tell her happy birthday". I agreed that would be AWESOME! Then he said,"We have to make sure we call her from the home phone, since you don't have your cell phone anymore, Mom. Remember, cuz you flushed it down the toilet?" I told him we would make sure to call from the home phone. He sure does love you, too!

We hope you have a GREAT birthday!

Conversation at the Boarder of Dreamland

So Bubby lost his second tooth while we were at church this past Sunday. (His first tooth came out exactly 6 weeks prior, on the very same day we blessed our Little Man in Utah - that's a cute story, too. I'll have to tell you sometime). That tooth was pretty loose before we left for church, so D folded up a paper towel and stuck it in Bubby's shirt pocket, in case the tooth should come out while we were at church. I'm married to a very smart man! Thinking ahead like that! Thinking of me, really - you see, I DESPISE stain treating, and yet am subjected to it EVERY time I do laundry! - so that if blood accompanied the tooth, it could be sopped up with the paper towel rather than drip onto the shirt. Like I said, thoughtful, prepared husband!
So, sitting in Sunday School, in walks my little Bubby with a big ole' jack-o-lantern grin holding his now dislodged tooth! He was so excited, he said (3 or 4 times),"I can't believe I lost my tooth at church! I just can't believe it!" pretty cute! Then he said,"Now I get to put it under my pillow so the tooth fairy can leave some money for me!" Enterprising young man! So, I took said tooth, put it in my wallet and said we would put it under his pillow that night.
I. Am. A. Slacker! The tooth has yet to make it under his pillow! SO, here is the conversation that ensued between Bubby and his father last night (Bubby had been in bed for about 5 minutes):
D: Are you still awake?
Bubby: A little.
D: Did you want to put your tooth under your pillow for the tooth fairy tonight?
Bubby (very sleepily): Are you talking about the tooth fairy?
D: Yes. Did you want to put your tooth under your pillow for the tooth fairy?
Bubby: Dad, I just need to go to sleep so I can have a good day at school tomorrow.

And that, my friends, is a conversation on the boarder of Barely Awake and Dreamland!

Remembering

I was reminded through a family member's Facebook status report that today marks the third anniversary of D's brother's passing. He was D's brother by choice - coming into the family at the age of 14 (maybe 15, not sure) after his biological brother joined the family at 16-ish - and choosing to remain a part of D's family into adulthood. D's parents names even shared space with this brother's biological parents on his wedding announcement. A late night motorcycle "joyride" without his helmet, wind blowing through his shoulder-length hair, turned out to be his last ride on his beloved "speed machine". A corner taken at too-high speed. A small tree. That was the end to a mortal body.
I would like to share some of the beautiful memories I have from around this time 3 years ago. Primary among them is that D's mom organized a family picture, taken two weeks before we lost our brother. He was present. Pictures of him from that day were used at the funeral. More importantly, some much needed emotional healing for several people began on the day of the family picture. It was a good day. I myself got to witness this brother's sweet tenderness with his then 5 year old daughter. While figuring out which tasty ice cream flavor to choose, their discussion about Rocky Road brought a lesson from a father: every person has likes and dislikes and that's okay. It doesn't make you right or wrong. It's just one of those things that makes you, you. Lesson learned. Thank you!
At the funeral, my little Bubby, then 3, asked me if I would like to look at Jesus. I asked him if he saw a picture of Jesus he would like to look at. He said, "No, Jesus is in the bed." He then pointed at the casket. To a three year old, a man with long hair looks very much like the pictures of Jesus he has seen, as many artitst renderings of Jesus depict Him with long hair. I found this comparison by my sweet son oddly comforting, as my brother-in-law had a great deal of religious angst in his mortal life, and I was reminded that he is now with his Savior, and can receive andswers to al his religious questions, and finally is spirit can have peace. It made me grateful for the knowledge I have gained as a member of my church, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints.
Although a person's death leaves behind grieving loved ones who grieve because they miss the one who has passed on, I know that death is merely a graduation from this life into life in the eternities. And I think returning home to a loving Heavenly Father and our Brother Jesus Christ would be a joyous reunion indeed.
In the meantime, I am sending my thoughts and prayers of comfort to all MY loved ones who are remembering and missing D's brother today.

She Sleeps With The Fishes

Warning: Bathroom talk ahead. If you are easily offended by words like toilet, flush, or crap, turn back now.. do not proceed...YOU HAVE BEEN WARNED!

So, I had to use the toilet. We drink LOTS of water here in the desert. Something about staying hydrated and not wanting to deal with kidney problems as a result of dehydrating. But, I digress. Anyway, I "voided" (as they would term it in the medical world), wiped, stood up, flushed the toilet, pulled my pants up and felt my cell phone fall out of my pocket. I heard a clunking sound and I whirled around in time to see the water making it's way down the toilet hatch. I did NOT see my phone go down, but I heard what sounded like a clunking in the pipes. I exclaimed, "Oh crap! Oh crap! Oh Crap! (repeat multiple more times)" as I frantically searched all around the base of the toilet, in the tub, in the trash can...nothing. I came out of the bathroom (yes, my pants were up and buttoned, no need to worry about flashing in the story!), and said to the family members who were here at the time,"Someone please call my phone. I think I just accidentally flushed it down the toilet!". So, my mother calls - nothing. No ringing. My sexy little red cell phone sleeps with the fishes. I hope they enjoy the sweet picture of me and my two little boys that graces it's face. I will miss it!
-the end

Ode to My Baby Swing

Oh how I love the baby swing!
Oh how it makes my heart sing!
How do I tell you "thanks" for helping my baby sleep?
How he WOULD NOT NAP unless he was asleep on me?
And now I can eat my meals in peace.
And now I can blog, and snuggle with Bubby, and do other things as I please.
My favorite part is now that he gets more rest, he is more happy!
He smiles, and coos, and has a darling personality!
I love my baby - he's as cute as a button!
And now that you know the magic of our swing - YOU KNOW YOU WANT ONE!

PS - I am SOOOO not a poet! But, thanks for baring with me anyway! That was kinda fun!