Stella in February

a chilly day at soccer

soccer practice

windblown at football

cheering our favorite soccer players

on dad's birthday enjoying the swing

with her pal Fischer, and sitting up on her own!

My valentine

valentine's day 2013

Go Buffs!

Uncle Dan the Man coaches the women's basketball team at Colorado University and they came to play ASU this weekend.  We grabbed Dan for dinner Saturday evening and he managed to engage in adult conversation and catch up with us while kids climbed all over him.  They love Dan the Man.  A lot.  

The next day we went to cheer on the Buffalos in Tempe.  I was prepared for bored kids, but they totally surprised me.  They were engaged and following the game and cheering both loudly and appropriately.  They had a blast and Dent and I felt like we'd gone back in time as basketball used to take up a lot of our time... he played, officiated and coached... I cheered from the stands and yelled at the refs a lot.  

We had such a good time, wish he came more often... and we really wish Aunt Linny would have come too!!

Daddy-Daughter Dance

Ishikawa daddy-daughter dance, Feb. 2013

Seneca came home a few weeks ago bouncing out of her skin waving a flier from school around over her head.  "I get to go to a dance with dad!!"  My first thought was actually a prayer.. please, please let him be available.  Due to rainy Saturdays, we ended up having a make-up soccer game the night of the dance, and even though this girl loves her soccer, there was no conflict in her mind.

We discussed wearing something she might dance a little better in, but she wanted her fanciest attire for her date with dad.  She had a ball learning new moves with dad (a flip!) and squealing with her friends. I'm all for this kind of school activity... and I'm oh, so grateful Dent carved out room in his calendar to make it happen. He's always had something special for this little girl, and it is clear that the feeling is mutual.  Here's to many more daddy-daughter dates!

today.

Beckham does not appreciate the peanut component of Monster Munch. He will consume his entire portion of popcorn and leave me a little pile of peanuts.

Seneca believes the best thing about candy corn is using them to stick in her teeth to make fangs. She has a very spooky voice when she threatens to eat me.

I am not sure who invented candy corn, but he and I have very different palates. G.R.O.S.S.

I visited another preschool this week as I was contemplating throwing Bex in the mix and trying to work out what would be best for the two littles. I am not an educator by profession. Not even close, so I'm not sure where my expectations come from, but I am not easily satisfied. I would have never guessed that one of the biggest stressors in my life this year would be related to my children's education. It has kept me awake at night far more than any other issue. While it stresses me out sometimes, I am completely grateful that I do not have bigger things to worry about in my life right now. I know I'm blessed. I really do.

It's a little chilly outside in the mornings these days and my children insist on getting out there as soon as possible. I insist on shoes. They like to pretend I don't. Today I told Seneca and Beckham that they were welcome to play outside if they kept shoes on their feet. As they tried to sneak out the door, I added that if I saw them without something on their feet, the princess skirts would go up high and be gone today. That stopped them both in their tracks. Yes, they were both wearing princess skirts and shoes have not been an issue today.

A month after first beginning potty training, I can say that I don't even think about it anymore. He runs in there when he needs to do his thing and despite my best efforts in trying to get him to sit down, he stands on his little tippy-toes, reaches over the edge of the toilet and gets it in there. That's what dad and Cooper do, after all. There is no more potty laundry, no wet beds, and no more diapers... yipee!!

Cooper has been interested in the basketball court lately and is not satisfied when I say I can see him from the window. He wants his audience giving him full attention, outside next to the court.

I've been working on Halloween costumes this week and I will admit that I am one lucky woman that my children do not have high expectations. The admiration for all of you who make your own every year and have them looking fabulous has grown 100 fold. I must admit that I just don't care that much! What will be, will be and I am completely ok with it.

We have been out of butter all week. Butter! Of all things.

I've decided that running up and down the park lawn passing a soccer ball back and forth with Coop, trying to defend his goals and then helping little bodies across the monkey bars over and over and over constitutes a very admirable workout. I was sweaty! They were sweaty and we all slept well.

Dent has been super busy at work lately. He came home early enough to carve pumpkins with us last night but I'm afraid we'll pay for it for a while as we'll probably all be asleep before he arrives tonight. Late nights are a bummer, but I'll take them over unemployment any day.

tuesday.

I have artists living in my house. In fact, they believe that this house is their art gallery. The actual house, as in the walls. We have spent a lot of time coloring lately and somewhere along the line the crayons and pencils moved from the paper to the walls. We spent some quality time with the Mr. Clean magic eraser today. That thing is a lifesaver.

Seneca may or may not be asleep in her bed right now with ballet slippers on her feet. That's how excited she is to start dance class tomorrow.

She has also thrown some impressive tantrums this week. Gotta give the girl points for stamina. And me too.

Bex has been completely delightful lately. He got his hair cut Sunday and is so dang cute I can't handle it. He does things I think are funny just to get me to laugh at him like pull his jammie pants way up high. He's an awesome eater and goes to bed without a fuss.

Cooper and I have been reading the the first book in the Boxcar Children series at bedtime after scriptures. This is a change-up from Magic Tree House. The chapters are longer, but we're both liking it. I never really read these books, although I think one of my sisters really liked them... Katelyn, maybe?

Adoption certification is final. I feel perfectly content right now that the right little spirit will join our family whenever the time is right. I don't think it will happen quickly, but I'm not in charge.

Shout out to my dad who was a year older Sunday. He's pretty much the coolest old man I know, but don't tell him that. He gets a big head easily.

We made a decision on lights for the entry, dining and living rooms. They're pretty cool and I'm excited to get them up!

Coop had music class today. He came home excited to show me the chords he was learning, except that he doesn't know they are called chords yet... they are "tricks with his fingers." Love it. This program is really cool. We are practicing five days a week, which I thought would be a lot, but it's been fun and I love the things he's learning while thinking he's playing. brilliant.

I said the word, "cool" a lot in this post.

Denten just walked in from his swimming lesson. Better go give him some love. He is my one and only, you know. 'night.

wednesday ramblings

sometimes when I ask seneca to do something, she answers me, "yes, master" and salutes. I don't know where she got it, but it's hilarious.

beckham did awesome watermelon rolls off the diving board today at swim lessons.

coop had a great first day of school. he didn't so much appreciate the writing practice I had him do at home, but if he doesn't get it at school, he'll have to do it at home! school gets out right in the middle of nap time... gotta find a solution to that. there is a bus option, but I don't like that he would spend an extra half hour on the bus when I can just bring him right home.

we have termites. joy, joy, joy.

last week we got a new water heater. we have a new a/c fan. we need tile in the bathroom, I have three toilet devices in my bathroom currently and there has been talk of getting rid of the stinky family room carpet. I'm pretty sure there will be a project around here until I die. if only all these trees had money on them...

school has begun, which should mean fall, but it doesn't. I still sweated through 105 degrees during swimming today. I don't mind the heat, but it seems weird that school is in and it doesn't smell crisp outside.

my kids think it's fun to put on socks and skate around. cheap entertainment.

speaking of entertainment, this afternoon beckham was playing the piano and seneca was up on the ladder with her microphone, belting out something dramatic.

several have asked if I cried today as I sent my little boy to school. no. I kind of thought I would, but I've been crying pretty solid for the last two weeks about other school issues and I guess I didn't have any left today. he was fine, so I was fine. his school experience is a sensitive topic. I hold it together if I don't think much about it.

I'm pretty sure there were more articles of clothing, bedding and towels in my laundry room than in the rest of the house combined earlier this week. I literally had to step over piles to get to my broom closet. it was all sorely neglected. I'm pleased to say that this afternoon the floor is clear and the bins are empty. and it's almost all put away. that's major. you may be proud of me. denten will think there was a laundry miracle.

I'm in a dinner rut. Am I always in a dinner rut? I need to print off ashlee's cookbook, I think it holds answers for me.

seneca is great.

Yesterday when we were in the pool, I heard Seneca tell Beckham, "I am a great swimmer." Beckham repeated it and said that he was also a great swimmer. Seneca agreed and off they went together.

This morning we're at the table during learning time. Beckham has been working on his colors this week. Seneca spent some time on her letters and then they both were coloring. Seneca is enthralled with coloring lately and is very focused during her work. She didn't look up when she told me, very matter-of-factly, "mom, I am great at coloring." I had to agree.

I suppose it could have sounded a little cocky, the way she was touting her abilities, but I hope that her confidence continues her whole life. She is going to encounter magazine covers and media outlets and unkind people who will attempt to make her think that she is less than great and if she can internalize the idea now that she is a Daughter of a King, and that means greatness, then it will allow her to soar right over all of the inadequacies that are inevitable coming at her as a female in this generation.

She's beautiful and strong and destined for amazing things. And I'm glad she knows it. And if you ask, she'll also tell you that she is a great reader. And she fully believes that.

observations

about fitness challenge... day 1:

- my run actually felt pretty good, although it was inside on the treadmill as denten is out of town and I wasn't towing three extras along with me outside! there is nothing good on TV at 6:15 in the morning and I don't have a dvr in the room where my treadmill is. oh well, it felt good anyway.

- I have been overly sensitive about everything I eat, to the point where I found myself hungry a few different times today.

- I did the obligatory weigh-in this morning and documented weight and body fat starting points. my goal in all of this is not to lose weight, but rather kick a few habits and establish a few new good ones.

- 7:30 is early for me to be done eating for the night. this will be a challenge. I don't want to grab something fast (and unhealthy) just to eat before my time is up when I could wait a while and have a good and healthy meal a little later. planning ahead... that's the secret!

- I will have to be careful about snacking as tortilla chips, pretzels and other carb snacks with high sodium are available and an alternative to a "treat." I need better snack options. nuts, yogurt... what else?

- my scripture study included Ruth today. what cool women Naomi and Ruth were.

- unrelated to fitness challenge, seneca wore her new swim cap to the pool today. I took a pic with my phone, but need to get a better one. yellow swimsuit with tutu fluff, royal blue cap with white hearts on it and bright pink arm floaties. man, she was cute stuff. thanks, tess!!

- denten is on his way home from supai right now with grandma and grandpa. should be a super fun few days!!

seneca's birthday party!

we didn't have any fun at all.

click on the pic and choose slideshow.

it really is a bummer more people don't love this little girl!

saturday swimming

beckham went off the diving board today about 50-11 times. that's a lot. I watched kids jump off the board for the better part of an hour, after we had already been swimming for a while. it took seneca a while to warm up the idea, but once she did, she was unstoppable as well. cooper had already gotten out and dried off, but couldn't resist jumping back in after dad started doing cannonballs. one could have gotten dizzy watching them jump, paddle to the side step, climb out and do it again. over and over and over. I finally left them to see what I could round up for dinner knowing I'd have hungry little ones on my hands when they were done. we've been swimming every day this week, giving a short lesson to the two little ones and having coop practice his swim team stuff, but saturday swimming with dad is different, and always a good time!

progress is occurring. counter tops are being cleared, I can see a little more floor, furniture pieces are moving into their proper places. painting is done. servicemen are scheduled to come the rest of the week.


I was thinking today about my goal for the year of being more organized. this moving adventure was supposed to help that, and it will eventually, but when I was smack dab in the middle, order was hard to find. I spent time today on the tasks that help me feel that things are running a little more smoothly. Tasks that help me know exactly where my money is and how much of it still exists. Tasks that help me know what is scheduled and what still needs to be done. I feel much calmer when there is order.


Seneca painted again today. In the garage. the floor, the play car and the tricycle seat. the painters get a kick out of her, calling her the "little painter." they all sought her out to say good-bye before they left today.


I way overestimated what I could accomplish this morning. Went back to the old house to pick up a few last things and run some errands and completely ran out of time. had to be back to get coop to his first day of the new school. oh well, we did what we could and the rest will get done sometime. cooper likes his new preschool, or "club" as they call it. he's so anxious to meet friends, I hope this does it for him.


I'm still sleep deprived. I can tell especially when I'm driving and it's all I can do to keep my eyes focused. But this is feeling a little more comfortable and I think seneca finally is getting the fact that this is our new home.

two years old

first, she came in crying and rubbing her eyes. ok, crying is an understatement. freaking out is more like it. I went to see what the culprit was and found an entire bottle of dried red pepper emptied on the patio. she had rubbed her fingers in it and then touched her eyes. yeah, that was fun.

then, after pulling beckham away from the painter's lunch (they kept giving him french fries) I took him inside and rounded the corner to find seneca painting my wood floor using the paint and brush intended for my trim. I held firmly to two two-year-olds while hustling back outside to let my dear painters know that I had a major disaster. they laughed and cleaned it right up. whew.

I'm pretty sure the people working in my house think I'm in way over my head with these children... I can't keep track of them! Thankfully, I believe two are asleep. pray with me that it lasts a while.

our potty adventures

It should be obvious by the title of this post that it involves adventures in the bathroom. If you are not ok with that, please move ahead with your computer tasks.

Seneca has had the hang of big girl underwear for over a month now and yet, it seems she still thinks she needs treats after going. She'll be playing and ask for a treat. I will say no and after thinking for a minute, she'll head for the bathroom. After doing her business she'll ask, "mom, can I have a potty treat?" shoot. She's smart. I try to tell her that we don't get treats every time we go, but for a while there, she did. Major bummer when the treats start fading out.

Sometimes when I emerge from the bathroom Seneca will ask me, "mom, you go potty?" Indeed I did. "good job, mommy!" thank you. "mommy, your panties dry?" yes, seneca. "I'm so proud of you mommy, you keep your panties dry!!" Seeing as my love language is words of affirmation, she's so good for my self-esteem.

Beckham has eased off enough in this process that he doesn't always have to be physically present when she does her business in the bathroom, but he still considers himself the official flusher. He'll let her do her thing, let me help with my part and then we are excused while he takes care of the flushing. He takes his job very seriously.

I must say, life with only one in diapers is significantly different than two. More so than I anticipated. Piece of cake, really. Although, I'll be happy as can be when Beckham decides he's ready for his turn on the potty. And, I'll also be very happy to start all over again with newborn diapers when the time comes. Join me in prayer that it happens sooner rather than later, will you? We've got the folks at Navajo Family Services on the job. They helped find me a winner last time, I'm sure they'll do it again.

this girl of mine.

Seneca has been wearing big girl panties for three days. There have only been two accidents in the last two days, it's awesome! When she needs to go, her eyes get big, she gasps and says, "oh! I better go in the potty!" yes, you better! and then we run. it's pretty fun, actually, to see how excited she gets about it. most of the time Beckham is right there too, racing to the potty and cheering because when she gets potty treats, he does too! I'm completely grateful that this is proving to be an easy process and that she's proud of herself. Actually, she tells me that she's proud of me... "mom, I so proud of you a going potty!" thank you, senny. I must say that there is nothing more darling that her little buns racing for the bathroom in little dora underwear.

Family Home Evening tonight consisted of teaching that everyone is a Child of God. We looked at a few pictures of children and talked about how they were each children of God. Then we looked at the kids' pictures on the wall. Is Cooper a child of God, yes! Is Seneca a child of God? yes! and Beckham is too. And mommy and daddy. That one was harder... adults can be children of God as well. Tonight when singing Seneca's set before bed, I asked Seneca if daddy was a child of God. her response? "no, Daddy's an Ironman!!" It was hilarious. He has trained her well!




this is a cropped image of Senny during a family photo shoot. you don't have to use very much imagination to determine how the rest of the photos turned out! a mind of her own, for sure!

moisturizing?

Butt paste is great for the skin regardless of which cheeks it is applied, to... yes??

a snapshot of seneca.

background part 1:
seneca went to bed at 7:00 as usual. we read, we prayed, we sang, she hugged and tickled her brother, she said good-night and I lub you. she said, "no monsters here, no spiders here, it's fine, mommy?" yes, it's fine. she is a creature of habit, probably of my own making. she knows the routine. part of the routine includes staying her her bed after she's been tucked in. she's having a little trouble with this part. if she gets out, she gets put back in her crib (which I lazily haven't taken down yet), it's such a bummer.

background part 2:
seneca and beckham are tag-team extraordinaire. I remember when people had sympathy for me having two babies close in age, but not exactly twins. I remember thinking that the baby part was easy... wait until they're both toddlers. we've arrived. they scheme together and when one chooses to be mischievous, then there's no question about whether the other will follow. just today I found them both hiding under the kitchen table eating peanut m&ms as fast as they could before they got caught. later they were both in the flour bucket making a beautiful mess just after bathtime. they have discovered that they are able to undress themselves and think it's hilarious to take off their pants and run around in their diapers. I tell them several times a day, "go find your pants. put on your pants. we need to keep our pants on. you're welcome to eat in my kitchen if you have pants on."

tonight:
denten gets home about 8:00. he takes cooper up to brush teeth and get in bed. he finds seneca peeking out of her door. with no pants on. with no diaper on. with her jammie shirt and her sunday shoes on. smiling hugely, "hi, daddy!" she's something else, I tell ya.

recording.

I want to remember:

Cooper is learning Christmas songs. The latest version:
"You better watch out, you better not cry. You better not pout, I'm telling you why.. Cooper is coming to town!" I laughed and asked him if he was bringing me a present. He quickly went and hid my slippers in his shirt and brought them to me, singing again. We are doing Christmas for a secret someone and all we really know about him is that he is a dad. Cooper's input on a gift included new tools, a bike, a watch or a new car. He's also brainstorming what he's going to give Seneca and Beckham for Christmas. The discussion is ongoing and changes hourly.

Seneca has been waking up at night and when she does, she requests that we go sit in the rocking chair together. I have had mixed feelings about it because I'm not going to let her think that we're taking a field trip every time she wakes up, but I love that she'll just sit and cuddle with me. Sometimes she'll request a song, sometimes she wants to pray again, but mostly we just sit and rock and man, I love her. She is a verbal little girl, call her on the phone and you'll see. She'll give you the run-down on just about anything. I think she's beautiful and I wonder if I would think that if she were not my own daughter. You know how parents always think their own kids are always cute? I'm grateful that despite the fact that she didn't grow in me, it is nothing but natural for me to love her as if she did.

Beckham is trying so hard to be big. He does his very best to keep up with his older siblings in every aspect. He and Seneca are quite the team, communicating flawlessly with each other. Most of the time I understand what they are saying to each other, but even when I don't, they get it completely. When I'm driving, Bex will try very hard to dictate which direction I go each time I approach an intersection. If I happen to go a different direction than the one his little finger is pointing to and his "iss way, mom!" well then, look out. He can throw an impressive fit when not getting his way. Sometimes I wonder where I would end up if I really went the way he wanted every time. He's the best eater in the house and can pack it away. He screams loudly and he gives awesome kisses. He has big brown flirty eyes that make you work for his affection and I'm a sucker. And he's still competing for best cheeks ever.

Gratitude month may be over, but it did its job. I'm noticing things throughout my days that I'm grateful for. even when these little ones drive me crazy, I'm grateful that I can enjoy being their mother.

Friday

1. a visit from kari ann. girls night out, reminders about what the important things are.

2. a completely quiet house with (almost) everyone asleep for two full hours.

3. peppermint joe joe's from trader joe's.

4. retracted.

5. lunch at the park with dad present. the fact that these people belong with me.

Grateful on Thanksgiving

1. I'm grateful for Denten. He's funny and smart and hot. He's faithful to me and to his Heavenly Father. He's consistent and a wonderful father.

2. I'm grateful for Cooper. He is hilarious and tender. He is smart and kind. He is a lot like me and therefore occasionally aggravating, but I'm sure glad Heavenly Father saw fit to send him to me.

3. I'm grateful for Seneca. She is beautiful and full of life. She is clever and happy. She is emotional and enthusiastic. She both makes me crazy and melts my heart. I thank Heaven every day for the fact that she found her way to our home.

4. I'm grateful for Beckham. He is charming and lovable. He is mellow and squishy. He is developing an opinion yet still often agreeable and easy-going. He is miracle number three and appreciated no less than the first.

5. I'm grateful for my Savior and the sacrifice he made so that I can have the experiences I'm having. I'm grateful for second chances with my children and for a future that will last into eternity. I'm grateful for the covenants I have made with my husband. I'm grateful for my life.

Ironman: the spectators

Our little ones were complete troopers. They were up early and not home until late and yet were very pleasant all through the day.

Grandma did hair while we watched the swim.



we ate breakfast on the go.



beckham waved and held out his hand trying to get a high-five. a kind gentleman finally humored him on the run course.



we occupied ourselves with paper airplanes, games and snacks.



we attempted a group shot... in attendance were wade's mom and dad, denten's mom, my mom (taking the photo), katelyn and tessa, lindsay, cooper, seneca, beckham and yours truely.



we got to know our little cousin tess all over again. mostly these two just loved each other.





cooper found friends at every pit stop. he ran and ran all day playing with other spectators. he did take a few short breaks to watch his dad fly by and ring the cow bell. beckham ate as much as anyone would give him. seneca snuck drinks that did not sit well in her stomach. grandmas watched children and cheered on our boys.



it was a huge blessing that denten's office building was about 20 paces from this photo spot. the little ones took a 2-hour nap. we had clean restrooms and access to a fridge. it was a blast, really.