eva is 9

She loves dolls.  I love that she isn't in a rush to be all grown up.  

So, we had a doll party.  It has been three years since she has had a friend party.  I actually love thinking up all the stuff to do.  I love getting it ready.  I know some people don't.  But I do.  I also wish that I knew how to plan better and didn't save everything for the last minute. Oh well.  The theme was dolls but it was kind of like a making party.  We made everything.  We don't do things the easy way.  It's kind of a problem.  I found the cutest paper dolls online and used the clothes to make the invites.  

All the dolls showed up.  All shapes and sizes.  Eva greeted them with a crown and a doll size place setting.  The girls made their own crowns as they showed up.

Eva was mourning that her grandma wasn't here to make her a doll cake.  Her grandma makes amazing cakes.  So, Karl to the rescue.  He told her he would build her a cake. And he did it.   Apparently, cake decorating skills can be inherited.  He made that fondant.  Did you know you can make fondant with marshmallows and powdered sugar?  I didn't know that until we moved here.

We went through a bunch of trouble to make a polka dotty cake like this lady and it kind of turned out.  We don't do things the easy way.

The inside looked like this:

And the scraps were even prettier.

For her 6th birthday, we had a baking party and made pizzas.  This birthday she wanted to make pizzas again.  So we did.  Ham and pineapple is her favorite.  "Hawaiian."  How appropriate.

The dolls ate, too.  The girls made them doll sized pizzas. 

 And while they waited for the pizzas to cook, they made "salad dolls" and ate them.  

 I am so grateful for some mommies that stayed and helped with our making party.  We like to make.  We made everything.  After they made their pizzas and ate, they made little bags. 


Made, made, made, made, made... 

I am especially grateful for the mommies that sat and made beautiful painting on each of the girls' faces.  She was surrounded by a crowd the whole time.  It was the entertainment for the party.  Eva's dream is to paint faces.  

So pretty, right?

Eva invited all her friends and their sisters.  Didn't want to leave them out.  It ended up being huge and happy.  

I absolutely love this age.  Love it.  She is sweet, and smart, and I love to be with her.  Independent, strong, loving, and so so so good.  This has been a year of beaches, hula, crafts, taking care of Maximus who adores her, baptism, travel, moving, lots of new places, bikes, swimming, friends, cousins... and dolls.   

 Happy birthday, Eva.  Thank you so much for these nine years.  

*And I'll admit it.  The day was exhausting.  So much fun. But seriously exhausting.  And I have proof.  This is how they fell asleep.  No joke.  Out cold.  Just like this.   

real people, real issues, real experiences to be had

This kid.  I don't know how we got him, but he is seriously the happiest thing.  And it's not just that he is happy.  He makes happy.  He actually creates it.  I swear.  I look at him and things feel lighter inside.  I see other people look at him and I can literally see them light up.  It's a gift.  And I'm lucky enough to be his parent.  

 I really do feel lucky.  I know not all babies are like this.  I know he may not be like this forever.  But I feel lucky to have him now.  Sure he complains every now and then.  Don't we all.  But, in general, this kid exudes joy.  

 Just the other day, we were at the pool and he took to marching/waddling around the pool.  Just walking and walking.  At first just Eva was following him.  Then another kid joined in, then another, then another.  Half a dozen kids were just following this happy kid around the pool.  I really think the kids could feel the happy.  They wanted some, too.  

 And I say, there are few people these days that will just give out that happy with no strings attached, expecting nothing in return.  But Maximus will.  Just by being.  He does.

Tonight, as I was fretting over some pretty petty social stuff, my good friend reminded me that there are real people, real issues, real experiences to be had.  It's something I have kind of been forgetting lately.  And maybe to most it is obvious.  But, well, me?  I have been getting down about things that don't matter.  And that's dumb.  So, this is my new mantra...

There are real people, real issues, real experiences to be had. 

I think I have been giving too much head space to issues that don't matter and experiences that, sure, are fun but not really fulfilling, and to people that don't really care about either of those things.  Fact is, not everyone values the same thing. What a great reminder this was.  No time for fake stuff, right?

I am pretty sure I will never be able to make happy the way that Maximus does.  That is his gift.  But I can look at my life this far and say that I have really contributed in other ways. And the people that I feel closest to are those that I think, like to contribute too. 

I'm so thankful for Maximus, that little ball of happy.  And for good friends that remind me of what is important in life.  

parmesan fondue

Fondue is a happy meal.  Not the McD's type.  Gross.  But a real happy meal.  It means family is gathering.  It means a long meal full of conversation with friends.  You never eat fondue by yourself, and you never eat and run a fondue meal.  You just don't.  Ahhh, many a fond fondue memories (couldn't resist, sorry).  We used to have a fondue party every year when we lived in Chicago.  Everyone brought something to dip.  So fun.  We just had one because a friend is leaving the island.  Fun party.  Sad reason.  It is sort of a valentines tradition for my little (okay, five feels big right now) family right now.  Looking back at this year, this year, this year, and this year, I thought a bunch of things... my kids have grown a ton and though I love them now so much, it really made me miss their tiny selves so bad.  I also realized we have been doing this v-day tradition for a long time.


So, just in time for v-day...

Parmesan Fondue

1 c. chicken broth (or 1 c. water plus bullion or whatever you like to use)

1/2 c. milk

1 8 oz block cream cheese (or neufchatel cheese)

2/3 c. grated parmesan cheese

1/2 t garlic salt (or real garlic if you have time)

I usually add 1/4 t nutmeg but I didn't have it in my island stash :)

Boil broth.  Add milk.  Once it reaches boiling point, turn down heat and add cream cheese.  Stir until heated through.  Add parmesan, garlic salt, and any other spices you want.  Stir until parmesan cheese is melted.  Put in fondue pot or crock pot on low.  If too thick, add milk or broth.  Can substitute swiss or cheddar cheese for parmesan.

Ideas for dipping: French bread, apples, pretzels, potatoes, broccoli, cauliflower, carrots, mini pickles, mushroom, bell peppers, crackers... be creative.  

Every year we pull this out for valentines day.  As a family.  The kids love it and it is a stress free, casual way to celebrate the holiday.  From my family to yours... just in time to celebrate valentines day.

carpe this

I read this article and kept feeling like she was expressing my thoughts exactly.  Just had to share:

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/glennon-melton/dont-carpe-diem_b_1206346.html

I just love honest people.

And I love those Kairos moments...

 These babies sure have grown.

Enjoying himself on top of the Empire State Building.  

good at the good times

Karl's mom took this photo.  Along with a bunch of others.  We have a lot of hair.

I keep waiting for "things" to return to "normal" and now I am starting to realize that I may be waiting a long long loooooong time.  

It's a new year.  And like every year, I want to start out fresh, organized, on time, and better. 

Good times.  We are good at having those. We can go from one good time to another.  Something sound fun?  Sign us up!  It doesn't make sense?  No matter!  What we're not so good at?  The necessities.  Car needs to be registered?  Lawn needs to be mowed?  Suitcases unpacked?  Naaaa.  We'd rather go swimming.  

A little family photo of our tradition of going to Nickelmania.  We stay til it closes.  Fun.

Got back from a great trip to spend New Years with my family and found out I would be speaking in church in a branch about 60 minutes north of my house. 

And this is how it went:

Worried all week about it.  

Felt completely inadequate to be saying much of anything in front a lot of people that I have never met before.

Finally sat down to work on the talk while kids fended for themselves. 

Stayed up too late finishing talk.

Woke up and got clothes ready for kids.

Got ready.  

Left 10 minutes later than I meant to.  

But in reality, I should have left 35 minutes earlier.

15 minutes from my house, the gas light comes on.

Called husband.  He assured me it would be fine. 

Then I drove and drove. 

Called husband and he called them to let them know how late I would be.

Then I kinda got lost.  

And if you know that the island has only one highway, that's funny.

And if you know that this building is on the main highway and that I have passed this building over 1/2 dozen times before, well, that's even more amusing.

Called husband and he reminded me how to get there.

Found the building 25 minutes late.

There isn't a single parking space.  

Double parked.  Tried to find some cars that weren't tourists but I couldn't sort out the shiny rental Jeeps from the local pickup trucks.  So I just parked.

Walk in, and have to go all the way up the front because that is where the speakers sit.

And the man that was going to speak after me, is speaking. 

When it is my turn, I let everyone know that no one can sneak out without hearing my talk because I trapped everyone in and hopefully I have enough gas to get out of the parking lot because I just drove an hour with my gas light on.

Talk went well.  I didn't faint or say anything ridiculous.

After the meeting so many nice people wanted to help me with my empty gas tank.

Nice people.

Someone ends up following me to the nearest gas station.

I pass the gas station and they have to show me how to turn around.

I paid $4.79/ gallon for gas.  

And then I drove home. 

And it felt so good to have that over with.

So so so good.

And somehow the view of the ocean on the way home was so much better than when I was on the way there.

Made it back to my church meeting to catch the tail end.  

Took a snapshot of this dreamy photo of all the kids in the ward.  But, there is one kid that has another kid in a headlock of sorts.  Who is that? What kid does that?

 Oh, he must be from a family that is all about having a good time.

without pictures

I'll admit it.  I like the books with pictures.  

And sometimes when there aren't pictures, I have to pull out the big bowl of effort to get me through. 

Sometimes.  Not always.

But sometimes the most important things don't get a picture.  Like the little things that my kids do, like say, "Can I go get him?" when they hear Maximus wake up.  I can't get that in a pictures.  But it is precious and sweet and really makes me happy.  

Or how about the crappy things that happen?  Like when Samuel broke the door handle off the car 9 minutes after they handed over the keys.  There is no way I could have captured him flying backwards when the handle gave and the shocked look in his face when he saw the dangling handle.  But that event definitely makes it onto our funny story playlist. 

Some things just don't get a picture.

I have recently moved to a far away land where I did not know a soul.  Meeting people is actually really hard for me, and sometimes I wish I could just fast forward to the part where we are old friends and we can laugh and connect and help each other.  I have a tendency to re-evaluate everything I do or say.  And the evaluation doesn't come out so hot when it feels like my mind doesn't move as fast as the opportunities for my mouth to move come up.  More often than not, I walk away thinking, "I wish I would have said..." or even worse, "I wish I wouldn't have said... ."  I love new friends, don't get me wrong, but we meet new friends because we want them to become old friends, right?  I want to get past the try-outs and get to the part where I just am and where I can contribute. 

You know what I love?  Really really really love?  Is when I am with people that I feel so comfortable with that I don't have to worry about what I say.  I don't even have to use my mind.  My heart does most of the work. 

You know what's best about old friends?  They don't judge you because they KNOW you.  They know that when you say something really really idiotic, it doesn't mean you actually are an idiot.  

So, old friends.  As in, I met them two decades ago.  This trip the stars were aligned and we were able to get together more than I would have ever expected.  You see, together we take care of 19 kids, 6 households, school stuff, family stuff, work stuff, we are busy people.  The topics we covered in our little heart to hearts back then, sure have changed.  Topics of drivers licenses, prom, summer jobs, boyfriends, zits, and new outfits, have evolved into recipes, organization, health, kids' chores, dealing with kids' lying, nursing, and communicating with our spouses.  Sure, my insecurities of those younger days are gone.  But only to be replaced with new ones of today.  And somehow I was able to bring my heavy bag of worries to the table and I walked away with a clear mind and my load gone.  They helped me do that.  It's like they took my bag, pulled out each worry, addressed it, chucked it, and we laughed as it floated away.  

So, in the midst of celebrating the New Year, and playing games, and lunching, and driving, and dining, and doting over a new baby, and going to the temple, these people, effortlessly helped me.  No fakeys, no flattery, no insincerity.  And just thinking about it makes me kind of teary.  Because I feel so lucky to have that.  I feel so glad to have my load lighter.  I feel so grateful that tied in with the laughs, and food, and games, and celebrating, there was real stuff, heart stuff.

And that?  That doesn't get a picture, does it?  

our 2011 christmas card

There are neighbor friends, church friends, family friends, school friends, friends we have met while traveling, friends we have met when we lived in one of our bajillion moves, Facebook friends, blog friends, friends that we have known for a few months, and friends that we have known for decades. And of those friends, some of those friends have become Christmas card friends.  

I love those Christmas card friends. I just love the whole idea of putting the card together (even if the simple card takes me way longer than it should) and thinking about each person.  I love getting a cards and seeing how the family is doing and how they have changed.  I love taping the cards up and recalling the memories that I have made with the different people.  I hate taking them down because I love looking at them as I walk by.  I am a sentimental junkie and this is a tradition that I hope never dies.

I think it is so fun to read the 2011 recaps and accomplishments. This year I joked that I should make a list of all our blunders in numbers and send them with our card.  You know, just to keep it real.  Like how many times one of our kids got sent to the principal's office, or how many times I forgot to pick up the kids on early release day, or how many flights we almost missed... you know awesome stuff like that.  Let's be honest, you know that would make a lot of people feel really good.  People like to know they aren't the only ones screwing up, right?

Whatever kind of friend you are, I hope you had a memorable Christmas.

i just heard that people read my blog

I stopped.  The thrill of blogging got overshadowed by the instant gratification of Facebook and Pinterest. Blogging took time and I had about a billion things going on this year.  Didn't think anyone would notice and thought the year was so crazy that I would for sure remember all that went on.  

But I guess I was wrong.  I can't remember a thing.  My brain is all mush.  And I am sad about that.

December somehow happened.  2011 somehow happened.

My resolution for 2011.

Record more.

And forgive myself if I happen to not record more.