our life through lyza's monitor

This picture is from when Lyza was 4...but it was too perfect to pass up for this post.

This one here...she came to us with an extra "funny bone" in her. Or an extra "dramatic bone" in her....we can't tell for sure. The imagination she has and the things that come out of her mouth are pure genius. When I share stories about Lyza and tell other people the things she says, I am certain they think I am embellishing details or actually making these things up. I assure all of you I am not. This is our Lyza...pure and simple.

Steven and I recently started playing this little game we like to call "our life through Lyza's monitor". Well first a little background about the situation. Lyza still has a monitor in her room. (Yes, all of you who just rolled your eyes...I know she is 5 years old. However, her mother has a little problem with OCD and has a fear that she won't be able to hear her big 5 year old girl if she wakes up in the middle of the night.) Now back to my story.

Steven and I recently started playing this little game we like to call "our life through Lyza's monitor". How you play this game is simple. Whenever Lyza is in her room, either going to bed or when she has just woken up in the morning, you listen for the funniest thing you hear her say. I know this probably doesn't sound like a very funny or entertaining game to play, but let me just share a few of the winners with you and you will see how delightful this game is:

(please keep in mind that our little 5 year old knows she can't get out of bed or her room in the morning until mom or dad come and get her. So she thinks it is funny to communicate to us through her monitor.)

1. "Hello people, I have to go to the bathroom in here!"

2. Today is Sunday and that means it is the Sabbath and this is not how Jesus would want me to spend the Sabbath."

3. "Mom...I'll choose the right." (this after she was sent to her room for doing something wrong.)

4. "I have so many bruises on my legs. Look at these legs, I am so beaten up. (then she fully makes herself start crying) I just didn't want to be this person."

5. "Mom...Dad are you home? I fell asleep at Grandma's house last night and I don't know how I got here? (pause) Are you here? (pause) If not I'll have to call grandma and have her come get me? Are you here? If you're not here I'll just have to go back to sleep."

Oh this game makes us laugh SO hard! Our lives would be so boring without this little one around to keep us on our toes.

i wonder?

I am a thinker...My mind never stops. I am always thinking about something. Some say I over think? Others say I am a bit OCD at times? Whatever the case may be, the mind God gave me never seems to turn off.

Oh the things I wonder about....

I wonder if I will ever have a brown headed child?

I wonder if Mitt Romney will ever be president...I sure hope so.

I wonder if I will ever remember to check the pockets of my kids pants before I put them through the washer? Or if I actually just like picking up little itty bitty pieces of wet Kleenex from my washer bin and the entire load of laundry?

I wonder if my husband will ever know how much I need him. He always tells me I am such an independent person that I don't need anyone...but oh how I NEED him.

I wonder what choices my children will be faced with?

I wonder if I could eat FRESH shrimp everyday and not get sick of it? I think I could. Market Street's Shrimp Cocktail is the best in this "land locked" state of Utah.

I wonder if you will ever be rewarded because you are current on your mortgage and you don't need a government bail out?

I wonder if Lyza will really love dance and the arts, or if she will feel obligated to "do it" because I love it so much?

I wonder if I will ever stop making lists? I love making lists so much. Sometimes I make lists of the lists I need to make. The feeling of checking something off, making it complete, gives me such a rush. In fact as soon as I complete this blog entry that will be one more thing I can check off my list!

I wonder if my husband still sees the 23 year old version of me he fell in love with...9 years and 2 kids later?....I don't see her anymore.

I wonder why boys always get the best eyelashes...they don't even care about them as much as girls do?

I wonder if my mom knows how much I need her approval?

I wonder if it is embarrassing that I like the reality show "The Bachelor" so much? And on that note...I wonder if I will ever get to fulfill my dream and dance with Derek Hough on Dancing with the Star?

I wonder if Seth's future wife will realize how LUCKY she is?

I wonder if my kids will remember me as a positive person or as a person who was worried all of the time?

Oh how I wonder....

who knew a hip could get infected?

Lyza and her dad. Getting checked into the ER at Primary Children's

Who knew a hip could get infected? I sure didn't! However, after our adventure last weekend I will now never forget that YES a hip can and did get infected.

On Saturday morning Lyza woke up and told me that her leg was hurting her. I chalked it up to either growing pains or the fact that she usually likes the extra attention she gets when she is hurt. (mother of the year right here!) She was babying her right leg and limping a bit but I thought it would go away after awhile. I even made her go to her primary activity that morning which by the way was the "Reinactment of the Pioneer Trek" were they actually walked 2 miles. (Did I mention mother of the year?)

By Sunday morning when she woke up Lyza could barely put any pressure on her right leg. My fantastic neighbor (who is a pediatrician) graciously stopped over to take a look at her leg. She laid Lyza on the ground and showed me that when she forced Lyza's legs straight her feet didn't line up. Her right leg was about 1 inch longer then her left leg. (It was crazy to see that and a bit sad.) She recommended that we go to Primary Children's right away.

I guess with infections in the hip you pretty much don't mess around with them. Our personal pediatrican (who makes the best house calls by the way) said that the infection in the hip socket can become septic to the blood stream very quickly.

So instantly we were off. Steven scooped up our little Ly Ly, we met my mom to give our Sethy to her, and made our way to Primary Children's.

Lyza with her Child Life Specialist at the ER.

Primary children's hospital is AMAZING! They have these specialist who come in and are there with you the entire time you are there. They work directly with your child to make sure they are ok. Lyza got a doll (she named Molly) that she got to color a face, hair, fingers and toes on. The Child Life Specialist's even put an IV in Molly's arm to show Lyza exactly how the IV would go in her arm. They were amazing!

Even after seeing "Molly the doll" get her IV, Lyza was still NOT thrilled when it was her turn. The worst moment of being a mom is having to physically hold your child down while she is screaming your name, so the doctors can put an IV in her. After I held it together while they were putting the IV in, I had to excuse myself so I could "lose it" in the hallway without Lyza seeing. It completely broke my heart. Lyza hated that IV in her arm...it bugged her the entire 10 hours we were there.

Lyza after she had woken up from surgery. Eating a popsicle.

After blood work and ultrasounds, it was deteremined that the Orthapedic Surgeon was going to need to be called in for a little thing we call surgery. They put Lyz to sleep and then took the infection that was in her hip socket out laparoscopically. She was completely hilarious when she was coming out of her anesthsia. Which was good because her mom was having a hard time seeing her little girl go through this whole situation.

Lyza made us proud and had the entire nurses floor in love with her by the time we left. She was so brave and the nurses even let her take her own IV out of her arm. Something her mom didn't think she would do....but she did!

After about 10 hours at the hospital the doctors released us and sent us on our way. We were tired, but happy that Lyza was already on the mend.

I am so grateful for healthy children and also for fantastic doctors and nurses who can help us when they are not so healthy.

THREE CHEERS FOR LYZA AND FOR PRIMARY CHILDREN'S HOSPITAL!

messages for seth

Seth 2 years old

Dear Seth,

To my handsome “little buddy” on your big day I want to tell you HAPPY BIRTHDAY, and let you know how much we love you. Sethy, there is not a day that goes by that you don’t light up our lives and the lives of those you come in contact with. I am sitting here smiling from ear to ear just thinking about you. How did these last two years fly by so fast? It is hard to even imagine you as my baby anymore because of how big you have gotten over this last year. And I am not just speaking about your physical stature, even though you are in the 99th percentile on your height chart. (I pray that stays with you as you continue to grow…I want a tall son.) This past year you have grown into this little person that is intelligent, funny, and delightful!

Seth, I marvel at the things you have accomplished these last twelve months. Your personality has flourished and your independence has become quite evident. The phrase that is used by you the most every day is, “Sethy do it.” You are a determined and ambitious little man. Both of these qualities you have inherited from your dad and boy am I thankful for that. I see a little bit of myself in you too little one. Even at this young age I sense your need for order in all things. (I am not sure if it is a good thing or a bad thing that you inherited this from me?) You get irritated when things aren’t just right. Often you come to me with something in frustration and in your wonderful little voice you say, “It’s not purfeck (perfect).” I can’t help but chuckle at you and your mini little OCD problem at the ripe old age of two.

I want you to know how smart you are. Heavenly Father has blessed your with a keen mind. You are so much like your sister in this way. It scares me the things you can already do. You have mastered your ABC’s (recognizing them and the sounds they make), counting to 30, and you can recite the Pledge of Allegiance. It is funny how I start little memorization projects with both you and Lyza thinking it will be too hard for you to get. And it always baffles me how one day things just click and you pick it up. I secretly have to tell you, as a mom, I LOVE IT!

This past year you have become even more of a shadow to your big sister. All you want to do is hang out with her all day. You can’t stand it if you wake up in the morning and Lyza isn’t awake yet. You ask me over and over, “I get Lyza?” And you are quite devastated when I tell you we have to wait until she wakes up. But never fear, the first sound that comes from her room in the morning you say to me, “I want to get her.” You race to her door and open in and then in the happiest and loudest voice you yell, “Good Morning!!” Daddy and I can’t help but laugh when we hear it. Lyza will dress you up, put lipstick on you, and make you play with her dolls and Poly Pockets all day long. Nevertheless, it doesn’t matter to you as long as she is near. It is so hard for you when Lyza is at school or playing at someone else’s house. I have to admit you seem a bit lost without her. I love that you love her so much.

Seth, I never want to forget how you sound at this age. I love the sound of your little words and your laughter that fills our home. It saddens me that there will be a time in my life that I won’t be able to remember what your voice sounded like when you were two. I never want to forget that when you recite the Pledge of Allegiance instead of saying “Under God” you say “Under Dog.” How you sing at the top of your lungs in the car (pretty much just shouting). And how you walk up to me and say “kisses” and stick you perfect little lips out as far as they can go until I give you that smooch! Oh the joy you bring little man…Oh the joy!

I always want to remember how you wear your bike helmet everywhere you go because you think it is so neat. This is actually something that is fine with me because at least I know your head is always protectedJ. I always want to remember how you run up to Dad and say, “Made a Hoop” when you are playing with your basketball stand that you love. I always want to remember that at the age of two you are a complete mommy’s boy. This is a change for our family because your sister only has eyes for her Daddy, so it is nice that I get one in my arms as well. I always want to remember to thank Heavenly Father every night for giving me two men to love in my life.

So as your 2nd Birthday has arrived, I hope you know how much we love you and how thankful we are to call you ours. Who would have known that this lady who came from a family of all girls, who was scared to raise a son, could have loved this boy so much? All I know is that she is one lucky lady!

Happy 2nd Birthday Little Man!

Love you more, more!

Mom

letters to lyza

Lyza 5 years old.

I chose this picture to represent Lyza this year because this picture says it all.

Lyza loves and cares for this little man every day.

When I look at this picture I see Lyza teaching Seth, and the pure joy she has for her little "Scrubbie."

Dear Lyza,

I couldn’t believe it this morning as I laid in my bed and thought of you on your special day. The day that you had been waiting for and counting down to had finally arrived! You were still asleep, but I knew the moment you woke up and realized it was your “big day” that I would hear you calling to us instantly.

While I waited for you to wake up, I caught myself thinking back to the morning you were born. That beautiful April morning that was now 5 year ago. (How did that happen?) It was a long and painful morning if I am being completely honest. You had proven already (even in the womb) that no one was going to force you to do anything you didn’t want to do. Everything was going to be in your time frame. Even during that beautiful morning of labor it was clear that “you” were in control of the situation.

It was ironic to me as I laid there thinking about you, thinking about this past year of your life, about how these leadership characteristics have come pouring out of you this past year. I will never forget how you are the one who constantly reminds me of things I need to do. What other mother makes sure they tell their 5 year old daughter things she wants to make sure to remember. Well you are looking at one of those mothers. Your responsibility level, even at 4 at 5 years old, is so remarkable Lyza. In fact you came to me just the other day and said, “Mom, I noticed that your jar that you keep your cotton balls in was empty. So I went to the hall closet and refilled it for you.” What?? Are you serious? Those are the kinds of things you do all of the time. You are very concerned for other and their well being. I love that Lyza. Never lose that quality.

This past year Lyza you have fallen in love with “Musicals” and “Plays” even more. (If that was possible.) Your dad and I took you to every High School and City play or musical we could get our hands on. You sat through (without moving a muscles might I add) Aida, Noises Off, and Thoroughly Modern Millie just to name a few. However, I think the best day of your life came when your Aunt Shar suggested you watch a little DVD called, “Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat.” Your life, and the entire families’ life, has never been the same. You ate that show up and have watched it at least 2 or 3 times a week since. The soundtrack is constantly on in our car and even little Seth knows all the words because we have listened to it for so long. Your love for “Joseph and the “Tecmiculor” Dreamcoat”, as you call it, has also spurred on a love and infatuation with Donny Osmond. I believe I can say with confidence, that you are the only 5 year old that wants to be a member of his fan club. The clincher was the other day when you were out drawing at the kitchen counter. After you were done you said, “Mom, do you like my picture? It is a picture of Donny Osmond.” I knew then that you were smitten. An even funnier story happened a couple of months ago when we happened upon a song from “Mulan” while listening to music in the car. The song was “I’ll make a man out of you.” As we were listening to it you said from the backseat of the car, “Mom, this sounds like Donny Osmond singing.” As I looked down at the iPod to see who the artist was I instantly started laughing. You were completely right! There on the iPod screen were the words “Donny Osmond” under the title of the song. We all laughed together at how you could even pick out his voice. You are amazing Lyz.

To say that you are dramatic and that you say the funniest things is an understatement. This year I actually started carrying around a little note book with me so I could write down all of the hilarious things you say. When I tell people about the things that come out of your mouth, half the time I don’t think they believe me. They probably think I am embellishing the story or making it up. But those people that actually know you know that it is nothing but the real Lyza.

For example, the other day you were in the doctors for your Kindergarten check up. You are deathly afraid of shots and kept reminding me and every nurse that entered the room that you had gotten your Kindergarten shots last year, so none were needed this year. The nurses agreed but said that they would need to prick your finger and get a blood sample. Lyza, you should have seen your face when the nurse told you. You went very white and quiet for a second. You asked the nurse if it would hurt and she replied “Just a little bit.” To which you looked her square in the eyes and said, “Ok, but first I’m going to need a minute.” The nurse started to laugh and looked over at me for an answer and all I could tell her was, “I guess she is going to need a minute.” We were all trying hard not to laugh while you “took your minute” and we could move on with the procedure. As we were waiting you whispered a little pep talk to yourself, “Come on Lyza be brave, don’t cry.” Then you sat up and told the nurse you were ready. You were so brave during the prick you didn’t even cry. After it was over you were beaming with pride! And if you would have looked over at me you would have seen that I was beaming with pride too.

The best way to sum up this last year of your life would be to say that I was proud. Proud to be your mother, proud of the decisions you made, and proud of your accomplishments. This year you became an excellent reader and also memorized 12 of the 13 Articles of Faith. You can actually remember them better then mom or dad. We are currently working on the 13th and final Article of Faith and should be done shortly.

This year you bore your testimony in Sacrament meeting all by yourself. You told both dad and I that you didn’t want us to come up with you. We actually tried to talk you out of doing it (bad parents) but in the end you won out. You marched yourself right up on that stand and waited for your turn. Dad and I were so nervous in the back of the room. We didn’t know what you would say or if you would just get up there, get scared and not be able to say anything. But as always, you had everything under control. When it was your turn you stood up, spoke clearly in the microphone, and gave your sweet testimony. After you were done dad and I had both beads of sweat on our foreheads and tears in our eyes. You had just taken another step on this journey of “growing up” that you are so determined to conquer.

Lyza, your dad and I are so proud of you and can’t believe we were chosen to be your parents. Daddy and I always talk about how we can’t believe we were lucky enough to get you and Seth. We know that Heavenly Father knew how much we needed you so he blessed us with your love.

So as your big day has finally arrived, I look forward with anticipation to the joy you will feel now that you have turned 5. I wish time would slow down and give me just a little more time with my baby, but it doesn’t seem likely that will happen. So for now I am just enjoying the short time I am given and basking in the beauty of your life.

Happy 5th Birthday Ly Ly,

Love you more, more

Mom

dear posterity

Dear Posterity,

As you sit down to read this blog/journal, many many years from now, you might wonder about a couple of things. I would wonder if I were you! For example, who is this person that wrote these words? Why are there so many entries about her children, didn't she have a life? Why aren't there very many posts about trials or tribulations? Didn't she have any? And why in the world are there 3 month gaps between entries? Well Posterity of Mine, I am here today to answer some of those questions for you.

Question: Who is this person that wrote these words?

Answer: Well in a nutshell...I am your great grandmother, distant cousin, great great aunt...I don't know look it up on our family tree. (hee hee) I am at this moment 32 years of age and the year is 2010. That might sound like a long time ago to you, but it was a fantastic time to live. I am happy, I live a good life. I am a person who stresses and worries about everything. I usually can't fall asleep until late in the night because I sit and worry in my bed. I love the arts. Nothing else brings me more joy, except my children. I love to create things, dances, plays, everything. I love to write. There are so many words and thoughts in my head, my only wish is that I had the time to write more. I couldn't live without Music. Good music that moves me emotionally. There is ALWAYS music on in my home. I feel like the invention of the ipod was the best invention ever made. My life is busy...oh so busy. I am trying to simplify but life feels so crazy. I have a testimony of the Gospel. I am not always great at sharing it publicly, but never doubt that it is strong!

Question: "Why are there so many entries in this blog about her children, didn't she have a life?"

Answer: Yes she did have a life...her children. You should know that they are what I think about 99% of the time. And when you are so proud of something you write about it. So I did! I wrote about the pure joy they bought me. They are the moments I want to remember when I am 85 years old.

Question: "Why aren't there very many posts about trials or tribulations? Didn't she have any?

Answer: I want you to know that there were hard times, many of them. I will try to be better at documenting them for "historical" sake. However, it is hard for me to write about the hard times. I don't know if it because I don't want to remember them? Or if I am too prideful and don't want to admit that we weren't perfect...because we/I am far from it. Sometimes it is hard to be real. But please believe me when I say there were plenty of hard time, crippling times actually. But the good always outlasts the bad. I will recommit to documenting all aspects of my life.

Question: "Why in the world are there 3 month gaps between entries?"

Answer: One word...LIFE! The very reason I want to write, is the reason I don't have time to write. LIFE!! There have been taxes due, child milestones, new companies created, hospital trips (and ambulance rides), summer vacations, job changes, new callings, concerts attended, bills paid, toilets scrubbed and fine...some reality TV watched. These are all reasons there are gaps in my entries. Time passes so quickly and usually doing the things I want most gets put on the back burner. Hopefully, it can now take a top spot in my priority list. Because you, my dearest posterity, are a top priority to me.

Fa la la la la...la la la LA

Merry Christmas to all...and to all a good night!!!