Yay! I'm tagged...

I actually think I've been tagged before, but usually too lazy to do it.  This one is pretty short.

3Joys:

-Conference issues of the Ensign (me and conference are BFF)

-My marriage

-Life

3Fears:

-Having fears

-Not doing the things that really scare me

-I'll think of something later I'm sure....

3 Current Goals:

-Getting my fabric design portfolio ready by the end of Oct!!!

-Mastering 4 open American Smooth routines (Foxtrot, Waltz, Tango Viennese Waltz) to compete again soon in a more challenging category.

-Upping my photography skills.

3 Current Obsessions:

-Patricia Ahn (Rose always introduces me to the best music--so inspiring!)

-Food Allergy Detective Work!

-Adobe Illustrator and Photoshop

3 Random Facts about myself:

-I like to draw on tracing paper.

-My most used kitchen utensil is the vegetable peeler.

-When I'm running I like to leap if nobody is around....although, I leaped while running on the beach and there were a bunch of onlookers.  I didn't notice them until all of the heads turned. I reenacted it later for Lindsay to capture my embarrassing moment for posterity.

I tag everyone who reads this!  And when you post it leave a comment so we can read yours, too.

Dada Juice!

I hope everyone is having a great labor day weekend!  Chickie and Edie were at it again.   This time at a swimming pool.  They were definitely having the time of their lives!
They jumped off the diving board together every time.  It looks dangerous, and it was.  Chickie got her leg scraped up in the end.  But they thoroughly enjoyed themselves first.
Bentley also had the time of his life with his swimming partner.  When we left he kept saying, "Dada Juice!"  again and again.   I said, "Did you have fun in the juice with Dad?"  Bentley said, "yah!".  He refers to all liquids as juice.  That made us all giggle quite a bit on the way home.
I swam a little, but it was a little chilly.  Labor day weekend always seems like the end of summer.  Yay!  Good bye summer, hello white trench coat, long runs in the cool air, crunch crunching of leaves underfoot.  I can't wait to see you Autumn.

a bit of nothing

Rain! Glorious rain! How we have missed you!  Puddle jumping is the best!  Especially when you lay down and roll around in it!  Well, I didn't.  But Bentley sure did.
So I've done a pretty good job of restraining myself from talking too much about my allergy detective work.  I realize it's insanely boring. My mom and I call each other and share the fascinating stories of what we've eaten in the past few days and what reactions we did or didn't have.  All I'm saying is these precious lunch time bowls of potatoes are my only hope of keeping any meat on my bones!  I will report these findings:  I'm allergic to corn (sob-corn is my favorite food in the whole wide world, and popcorn is my very favorite treat), dairy, yeast, and chocolate. Yup, chocolate.  It's not as bad as the others though, it only makes my taste buds swell if I eat a lot of it.  But for the good news:  My hands feel great!  You know how they say ignorance is bliss?  It's so so true. I would think about regretting my detective work, but my hands are so happy I guess I won't complain just yet.

her first couture creation

Actually, that's not entirely true.  I remember specifically the paper dress Olivia made for her seahorse.  Yes, now that I think of it she has made several couture creations from paper.  If that falls under the couture category.
And she has stitched a few things before.  One or two stitches at a time.
But this was her first Barbie dress. That is momentous, is it not?  I remember sewing a lot of barbie clothes when I was little.  And I couldn't figure out how to make pants so I would just make two legs with a long top!  I know, right?
Chris and I were discussing how Chickie is my mini-me.  She is super creative/artsy/craftsy, she is waaay too sensitive for her own good, a little on the messy side.  And just to clarify (because let's face it it's a sensitive issue at our house)  my house is very organized and clean.  BUT I like to make a mess, it's fun.  Actually, she is a lot different than me, too.  She is obsessed with stuffed animals, and she is an avid dress wearer.  She asked me once why I don't wear dresses more often.  We went on to have a funny conversation about me wearing fancy ball gowns.  Coincidentally, that night I was prancing around the house in a ballroom dress and she woke up.  I went to check on her and she flipped out.  She must have been thinking, "It feels like I'm awake, but I have to be dreaming if mom is so sparkly."  

Today I'm thankful for a really fun time at jazz class, my new teacher is super fun!

Heather, Heather, Heather

Chickie went to a birthday party yesterday.  She had the best time ever!
Our buddy Addison turned 7!  I seriously can't believe he is that old.  I have been friends with his mom since before either of us were married.  And when Chickie was born we started switching out babysitting.  For a couple of years Addison and I had a standing Fri night date night since Chris worked Friday nights. We usually watched Toy Story, from what I remember.   
Here is Addison's mom Heather.  Let me introduce you if you haven't met.  Heather's favorite sandwich is a turkey sub, and her favorite place to get one is at Lenny's Sub Shop.
The best word I can use to describe her is cool.  She just is. She's laid back and daring at the same time.  Is that possible?  We were out with the kids one day and we saw this vine hanging down.  She was the first one to test it out!  Turns out it was strong enough for all of us to take a swing, just not all at once.  

So let me finish telling you about the party (even though I wasn't actually there)...
I think the grown ups may have had a more fun than the kids.  Chris caught Ryan cheating when he was racing Sophia.  There's no denying it now Ryan, what do you have to say for yourself!?
Heather took her races just as seriously.  Nothing got in her way, not even breaking her foot!
Yeah, that's right.  Does this look like the face of someone in serious pain?  

I had to stay home with sick Bentley, so I called her later to find out all of the details.  She was laughing hysterically when she told me that it was fractured and she has to wear a temporary cast that goes up to her knee.  First thing monday morning she has to make an appointment to get a real cast.  

That's why I love you Heather!  Actually that's not even half of it.  Hope you can work out the whole pushing the gas pedals with the crutches thing!  I'll take you to the mall parking lot if you need to practice first.

I'm grateful for my friend Heather.

breath

Yesterday mid-afternoon Bentley got a fever.  He seemed perfectly happy to keep playing and so I wasn't too concerned.  Later that night, I heard a very faint whimpering type noise, I thought it was Olivia waking up as she often does.  At first I ignored it and when the noise continued I went to check on her.  Turns out it was Bentley in his bed having a seizure.  I have never felt panic or fear to that extent before. I wasn't completely sure if it was a seizure at that point. I thought he might be choking.  I called 911 and as I was giving my address and an update on Bentley's condition he started to cry.  I was so relieved because I knew then that he could breathe.  It's really a miracle that I had enough brain capacity to make calls to get people over to watch Olivia (a neighbor for the immediate time, and grandparents for the long haul).  We only live 5 minutes from the hospital, which is why I chose to drive. I parked semi-illegally and ran in holding him, tears streaming down my face.  I was holding it together enough to not be frantic, to do what had to be done.  When they asked me his name and birth date, those were seriously the hardest questions I have ever been asked.  I said his first and middle name followed by the birth month and year.  It took me until he was calmed down and doctors and nurses working on him until I was able to think of the actual birth date.  Turns out he had a febrile seizure.  It is caused by a sudden spike in temperature.   He is perfectly fine today. No fever, nothing.  I have never even heard that this is something that could happen.  And he does have a greater chance of having them again if he gets sick, but other than that they pose no threat.  From what I can understand, only children under 5 get these types of seizures.  
When we got home from the ER this huge praying mantis was on the outside of the house.  When grandpa and grandma Larsen left he came on in.  I was taking pictures of him and he looked over directly at me and did his prayer pose.  I took it as a good omen.  This little guy came to pray for us.  I slept on the floor in Bentley's room.  As I was making a huge pile of blankets for myself to sleep on I realized that everyone of those blankets had been hand made by family members that love us.  I felt that love wrapped all around me as I lay there and listened to the most beautiful sound, that of my son breathing.  Of course I couldn't sleep.  Just lay there and listen.  
I feel complete and total gratitude for my children and their precious lives.  I put a big pillow down on the floor before I knelt to pray this afternoon after we returned from the doctor.  I knew I would be down there for a while.

a week of Bentley

This week Bentley learned how to make tortillas.  He was a natural.
Here he is enjoying the fruits of his labour!  He's looking pretty satisfied with himself.
Bentley tried keeping up with the olympics but just watching the olympians wore him out!

While Chickie and I may have "cleaning issues"  according to Chris, Bentley has managed to become the cleanest almost 2 year old in the history of time!  What baby--please tell me he's not already a toddler--picks up after himself? Books go in the bookcase, cars go in a basket, dogs go in a different basket, and apparently he is done playing blocks in the living room!  He's a genius, right?
It's been a good week.  I'm off to bed for some Sunday evening reading! And that knitted blanket is the best blanket ever!  Thanks Aunt Jan!

joy

Today is the best!

breakthrough

Isn't this little plant the poster child for breakthroughs?  I had a couple myself over the past couple of days.  That's right.   Breakthroughs, not breakdowns! yay!   Well, I did almost have a breakdown over my allergy detective work.  I managed for 5 1/2 whole days on the fruit, veggie, and a little meat diet.  In the mean time my eczema completely cleared up.  And I was completely miserable.  I got several, "Are you OK?"s.  I pretended like I was but I wasn't fooling anyone.   On the fifth day I decided I would rather have food in all it's glory than be eczema  free, but at the same time I was still wanting to pinpoint the culprit.  To make a long, very boring story short. I didn't make it through the sixth day.  I was feeling light headed by the end of the day.  I guess I'm just too active to eat like that.  Logically, it doesn't make that much sense to me because I had quadrupled the normal quantity of foods that I eat.  I wasn't satisfied, but I didn't expect to become dizzy.  I did dance for an hour and a half with Chris and I had my first night of a jazz class that night.  Anyway, at least I know it is a food allergy.  There is always acupuncture.
That brings me to my second breakthrough.  Chris told me that I had one in my dancing!  And he also said that he is getting really excited about my progress.  That is such a huge deal to me.  Maybe it shouldn't be, but he tells it like it is when it comes to dance, and he has very high standards.  So for him to say that is---well, it's a first.  Just as a back ground Chris and I had the best summer ever swing dancing together, we started dating that summer.  It was magical.  Dancing, falling love.  Perfect.  Chris went on to become a well trained ballroom dancer, and I finished up my art degree and had our babies.  I miss the time when we were equally yoked in the dancing department.  Playing catch up has been no fun at times.  Painful at times, wishing for the fun days of the past.  I've had to really suck up my pride and deal with it.  I'm so glad it's finally starting to feel worth it. Yay!   Slowly, but surely, kind of like the progress on my chairs.  When you look at what I started with, it's so difficult to see the possibility of beauty in pile of trash.  Now that some of the sanding is done, it's starting to seem more realistic.

 I'm not giving up...  just like that little plant.  Starting to see the sun!

I'm grateful for slowly but surely.  Progress. Breakthroughs. Hope!

this is the weekend

This is Olivia making a "tot" joke in the school cafe (as they call it).  TGIF!
This is the best kind of gardening...craft gardening!
  This is Leaf+tape+stick= instant growth!
This is Grandma Pierce's goat Carmen.
This is Olivia meeting Carmen, instant love, nibbling of dress and all that.  
This is Bentley wishing he was back on the farm with Carmen.  Instead he is at the airport.
 This is a very flat spot for Tennessee.  This is also Grandma Pierce's favorite airport.

This is Grandma Pierce.

This is Grandma and Grandpa Pierce aboard their favorite means of transportation.

This is bye bye.

Hope you all had a great weekend!

farewell processed foods! till we meet again...

We made our own apple juice today.
Ooh, I never quite realized what a beast our microwave is...at least we have a rockin' juicer.
Yum.  Doesn't that look pretty.
And last night, instead of my normal bowl of ice cream, I had steak for a snack.  WHY?  Well, I was really hungry after a day of only fruits and veggies.  WHY?  I'm hoping you all are sympathetic because this is the saddest story ever.   I have this horrible, no good, wakes me up at night painful, eczema on my hands.  True story.  And I only aquired it after giving birth.  At first it was restricted to the area under my wedding ring.  Now it's pretty much everywhere on my palms.  It's not completely repulsive, I don't think anyone really notices unless I point it out. And it does come and go. And more than see it I can feel it. BUT.  I am now trying trying to figure out if its some kind of food allergy, because the creams don't do jack.  So sad, I have to eat only fruits, veggies, and meat for the next little bit, and then introduce other foods one by one.  I kind of think it's yeast.  Which is sad.  But we'll see. Some places I've read say not to eat meat either.  Not that I usually eat much meat, but what is going to make me full?  Am I just supposed to chew until my mouth starts hurting?  And what about energy for running and dancing?  I'll have to check and see if I can eat some nuts.  That would be helpful.  Wish me luck with my investigating!

But seriously, I'm so thankful for all the beautiful, delicious fruits and veggies out there! YUM!  And for food in general (so yummy), and for our bodies being so smart to alert us of dangerous allergies by whatever means necessary!

breaking dawn

Anyone interested in discussing BD visit Book Blog for Girls.  Shauna set this up for us so we can talk about our favorite parts without spoiling it for those who haven't finished yet.  But I wouldn't go over there until you are done reading!

progress report

Remember these?  Well just a little update on my progress.  It took forever to take out all of the staples, nails, and etc.  But I actually found it rather relaxing, sort of like knitting, what with all the repetative action.  I also scraped off a ton of flaking paint. So now I think I have a whole lot of sanding to do.
I'm kind of wanting these for outside chairs.  I'm not sure if that is the best idea or not.  Still mulling over color ideas.  Black?  Or find a seat cushion fabric first and then pick based on that?  Yeah, that's probably my best bet.

joining the madness

After Chris and I got back from a fun dancing date night on Friday night I shanghaied the babysitter and took her to our local Breaking Dawn party!
There were several lines, we ended up in the line for people that hadn't pre-ordered the book.  We got there just before midnight, so we missed the trivia, dress up contest, and goody bags...
But I still ended up with the best prize of all! An awesome weekend reading! I LOVED it! And I was surprised again and again. What did you all think?

I called my mom on the way home. She was in a carload of people fresh from their own midnight party and someone was reading it aloud to everyone in the car! Too, funny!

You know what I keep thinking?  How insane it must be for Stephanie Meyer. To think that all over the country millions of people were lined up to buy something she wrote.  That has to be a little intense. I wonder how many sold that first night?  And the first day.  The coolest thing about it is that she dreamed it first, was a stay at home mom, a literature major who never had tried to write something of her own.  I love her story.