Completing May

First the frivilous update: Item number one, the drapes are done! Actually, they've been done for a while now, but photos were not taken until today. Thank you all for your gentle nudging in accomplishing this seemingly simple task- they are currently a source a great pride and joy.







Item number two: Coop had another haircut. I know, hardly something to blog about, but Dad did this one and while it needs a bit of attention, he did a pretty good job! It instantly made Cooper look older and his little round face even rounder!





Sorry, getting one of just a simple smile? Not possible.



And finally, item number three: John Deere shirts on sale... why are tractors cool even when we do not live on a farm, or near one, or even frequent them? Cooper did ride on one at Wheeler Farm when he was visiting Uncle Ben, but that does not explain the little boy's facination with tractor shirts. Boston and Cooper lounging in their new John Deere apparel:



Cooper and Boston loving Jackson- to death. Good thing the little guy is resiliant!

Quick Catch-up

I've had a few inquiries as to whether I'm still alive and while I appreciate your thoughts, I need to post tonight for the sake of recording events, it's been a wonderfully busy week and a half.

First, and not the most importantly, the Phoenix Suns were eliminated from the play-offs. This deserves much more ranting about the injustice of NBA officials, but a mere mention is going to have to do for now.

Second, I had an incredible weekend of fabulous food. Yep, I'm blogging about my meals. This past weekend was Denten's firm's annual retreat and it was held in Phoenix this year. We made the mistake of not taking advantage of the free stay at the Biltmore (lesson learned) but did partake in two great evenings. Friday we ate at the Phonician Resort with the Real Estate Group- I know, it sounds boring but it was fun to see the place and socialize with Dent's collegues. Highlight: the salmon and garlic whipped potatoes. Saturday evening was a formal dinner and dancing event at the Biltmore. The place is fabulous! The grounds are so green and beautiful that I was swept away from the desert of Phoenix all together and really enjoyed myself. We were reunited with friends we met while in Milwaukee and caught up on where life has taken us since then. They are wonderful people that were delightful to visit with. The hightlight: the creme brulee, ah, divine. Also, quite entertaining to see the stuffy proper older attorneys let it all out on the dance floor- hilarious, really.

Between those lovely events was May's Gourmet Club luncheon. This month it was hosted by Angie and Raquel and the girls really impressed. Held in Raquel's serene backyard, the atmosphere was perfect- tropical music, the fountain running in the pool, the table was beautiful (flowers by Angie) and the food just kept getting better! They had two dishes for each course, each from a different country. My favorites (although I thoroughly enjoyed them all) were the Chilean salmon on puff pastry with basil pesto and the English lime and lemon posset. The afternoon was so delightful- it doesn't get better than a pleasant outdoor day with delicious food and wonderful friends.



And lest it sounds like all I've done is play, the real reason for the blogging neglect is that business is in full swing! It's going so well, I can't complain... yet! I can see the potential for being swallowed in too much to do, but I'm taking it one thing as a time and it's been pretty enjoyable so far.

The last and most important piece of news (congratulations for lasting this long in the super-long post) is that we are officially certified to adopt! More details to come on this exciting adventure- stuff that needs to be recorded, but needs to be processed in my head first. Stuff that I'm just not ready to throw into the bloggisphere quite yet. Please understand. When I look back on this day, I want to remember that I am grateful for divine intervention.

SPT Mother's Day Weekend

I had a terrific weekend, and I am currently quite grateful to my mother for blessing me with siblings. I had my sister Lindsay here this weekend and was reminded that while quite different, my sisters will always be my dearest friends.
Lindsay arrived Friday and one of the purposes of her trip was to help Cooper be a little more comfortable in the water. He's not scared of it as long as it's on his own terms. He'll play in the pool for hours, but the key word there is play, not swim. I need him to know the basics living here and being around water so much; there are too many drownings reported here each summer for me to ignore. Lindsay has taught swimming at home for the past few summers, so I thought she'd have the magic touch. I did not take photos of the first day, which was, in a word, ugly. And loud. You'd think he was dying, the poor screaming kid. I'm glad Linny pushed it a bit, but the swimming sessions after the first were focused more on having fun and that was a good idea. Here is how the weekend in the pool ended:





While we did spend a fair amount of time lounging by the pool reading gossip mags, we also indulged in two-for-one massages at the local school of massage therapy. I totally needed it and it was totally worth the wait! We also pampered our feet... Lindsay with a lovely french variety and I with a bright summer tangerine- not to mention true Phoenix Suns spirit on each little toe!



As for the Suns, wow! what a game last night! I was happy to cheer for the Jazz and Linny for the Suns... heaven help us if they end up playing each other next week! After watching the collision incident and the incredible comeback- well, there is nothing like Suns basketball my friends!



We also threw in a little shopping to make the visit complete- Cooper was a good sport and fairly pleasant singing at the top of his lungs in the IKEA marketplace and counting each step we took down Mill Ave in Tempe.



So on this Mother's Day Weekend recap, I definately had a great mini-vacation and got lots of love from my boys and now it's back to the real world of laundry, bathrooms and work... And to my own mom: I love you like crazy and am extremely proud to be your daughter and friend.

Calling all Angels...

Cooper has mastered the art of stalling at bedtime. Not getting into bed, just letting Denten or I leave the room after he's all tucked in. He inevitiably needs a drink, a snack, has a soggy diaper or stuffy nose. I have learned to cover all possible options before he gets into bed. We have struggled in the past having him stay in his bed, a door lock saved my sanity. I know it sounds terribly cruel to some, but it worked for us. I haven't had to use it lately, he's gotten much better at staying in his room when it's time to go to sleep. The deal is that he gets tucked in and the door stays unlocked. If he decides to venture out, he gets put back in bed and the lock is engaged. He knows the drill and tests it occasionally. Tonight we (he) had a bath, brushed teeth, had a drink, cleared the nose, read a couple of stories followed by his scriptures. We said a prayer, turned off the light, turned on the humidifier and got him into bed. Sang "Jesus Wants Me for a Sunbeam" and "I am a Child of God." This is the routine every night- well not the bath, but everything else.

After getting him tucked in, leaving his room, embarking on my awaiting projects, I heard the doorknob turn... "Oh-oh" I replied, which is the signal that some kind of minor punishment is about to ensue. He quickly started defending himself explaining that the door should remain closed, but not locked. We got back in bed and then he looked at me and asked,

"Jesus keep me safe, mom?"
"Yes, Jesus will keep you safe."
"Angels keep me safe, mom?"
" Yes, your angels will keep you safe."
"Jesus and angels come now mom?
"Yes, they're here now, you're safe and can go to sleep."
"Oh, ok. night night."

I absolutely believe that we all have our own team of angels that watch over us and our families. I find great comfort in that. There are days when I really couldn't do it without my angels. I love that Cooper knows his Savior and his angels are watching over him, keeping him safe and protected. It's wonderful to see that the power of his angels outweigh the fear of the monsters, bears, bugs and whatever else his little imagination creates each day. Simple faith. That of a child. Amazing that my two-year-old baby reminds me that I don't go through this life alone, that we have constant divine companions surrounding us ready to step in when we just can't do it anymore. I don't think moms could be moms without angels. Sometimes there is just too much required, but we do it because we have help. I have had a pretty good week, but am very grateful for my angels, both invisible and two-years-old.

What a Gentleman!

The scene: Friday evening, Macaroni Grill. We've already wandered through Best Buy trying to kill time as we had a 35 minute wait. With 15 minutes left, we camped just outside the front door waiting for our buzzer to buzz. Cooper started playing with the doors and then began opening them for anyone coming or going. Seeing as it was Friday evening at prime dining time, he was standing with the door open for a fair amount of time.



It was interesting to watch the variety of reactions from the passers-by. He had a few say, "thank you," a few "oh, isn't he cute!" and some who walked right in oblivious to the fact that is was a two-year old holding the door for them. The best comment, however, was, "what a gentleman!" Isn't that what every mom wants their little boy to be? We want them to be tough and stand up for themselves, we want them to be intelligent and take an interest in the world around them, but we want them to be gentlemen, to know how to treat their fellow men (and mothers) with respect. A much older gentleman recognized the admirable quality in my little boy and made his evening by pulling out a dollar. What a sweet gesture!



Cooper's tip



The reason for the above celebration is that Denten's dad graduated Saturday from Grand Canyon University with a Master of Art in Teaching degree. He and Dianna came down for the weekend and logged some great grandparent time. Whenever they visit, we always eat too much, stay up too late and are so sorry to see them go. Cooper just woke up from his nap looking for Grandma. It's so sad to tell him she had to go back to Utah! Here are a couple of Cooper's good examples of quality gentlemen.



Congratulations Grandpa!



And, lest we forget dear gentleman Steve and the sacrifice of blood he made on this fine day, here is a photographic reminder. Too bad the mess that was his nose can't quite be justified as the Suns are down 1-0 to the Spurs. They'll be back Tuesday, with stitches and a new resolve to put Tim Duncan under!

Art Market

Art Market is coming up and you will be remiss if you don't take advantage of it! My Aunt Nanette started Art Market quite a few years ago and operated out of her home until the business grew right out of it and required more room. She now holds it at various Salt Lake City locations a few times a year.

Art Market is an eclectic collection of handmade goods. Please don't think "boutique," at least not what I used to consider "boutique." This is not the Quilted Bear, my friends. This is cool! Nanette is the epitomy of fabulous design sense with a little funky thrown in. She is very selective in choosing her vendors and the product is high quality and high class.

Below is a sampling of the offerings available.

Darling Baby boxes (hand painted by Nanette. I actually have one of these myself and love it! I love that there is not another one like it on the planet and that the little poem on the top fits me perfectly).



Doll Beds - again, hand painted, each one unique.



My sister Katelyn has created these darling onsies and baby headbands. Just looking at them makes me want a baby!!



Seriously, irresistable!



What little girl would not look like springtime with this on her head?!



Shadow boxes- $75



Skirts are in the $30-$40 range



Purses are in the $40-$50 range



Paintings $40-$75



Jewelry $30-$75



If you happen to be in the Salt Lake area May 11 and 12, you will thoroughly enjoy the incredible creative stimulation offered at the Sugarhouse Garden Center. This is a fabulous opportunity for gifts of all kinds that are thoughtful and original. What's better than giving a gift that is one-of-a-kind?!
If you are out of the area and are interested in Art Market's selection, Nanette is great to work with over the phone. 801.244.7275. Oh, I wish I was there...Good luck ladies!!

SPT: Show and Tell

The task is to show and tell a treasure smaller than a deck of cards. Thanks to a little tarnish remover, this treasure once again looks like new.

 

I received this necklace from my boys the Mother's Day after Cooper was born, two years ago. It came in a very recognizable small tourquoise box with "Tiffany & Co." scribed on top. Little did I know that it could get better than that when I opened the box.
What I love most is the meaning of the piece of jewelry. This particular symbol is entitled "Eternal Circle." Denten made the visit to Tiffany's on 5th Avenue in New York City and picked it out himself. After quite a few Mother's Days wishing like crazy I could celebrate this particular holiday, having Denten give something so thoughtful on behalf of himself and Cooper meant the world to me. I will always remember sitting in our little NY apartment with my husband and baby boy knowing that because of the choices we had made that we would be together forever. We are part of an eternal circle and I am grateful I have this special reminder.