Little Luxuries

Somehow my days are filled to the brim with things I 'have' to get done-- which leaves little, if any, time for myself.
But I was thinking tonight about some of the little luxuries that brighten my day.

Here's a few that I just love:

Lotion- My own delicious smelling lotion. A big 'aaaaah' always escapes the moment I sit down and rub it into my hands.

My hubby's hugs- Jeff comes home and immediately gives me a hug. But his hugs are not just any hugs...they come complete with a mini backrub. I sink into him and feel the pressures of the day slowly fade. I love those hugs.

Snuggles and slobbery kisses - my boys know exactly when I need an extra bit of love. Tave gives the sweetest slobbery kisses and West loves to run into my arms and give me a great big squeeze.

Reading a book - this has been extremely rare lately, but whenever I get a second to read a few pages (which usually turns into chapters) I am in heaven. I love the escape that a good book provides.

Singing time - my little guys love to sing with me. They laugh and dance to the music and we have the best time!

Phone calls - no matter the time, it is always so wonderful to get a 'hi, how are you' phone call. Often they are short, due to little kiddies, but they always make my day!!

Bedtime - This isn't really a little luxury, it's a big one. I LOVE crawling into bed at night. The pillow just swallows me up and I drift off to dream land with the love of my life beside me.

Life just can't get any better.

Happiness is...

Holding hands with my hubby.
Having a long, uninterrupted conversation over a delicious meal (that I did not cook!)
Meeting up with family and friends for a fun birthday celebration.
Snuggling next to my sweet hubby at the movies. I love those double seats!
Sharing a piece of absolutely scrumptious chocolate cake.
Holding hands again as we drive home.

Knowing I get to be with this guy forever.

Today's to-do list

Wake up. Play with the boys.
Eat. Play with the boys.
Clean the house. Play with the boys.
Wake up Mckenon. Watch Mckenon play with the boys.
All of us go for a jog. Then play with the boys at the park.
Eat lunch. Play some more.
The boys go down for a nap. Whew...now the real work begins.
Get everything done that I haven't done yet. Talk to Mckenon.
Boys wake up. Play play play.
Dad comes home. Play play play.
Run some errands.
Dinner with Shar, Trav, Kapria, & Mckenon.
Play with the kiddos. Laugh with the kiddos.
Bath the kiddos.
Kiddos go to bed.

Hanging out with Mckenon was so much fun. He is laid back, easy to talk to, easy to be around, and he loves to play with Weston. Weston absolutely adores him. They run and play and laugh and have so much fun. I am grateful Mckenon wanted to come see us before he takes off on his mission. It's so fun to see my little brother (who is the baby and 9 years younger than me) being such an awesome uncle to my kiddos.
We love you, bud.

Happy dance

I was on the dance team in high school.
I wasn't great...not even close. But I had so much fun and I loved it.

Now my dancing consists of:
cranking up some fun upbeat music
holding 1 or both kiddos and then
doing the happy dance around the house together.

You should try it sometime.
But be forwarned-

The happy dance has some side effects:

Instant happiness will always occur, extreme amounts of laughter are very likely, and an overall air of giddiness and joy will permeate your home. Little kiddos will most likely be requesting the happy dance frequently, if not daily. In case of overdose - flop into the lovesack and take a break until daddy gets home. But most often an overdose is not possible.

Enjoy!

"Smile, be happy, & enjoy life"

-Mom (D)

My in-laws came to stay at our home this past week. They were here for James' graduation and we were lucky enough to get them at our house.

I was not nervous. I was not expecting the 'white glove'. I was not dreading the entire weekend like the in-law horror stories tell you.

I was thrilled to get some quality time with my other Mom and Dad. I was excited to see Weston and Tave play with Grandma & Grandpa. And I was comforted by their love, attention, and words of advice. An overwhelming feeling of love is what I am always left with at the end of their visits. I really have the best in-laws.

Jeff and I were talking today about the visit and how wonderful it was. We both brought up the walk/jogs we were able to go on during the 5 days Mom & Dad were here.

On Saturday morning we loaded up the jogging stroller, the kiddos, and all 4 adults and headed to the jogging trail in our city. The morning was crisp and refreshing and threatening rain. We were determined to 'beat the rain.' Weston thought that sounded really funny. Jeff pushed the boys and we all set off at a brisk pace. Soon we were paired off - Dad & Jeff and Mom & I.

We talked and jogged and walked and talked. We listened and learned laughed and enjoyed.

At the end of our workout the heavens let loose and poured. As Mom, Dad, & I ran for cover while we waited for Jeff (he had stopped at the playground with the kiddos while we continued sweating) I thought how fitting it was. This workout had cleansed me- inside and out. I felt a deep gratitude to a Heavenly Father who gives us people who listen and understand, who talk us through the difficult times and who accept us and love us.

It was my favorite part of the trip.

Still thinking...

I'm supposed to be showering and cleaning and getting the house ready for my in-laws to come spend the night.
But I didn't do those things. (okay well really the house is clean and ready, but I am not showerd, yuk!)
Instead I looked at blogs, left some comments, and found a new blog to read.
(as if I needed another blog to read)
But I think I did. Need to read it that is.
I was uplifted, inspired, comforted, and I laughed out loud.
Who couldn't use that at the end of the day.

And now. I really don't have a lot to say. I have a million thoughts running through my head and not a single thing will move from my head to my fingertips.
Sometimes it feels good to just think and think and think.

So good night. I'm so excited to see my in-laws!

Growing old

Tonight I had the opportunity to visit with a couple in our ward.
As I sat on their cozy couch, listening to their story, I was deeply impressed.

They had each lost a spouse and had children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren of their own.
They met while they were both married and deeply in love with their respective spouses.
Her husband passed away. And later, his wife passed away.

About a year later he came knocking on her door to see if he could mow her lawn. And not long after that they were married. (We were given more wonderful details, but I'm not writing their book...yet)

They have been married for 4 years. She is spunky and funny and sweet. He is quiet, and dignified, and kind. They look at each other with the kind of eyes that I dream Jeff and I will have after years and years of marriage.
They have a special bond. One I can only imagine is strengthened by their shared losses and renewed faith and hope in life and love.

He is dying of cancer.

I have heard him bear his testimony before. During a sacrament meeting filled with two little boys who kept me so busy I seldom heard the speakers-- but his testimony stood out. It was simple. It was positive. It was powerful. It brought me to tears.

And then tonight I was able to sit with him and his wife and feel of their love for each other and for their Savior. They laughed, they smiled, they shared their lives with us.

They showed me what it means to grow old.

And I hope that with each year I have on this earth I will grow. Grow in service, in kindness, in faith, in hope, and in love.

I am in awe. Truly.

Road Trip

We got back last night from our road trip to Arizona.

As we were driving along the highway, watching mile marker after mile marker fly by, I couldn't help but remember the road trips I had been on with my family.

Laws about seatbelts weren't as strict, which meant that we all vied for the covetous floor spot. It was right next to the sliding door in our van- decked out with cozy blankets and books.
It's amazing that we are all still alive!
I remember the tubs of licorice and cartons of goldfish that filled those trips. I swear that is the only thing we ate for the entire vacation.
Silly songs and the ABC license game filled our time. No gameboys, dvd players, or ipods.
They are sweet memories.
(Now that I am a mom I realize that my parents version of those trips are probably not the same!)

This trip was quite different from the memories of my past.
A two year old and 11 month old aren't quite as thrilled to be strapped into carseats and stuck in a car for 12 hours.
But you know what - they really did great. Surprisingly great.
I hope that they will look back on these roadtrips - complete with mom and dad singing crazy songs, reading stories, sitting in the backseat beside them, and yes: succombing to the power of the dvd player - and remember the family togetherness and sweetness of it all.

I learned that Weston loves company. He also loves sitting in the backseat.
He has a fantastic imagination, at one point entertaining himself for 30 minutes with just his blanket. So funny!!! A quick break to let West run around outside and he is set for another few hours.
He is a fabulous road-tripper.
I learned that Tave is a trooper. Amidst throwing up, diaper blowouts, and hours and hours of carseat, he can still pull out a smile.
I learned that my husband really is the most wonderfully patient man. And helpful, and a great diaper changer, and a fabulous back-seat entertainer. I love him more than ever.

It was definitely crazy, but also oh-so-wonderful.