Do You Recognize this Number: 1-800-222-1222

I had to call it again yesterday at 5:00 p.m.

I had to call it for the 3rd time on Laney.

Yah, it's Poison Control.

Yesterday, I was in the bathroom brushing my teeth and I walked out for a second. Just to check my email. I had none. I walked back into my bathroom and there she was holding the bottle of Visine A.


Did you know that Visine A is one of the worst things a child could injest? That children have died from drinking it? I didn't either. Until last night.

On the surface, I didn't really think that she had drank any. But deep down, I just couldn't be sure. And I just couldn't take that risk not with our caboose, not with our sunshine, and not with our pot at the end of the rainbow.

So, yes, I spent the next 5 hours in the ER. That is the half life of this medicine. Luckily for me, I mean her, all they had to do was monitor her blood pressure, oxygen level and heartrate. No needles. Yahoo! Did you see my cartwheels?

She's fine.

Unfortunately I forgot to grab my camera when I was leaving the house. I wonder what was on my mind...

Does Anyone Know...

... know how to stop time that is.

She's just growing way too fast. And I want to savor every moment. She's our caboose; she's our sunshine; she's our pot at the end of the rainbow.

I know I've said it before, but she just brings so much joy to our family. Before she was born, I wouldn't even have come close to imagining the impact she would have on our family.

Privacy. So, you remember when I posted No More Diaper Duty for Me? Well, it still amazes me that she is potty trained at such a young age. (And even dismays at times because there were many clothes that she couldn't wear like onsies or overalls that zipped up the back that I had bought for her to wear before she was even born.) Well, here we are, 3 months later, and she is doing great. Because she is still so young and small, she needs help being lifted onto the potty (if her stool is in another bathroom in the house). Immediately after I lift her and place her on the toilet, she says, "Privacy. Privacy" It sounds so funny coming from such a little voice. But it begs the question: how many times has she heard me say this.

Sweet Nothings. The term sweet nothings has totally come to life through her. I love when she gets close to my ear and literally whispers sweet nothings (jibberish) into my ear. To keep it going because I love it so much, I usually whisper them back into her ear and then she whispers in my ear again.

I Awake. This is her newest thing. When I get her from her crib in the mornings, she greets me with "I awake!". It started on our St. George trip when we were all sharing one big hotel room together. Now it has translated into naptime and bedtime too. When we go to place her in her bed she says, "I awake!" as if this means she should not be placed in her bed.

Questions Game. This too is one of my favorites. Usually it starts when we are sitting around the table for lunch or dinner. Tyler and Ethan start peppering her with questions to which she always answers yes. Usually the questions start out innoncent enough: Laney, do you like your sandwhich? Laney do you want more milk? Then, bringing on the giggles, it transgresses to these questions: Laney, do you want to eat a frog? Laney do you want to stick your head in the oven? Laney, do you want to live in an igloo?

What Is It about a College Campus that...

makes you feel young?

This morning Laney and I ran an errand at the "Y" (Brigham Young University) for our family. Steve joined the Cosmo (BYU's mascot) Kids' Club so he could get tickets for both football games and basketball games to take the boys too. This is something he has been waiting a long time to do with our boys. Steve's dad took him to several games when he was little and he loved it. (Those are some of his favorite memories of his dad.)

Today I had to switch the vouchers for tickets:

SUCCESS!!!

Okay, all you BYU alumni, here is a little tour for you.

I parked by:

BRICK OVEN! Boy,do they have the best pizza! I went on several dates here. How 'bout you?

Before I even made it up to campus, I had to become "the little engine that could" and traverse this:

Boy was this a work out, especially pushing a stroller. (Why doesn't it look as steep as it really was?)

The first building that I walked by when I got onto campus was this:

And. of course, when you are at BYU, you have to go to:

and as a happy surprise, they now have a BYU Creamery in the CougarEat. Of course, Laney and I had to indulge:

Good until the last bite!!

Before we left campus, we stopped to "smell the roses" and enjoy the beauty of campus:

Here was something new on the road, that I hadn't seen before:

This was painted on the road by the intramural fields.

Our errand tired out Laney so much, that she:

What a sweetie! I am so glad that I have her to be my little companion on these errands. It's so much fun with her.

Change is Hard

I don't like change. I never have, and I don't think I ever will. I leave my furniture the way it is; I don't rearrange it for "something different". I order the same thing from a menu when I return to a restaurant. I know what I like and I like what I know.

And unfortunately...

there is so much change coming into my life, and ALL at the same time. I am completely overwhelmed.

Tomorrow Tyler and Ethan are set with these:and ready to head out the door to their first day of school. Yes, the day that I thought I wanted is coming way too fast. It will be here tomorrow. Tyler is starting 2nd grade and Ethan is starting 1st grade. Tomorrow starts the first time they will both be gone all day. What will I do? How do I get my stomach out of my throat? What if someone is being mean to them? What if their teacher doesn't know how special to me they are? What if they can't figure out what to do with their lunch tray after they eat?

Most of you know that for the past year and a half, I have been lucky enough to work with these daughters of our Heavenly Father:

and these daughters of our Heavenly Father:

Today, I was released from this responsibility, as the Beehive Counselor. While I know this change is inspired, it hasn't been without some drama. Fortunately. I tried to be the bigger person, but unfortunately, my emotions got the best of me. I think they are resolved now. Thank you friend for taking time on a Sunday for my emotional, junior high-school ramblings. You have helped me (you know who you are).

About these daughters, what if I didn't do enough for them? Do they know that Heavenly Father has a plan for them? Do they know the Savior loves them and knows their name? Do they know that I love them too? Do they know how special they each are? I wanted to one-by-one tell them why I love them (one for her love of shoes - no matter how uncomfortable, one for her beautiful smile that speaks volumes, one for her red personality that is so like mine, another for her pure testimony), but unfortunately I didn't have the time.

And s0, tonight I was told in a blessing to focus on this daughter of our Heavenly Father:

because my relationship with her is eternal and everlasting.

Alayna is such a special spirit and adds so much for our family. I resolve now to make the most of my time with her; before she too is quickly donning a backpack and waving goodbye.

And, the last change, although I sought it out, is that I will soon be earning one of these:

a paycheck.

I am going to start writing proposals and technical documents on a very part-time basis. I am hoping that I can do it while Laney is sleeping and it won't interfere with my time with her at all. I have always valued the fact that I have a college degree, and the security it brings to me. I know that if something ever happens to Steve, I have a means to support my family. Keeping up and honing my writing skills is almost a hobby for me. I am an English nerd; I like knowing what a comma splice is, what an antecedent is, or how to write in active or passive voice. (Thanks mom and the Chicago Manual of Style!) But, I must admit I am a little nervous. What if it doesn't go as smoothly as I plan? What if I can't get the work done while she is napping? What if I love it too much and want more?

And then the words of one of my favorite scriptures come to mind (John 14:27): Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.

I love the scriptures and know that they are for me. I love the peace that only the Savior can bring. I know if I focus on the right priorities then I will have the peace of the Savior.

Who Are the People in Your Neighborhood?

I am so lucky to live in a neighborhood where the people actually know each other. (I guess that's one of the benefits of attending church together.) And, luckily, the Bosches live on the same street as I do. Yahoo!

Last night was a thoughly enjoyable evening. We invited Celeste, Andrew, Allie (3) and Kallin (2) over for a BBQ. We wanted to enjoy our new backyard.

BEFORE: This is what our backyard used to look like.

AFTER: a place for the kids to play. (COMING SOON: I need to get a better picture and will insert it tomorrow.)

We were able to put in a stamped, colored cement patio, a sprinkling system and some sod. For you easterner: a sprinkling systems lets grass grow out here in the desert. I, and the kids, have never been more happy. (Not pictured is our airplane teeter toter that holds 7 kids and our new hammock under our porch.)

Anway, thanks Bosches for coming over. I have been able to work with Celeste in the Young Women's Program at chuch, and luckily our friendship transends that now. She has been mentioned in several of my previous posts: She's Getting a Reputation and It's BUNKO Time. We have already decided that our children are going to get married. haha

Talking about what most men talk about: sports. Of course, who else but the phenom, Michael Phelps.

Can we do it again soon? How about tomorrow?

Why should you be a good sport? Oh yeah, 'cuz you just might not do what you think you are going to do!

So, did you see it?

How could you miss it?

I have seen it called the "greatest relay race in the history of the Olympics". I am talking about the 4 x 100 relay race. I just have one word: AWESOME! The race would have been fantasic regardless of the smack talking, but it was just that much more delicious because of it! I am talking about the arrogant French. Here is the quote: The Americans? We are going to smash them. That's what we came here for. Ummm....I thought you came here to win the gold.

The race was intense!

I made sure to show this relay race to my boys this morning. (I just love my DVR.) I wanted to show them that you should never give up; no matter what. I remember my brother-in-law, Buff, telling me that he learned that lesson when he attended a football game with his father as a small child. Oh yeah, and I also wanted to show them why they should be good sports.

Another amazing, but seldom mentioned fact, is that five --five--of the competing teams broke the world record set by the United States during the preliminary.

That's unbelievable!

I just love the Olympics! I love the history, learning about the host country, the rivalries, the human-interest stories of the athletes, and the physical prowess of the athletes. I have to say that gymnastics is my favorite to watch. I really get involved. I remember before the Athens Olympics, I was watching the qualifying gymnastics meet for the men. The commentators were just about to finish announcing the finalists when Steve appeared. Seeing the look on my face, he asked me what was wrong? Too distracted, I almost didn't hear him. There were actually no words to describe what was wrong.

How do I put into words the quintessential part of who I am? How do I put into words concerns from yesteryear? How do I put in words the pure angst I was feeling? Here's why. There was a set of twins trying out, and one had already been announced as part of Team USA for Athens. Would the other make it? Oh please, he just has to make. (I am talking about Paul and Morgan Hamm, who incidentally both had to withdraw from Beijing due to injury). Yeah, the biggest sigh when the second twin made it.

3 Hotels, 2 States, 1 Trip

Well, we're finally back from our week and a half of travel; and we're staying put! We (the kids and I) tagged along with Steve while he traveled through Utah for a business trip. Sometimes I think I am crazy to do this because I am pretty much "hotel room trapped." But this time I had resolved to keep them busy and we were determined to be a little less intense at bedtime. And the result was awesome!!

I would say this was our best St. George trip ever. We chose the right hotel this time because they had an indoor and an outdoor pool and they had an indoor and outdoor playground. We spent lots of time at all of them.

With the boys being a little bit older, and Laney entertained in the "floatie", we were able to play some fun pool games. Marco Polo was our favorite by far. We played it several times.

RED CLIFFS PARK in St. George

I don't know if this cute little "park" is really called that, but it seems appropriate. We found it as we were driving around (some friends of ours had told us about it) and wanted to stop to explore. The red rocks are so beautiful to me. Possibly because nothing like them exists on the east coast where I grew up.

Ethan wasn't too excited to explore after Steve and I told the boys that we needed to check any place that they were going for animals (like snakes and scorpions). He is always my cautious one. I told him that was a good thing when he started getting down on himself for it.

Here we are exploring the little canyon.

Tyler loved this little cave that he found.












Look at this little beauty!

We found a little nook to take a break from the hot sun.

After our time in St. George for Steve's work, we weren't ready to come home. So, wanting to extend our vacation for a little bit, we headed south west to Mesquite for the less expensive hotel rooms and inexpensive, but yummy prime rib dinners. And to my favorite--the buffets.

LANEY'S NEWEST TRICK in Mesquite, Nevada

Alayna LOVED jumping off the side of the pool and landing in the water with her "floatie." She was so cute as she would count 3, 2, 1, before she jumped. (Later it evolved to 3, 1, 3.) It was darling to hear her little laugh as she came up wiping her face. She was a great sport.