That Darn Cat

A stray cat adopted us this week and he is driving me crazy. The kids have named him fed him and let him in the house. We really love animals but they don't love us. We are all allergic. Every single one of us. I just got a picture of these two cuties though. I have tried hard all week to keep him out of the house but the kids just love him. Lets just say that tomorrow I am taking him out for a very long ride and he won't be coming back.
As for Meridee's outfit, I really can't explain it. She went to bed in pajamas but woke up in this. Can you tell what her very immodest top is made from? Yes, that would be her underwear worn upside down and over one shoulder. I tried to explain that it wasn't modest but do you think she cares? Of course not. We got a big kick out of this. She has got to be the funniest kid I know.

Thirty Something

So today is the third birthday we have had in the last week and a half. It is my turn to be older and wiser but please if I see another slice of cake or bowl of ice cream, I think I might just puke. All this junk is not helping the diet and the cold weather is making it harder to get out and run to work off the extra calories. So I probably gained back all the weight I've lost in the last little while, but that is going to change now that there are no more excuses to party. So I put an old picture of myself and the girls on here because I really don't have a decent picture of myself since I am always behind the camera.
The kids asked me a while back how old I was and my mommy brain with about half the brain cells that is used to have seriously couldn't recall my age. I wasn't just trying to lie about my age although sometimes I'd like too. I truly was confused and said I was 30. Where has the time gone. The last two years have been a complete blur to me. When I was young and naive I would fantasize about being a thirty-something soccer mom. Now I am here living my dream and I don't even remember how or when I got here. It simply crept up on me.
Well like the kids I have changed and grown. Getting older wasn't as easy as I thought it would be. I have been on a journey trying to discover who Beth is. I had been just mommy for so long that I felt a need to redefine myself. So here is just a small ever changing list of things that I have started. I'm sure it will constantly change because in so many ways I don't think I'll always be the same.

I don't care how many products you try, your hereditary dark under-eye circles are not going away

I used to be a dancer but now I am a runner. I love it and I am starting to get that runners addition.

I love getting away for girls weekends and I don't have to feel guilty about it.

I used to have fun as a blond but I feel more comfortable as a brunette.

Before I had kids I thought patience was one of my best virtues and now I know that I am only just beginning to learn what real patience is.

I am a quiet observer but to others it sometimes comes off as snobby. Not my intention.

I don't like to be in the spotlight but a private compliment really makes me feel good.

When it comes to being creative I am a copycat. I don't know how to just get a creative idea. I need to see something I like first and then try to duplicate it.

I like to read and I have a long list of books I'd like to read. Now if only I had the time.

I am not the most optimistic person I know but I am working on it.

I do like to make life simple but it usually only lasts for a while and then I feel the urge to shake things up and that usually means taking on more than I am ready for.

I am a minimalist. I don't want a lot of Knick knacks in the house or too many books or pieces of furniture. Just enough to be functional and pretty.

I really don't like routines or schedules even though I now they are good for me and the kids.

I want to travel. Anywhere away from the western part of the county would be a dream. Even better would be Europe. I hope that Danny and I will be able to serve several missions. I would go on a mission now if they would let entire families go.

I like change. I think.

Small and Simple

The prophet has been telling us for years to try a little harder and be a little better. The scriptures also tell us that by small and simple means are great things brought to pass. I am taking this approach for my New Year's resolution in 2008. This seems like a good plan to me because when ever I make big goals it seems that my failures look just as big and the disappointment's even bigger.

So this year I will be a little kinder, a little more patient, I will read a little more scriptures, and pray a little more. I will be a little more patient, spend a little more quality time with the ones I love, listen a little more and say I love you a little more often. I will be a little more organized, watch a little less TV, eat a little less junk food and spend a little less money. I will remember the Savior a little more often and keep his commandments a little better.

My hope is that I will be a little better tomorrow than I am today and that my small efforts will bring great rewards.

Happy Birthday Paige!

Paige is our first born and we waited for her with a lot of anticipation. We tried to get pregnant for over a year with no luck and were starting to see doctors to see if they could help the process but soon after we became pregnant on our own. We realize that a year is not as long a long time compared to what others go through but it sure felt like a long time to us. We were so grateful that Heavenly Father answered our prayers. I loved being pregnant and enjoyed every minute of it. That is up until the delivery. She was overdue and I couldn't wait. Danny's mom came early to be with us and my mom was on her way the day I went into labor. I saw the doctor the morning of her delivery and he felt everything was ok so he sent us home pretty sure it would happen really soon. Well he stripped my membranes that morning and I had contractions all day. They were consistently every 5 minutes but only lasted for 15-30 seconds long so we did not go in. But around 9:00pm I started having some contractions that were only 2 minutes apart and Danny's mom said we should just go ahead and go. I am glad we listened to her. I went to the bathroom while Danny got our bags and while in the bathroom my water broke. It was a goosh the kind you would only hope didn't happen while out in public. After changing my clothes twice my mother in law suggested I just stick a towel between my legs and leave. Well everything became really intense after that. When we arrived the nurses were concerned that I was only dilated to a 2 and there was maconium in the fluid. After a short while they realized that Paige was in trouble. Her heart rate was really slow and nearly stopped many times and so I was rushed in for an emergency Cesarean. It was scary and not the picture perfect delivery that I dreamed of but we were so glad that she arrived safely.
The time since then has gone by really fast and I can't believe that my oldest turns ten today and we are officially entering the world of Pre-Teen Drama. Although with Paige I don't anticipate too much struggling. She really is a Dynamic Girl. She is organized, responsible, kind, and knows all too well how to have silly fun. Overall she has a true desire to do what is right. She reads her scriptures often and prays everyday. She includes kids at school, who others might reject or overlook. By doing so she is blessed with many friends. She is my little Cinderella. She is always willing to help around the house. Don't get me wrong she is not perfect. As none of us are but she usually knows when she has done something wrong and always tries to correct it. I simply couldn't ask for more from an oldest child. She is setting the bar high and setting a great example for our entire family. We all love her so very much.

Happy Birthday Audrie

Audrie turned 6 years old on New Year's Eve. Yes, she was a tax break baby. She wasn't actually due until Jan. 10th but I was really trying hard to convince the doctor that she should come before the first. Not just for the tax break but also because we had already met the insurance deductible for the year and we did not want to pay it again. Plus my mom and dad were in town and they didn't want to miss seeing their new grand baby. My doctor took pity on me and said he would induce the labor on the 31st. I was really nervous to induce because I had a Cesarean with Paige but since I had a successful v-back with Reed I was hopeful that all would be well and it was. She was more healthy than the previous two who gave us a lot of trouble with delivery. My mom and dad both stayed for the delivery. It was pretty special to have my dad there. I was the first of his kids that he was able to be in the delivery room during birth and now Audrie was the first birth of a grandchild for him to witness as well. Of course Audrie and I didn't stay up late that night but we do let her stay up for the countdown now that she is older. I imagine that it will be fun for her to have her birthday on New Years Eve.
The upside down balloons are a tradition that began when Paige was little and we were still starving students. I never felt like we could afford a real balloon bouquet so I would buy a bag at the dollar store and hang them from the ceiling. I still don't ever feel like I can justify the cost of balloon bouquets and the kids wouldn't have it any other way. They always remind me that they want to have upside down balloons for their birthdays.
We take turns each year doing Family Parties and Friend Parties. 2007 was a Family Party year. We usually take the kids out for a fun family outing. Paige always asks for ice skating, and Reed usually wants to go bowling. This year we went up American Fork Canyon and went sledding for Audrie. We took along a thermos of hot chocolate and all her presents and when we were too cold to to be outside any longer we warmed up in the car with our hot chocolate and watched Audrie open her presents. We really had a fun day.

Audrie is truly a delight. She is in Kindergarten and really loves it. She has made a lot of new friends and is working really hard to learn how to read. She has an infectious laugh and bubbly personality. She is growing up so fast and we love her so much.

Merry Christmas

Christmas was really great this year. Santa gave everyone what they asked for and we had a very relaxing fun day. We couldn't ask for anything more. Reed got an mp3 player and a practice drum and Grandma and Grandpa Nordstrom really spoiled him with a Nintendo DS. Paige also got an mp3 player and a beanbag chair. She is really starting to grow up. Audrie loves her littlest pet shop hamster set. She was hoping for the real thing but we let her know a head of time that Santa doesn't bring pets. Meridee and Aida are having so much fun being little mommies to their new baby dolls. Danny usually doesn't ask for much so he got some new clothes and I really wanted a new camera and I got it. I am really excited to finally be able to take some decent pictures. I just figured out how run it and that is why my Christmas post is so late. Overall it was a really nice holiday and it is always a little sad when it is all over. Danny took the whole week off and my dad was here too so we played and relaxed, watched a lot of movies and ate way too much food and most of all simply enjoyed each other. I also did a ton of baking and candy making and it was way to yummy to resist.

I put it all out on the serving platter that I got for Christmas last year. I think it looks just as pretty as it tastes. Well I hope you all had a great holiday as well. We love and miss you all. Hope to see you soon.