Do Your Best

First off I can't believe I have 8-year-olds. Surely I am too young. But alas, I am not.

The end of November was Christian and Tanner's first Cubscouting event. They were welcome into cubscouts at Pack Meeting with a song and the presentation of their neckerchiefs and slides. They were thrilled to be there.

I was talking with my mom about my future as a mom with cubscouts. I figure I only have 11 more years of Pack Meetings. 11 YEARS. Wow. I guess I should just chin up and like the cubscout motto declares, "Do Your Best!"


Disclaimer: I love Christan JUST AS MUCH as I love Tanner. . .but the silly kid is going through this serious posing stage when it comes to pictures and trust me when I say that they are too painful to post.

We Miss You!

So our company is gone and we are missing them fiercely. . . we are currently in that lull between the high you get when family is around and the taunting of normalcy around the corner. Mom and Dad it was such a treat to have you here! My folks spoiled us during their visit (I would go into details but my poor siblings got the shock of their life last week--though I can hardly see how they couldn't see it coming--when my mom disclosed that I, Stephanie Warner Bacon, am her favorite daughter. The details of our past week would only validate that I am my father's favorite as well.) We did all sorts of crazy, wild, and truly Alaskan things while they were here like going to WalMart, going to Cubscout Pack Meeting, going to WalMart, going to Sam's basketball game, going to WalMart, decorating the Christmas tree, going out on a limb and hitting the Fred Myer, playing cards, going to WalMart.

A few funnies. . . my parents could hardly keep their eyes open after 6:30 p.m. Thank goodness for the 14 2-liter bottles of Pepsi my dad bought at all those trips to WalMart or they may have not made it through dinner. My mom one morning decided to sweep out the garage and driveway while I was playing basketball (isn't she a Godsend?). Well, she was so chilled after that 15 minute adventure that she spent the rest of the day huddled in a heap of blankets and sitting next to the fire. I quickly calculated that those from the lower 48 have what my mom would refer to as "a weak constitution" when it comes to cold and all those hikes and outdoor adventures I had put on our to-do list would have to wait until a summer visit.

Well, we are hoping that there will be a summer visit. We are quite the crowd to visit with quiet, timid Hyrum (okay, so that is 100% sarcastic) and all the hussle and bussle that is part of the package deal with a house full of boys . . . but hopefully time will erase all the noise and obnoxiousness from their minds and they'll get the courage to come to the Last Frontier Again. Hey!!!!. . . we are getting that Super WalMart in Fall of 2008!! :)

Baby Blessing

Henry Warner was blessed on Sunday, December 2. It was a sweet little blessing. Eric mentioned that he would be tender, sensitive, and brilliant like his namesake Henry B. Erying. How could this little Angel of ours grow up and not be wonderful? Just look at him.

All in White

Baptized Boys

Christian and Tanner were so thrilled to be baptized on Saturday. All dressed in white we could hardly keep them bouncing off the walls (which is hardly the reverent behavior we were hoping for but secretly thrilled to see their enthusiasm). The baptismal service was short and simple and sweet. We felt blessed to have my parents there and several new Alaskan friends. What a great day!!!

Tagged

I was tagged a few weeks ago and after asking my dear friend Heather what in the world it meant, I think I've got it figured out. So here are Five Things about Me:

1. I like comfortable things. I like slippers, and crocs, and flannel sheets, and jeans that not only fit (sad tidbit, but the jeans that i fit into last week now don't fit me at all. . . why-o-why?) but ride just right on your hips--not to high, not too low. I like hot chocolate that is just the right temperature, fireplaces that scare away the chill. I like game nights with friends and laughing with my sisters . . . all of those are comfortable and wonderful to me. I like comfy recliners and soft lights. I like long, really long, hot showers, leaning against Eric, and holding my kids hands. Little comforts.

2. I Love Basketball. Who knew? The last time I really played basketball was on a Intramural Team at Ricks College. We were down right lousy. My ability to play then probably hadn't improved much since my embarrassing performance as a 9th grader. Nothing but woe and shame on the court during those days. I was terrible. Afraid to shoot, afraid to dribble, afraid to do almost anything but run up and down the court. I now play ball every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday and it is the highlight of my mornings. I shoot, I score, I rebound, I pass, I stuff, I dribble. . . Michael Jordan watch out (okay, so I don't jump much these days). I am one of the tallest on the court, and a friend invited someone new. . . not knowing my name and during a fast break I heard her yell to the others on her team, "Quick someone get on the Big Girl." It is a joke that has stuck. . . now I'm "Big Girl."

3. I love to eat sweets that chew: Chocolate Licorice, Gummy Strawberries, Dried Mango, Nibs, Snaps, Hot Tamales . . . the lists goes on and on . . . could all these treats be the reason for the new nic name?

4. I love musicals: Seven Brides for Seven Brothers, Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, Hello Dolly, Fiddler on the Roof, Newsies, High School Musical, Singing in the Rain, . . .

5. I adore people with a great sense of humor. President and Sister Hinckley are my heroes. Their wit and delivery are unmatched. They seem to always be on top of the game. Their humor is fun loving and kind. I also love the quiet/clever humor. Our Bishop here and my brother-in-law Bruce are a couple of people with that talent. . . they'll say something off the cuff, perhaps even under their breath, that if you are lucky to hear will make you laugh and smile for a long time. I love people who are optimistic, who love and share sunshine, who are enthusiastic. I get energy from these good people. . . whether it is from them in person, from their emails, from reading their blogs, from talking to them on the phone. . . and it motivates me to be a better me.

You Light Up My Life

Remember all that snow we received a few weeks ago? Gone. Gone. Gone. No sledding, skiing, or snowshoeing for us. Why? The Chinooks came.
Alaska Trivia: Common term up here is chinook. The term chinook generally refers to winds blowing over the Rockies. In this case, it’s the warm wind produced when a southerly wind comes over the Alaska Range. The air warms as it drops from the mountain tops and loses altitude.

So even though we are downhearted about our lack of snow activities, we were thrilled to realize that last weekend presented the perfect Christmas light hanging conditions. Eric, for the first time in our marriage, hung the Christmas lights on the house. I was so pleased that I had to document this for posterity. Didn't I mention that life here in AK is good--Christmas lights good!!

Our little cul-de-sac of neighbors all have lights on their houses. It is so fun to look out and see the lights and colors everywhere. We were joking with the Pittmans who live next door because we chose blue and white lights and they have red and white lights with stars on their house. We quickly discovered that we were the perfect patriot compliment to each other and were suggesting that we should display them during July. It suddently dawned on me. . . with 24 hour light no one would be able to enjoy our patriotic display. Oh well.

Quiet Moments

Sam loves to snuggle Warner. Ahhh. . . the quiet moments.

Howdy Pilgrim!

This Little Pilgrim put on the best re-enactment of the first Thanksgiving.

Nine

Today we celebrate NINE YEARS together. Has it really been that long? And at the same time, has it only been that long? It has been a great nine years and we've enjoyed growing together.

Happy Anniversary Love of My Life! And in the Spirit of NINE. ..

Nine reasons I love Eric:
1. He is genuine
2. He is kind
3. He is an amazing father to our children
4. He is faithful
5. He is loyal
6. He is brilliant
7. He is funny
8. He is mine
9. He is weird :)

Nine places we've been together:
1. Hawaii (thanks Bacons!)
2. Canada, Cardston Temple
3. River Rafted the Colorado (thanks Dad!)
4. Disneyland /San Diego (Sea World and such)
5. Grand Canyon, Phantom Ranch (twice)
6. Buckskin Gulch (twice!)
7. Lake Powell (every year except 2007)
8. St. George/Zions (Angels Landing, Narrows, Keyhole, Echo Canyon)
9. Alaska (does that count?)

Nine new things we accomplished/done/experienced in last nine years:
1. we've had 5 children
2. we've had three different homes (Joshua, Deer Crossing, Samalga)
3. we've had five cars (Ford Probe, Volkswagen Fox, Honda Odyssey, Geo Prizm, Honda Civic)
4. Eric's received his Masters and PhD (okay so I'm ahead of myself here. . . but he's close!)
5. we've fallen in love with Thai food.
6. we've participated in an Adventure Race
7. we've learned how to rock climb and mountain bike (scuba diving hopefully in the next 10)
8. we ran a 10K together. . . okay we started at the same time
9. we remodeled a house just enough to know that we never want to do it again

Nine Favorites:
1. Quick Meal: 5 dollar Little Ceasar's Pizza
2. Movie: Whatever Eric wants to watch and I usually just fall asleep
3. Time of Day: That quiet time just after the kids are down and we are together
4. Favorite do-together: Hiking
5. Favorite Daily Exercise: Eric-Bowflex, Steph-Bike or Basketball
6. Favorite Book we Read Together: Westing Game or Harry Potter VII
7. Favorite Instrument we Enjoy: Piano, but I love to play when Eric sings his rendition of Lord. I Will Follow Thee which he happens to be doing on Sunday
8. Favorite Season: Summer, especially here in AK because we can recreate and explore together all day and night.
9. Favorite Meal to Make Together: Flank Steak with Garlic Mashed Potatoes

Jeans! Real Jeans!

Today a miracle happened. Okay, not a miracle, but something pretty amazing. . . I GOT A PAIR OF MY JEANS (not maternity) TO ZIP UP AND BUTTON. Wow! It was down right incredible! Don't get me wrong, they are tight, i have that gorgeous mushroom effect going on rights now, and the button is about to pop off at any moment and go soaring across the room at a lethal speed. . . but I have hope.

Unfit-Mother Of The Month Award Goes To. . .

Do you ever have those moments where you seriously wonder about your competency as a mother?

Like when you hear your little one cry in the middle of the night and think to yourself, "Well he'll just have to cry it out and go back to sleep," only to discover in the morning that the poor little thing had thrown up? Or when a toddler mumbles something that you just smile or say no to, only to have the interpretation click a few hours later and you realize what an incredible thought or idea that you had earlier discredited as babbling. Or when you have your newborn cradled in your arms and take a corner too tight and bump his little head, or clip a finger tip while cutting their fingernails, or (need I go on?) . . .

Oh yeah, I'm just remembering when I sunburned poor little Hyrum when we was just days old. I'm sure time, fortunate for me, has erased several of the silly things I've done.

This is the latest in my long list of silly mothering moments. . . (see pictures below) H. Warner still has thrush. We were told to give him this Gentian Violet which is famous for being bright purple and staining anything it touches. . . directions: apply to his mouth and to his feeding source (me). I think I absurdly went overboard on my personal application and after just one feeding this is the result. We fondly call him our purple Ronald McDonald. . .

Snooze

My biggest and my littlest fellow taking a snooze together.

Alaskan Snow Attire (AZ style)

This is the second big snow storm we've had. The first one melted and we enjoyed an unseasonably warm and snow free Fall. . . until now!!! In the past 72 hours we've received probably a good foot of snow. The kids have LOVED, LOVED, LOVED playing in it and don't seem to mind tromping through it to get to school. The bigger boys (c,t, and s) have the essentials down: they can each gear up themselves and have even mastered the fine art of making hot chocolate (it helps that we have a hot water maker). . . so bring on the cold and the snow.

Please pay special attention to Sam's shoveling attire: a coat, shorts, and cowboy boots. (mind you. . . it is a balmy 30 degrees outside.)

Day-Bid

Friends in the picture: David holding Hyrum, Sam, and Sam's best friend Sarah (David's daughter) going down the slope on the side of our house. We've got the best yard for sledding.

Day-Bid (David) is Hryum's recently declared Best Friend. He's been asking lately if he can go and play at Day-Bids house, if he can call Day-Bid, and where is Day-bid. Whenever we are outside and David pulls up in his driveway he'll hop out of his car and yell, "HYRUM!" It makes his little day.

Relativism

Over the past week I've been corresponding with the Lactation Specialist at Alaska Regional Hospital. For some reason nursing had just not clicked with this little one. . . or perhaps it was the clicking that was the problem. Warner was born with a tight tied tongue and clicks when he eats whether nursing or bottle. I always thought that the clicking, which my other babies did occasionally, was cute until another mother in the mother's lounge said that perhaps it was because he was not latching on correctly. Suddenly I began to question if I had been doing things wrong all along.

So I came home and looked up a bunch of things online. Was it his tongue? Was it the latch? And why was I STILL SO sore. I decided to email Martha at ARH and ask. Long story short, on her advise we made an appointment with the Pediatrician where Warner got his tongue clipped and we discovered he had Thrush. All is well. Thanks to time and medicine are both doing so much better.

One thing I learned through all of this was the power of relativism. I called one of my sisters one day to ask questions about when she had some of the same nursing struggles. Hers were by FAR worse than mine. Later that day I wrote to the Lactation Consultant updating her on my condition and after briefly telling her about my sister said, "Perspective has a healing power all its own." And it does.

Super Sam, Terrific Tanner, and Creative Christian

Sam got a stellar report from Parent Teacher Conferences last week. His teacher, Mrs. Bailey, said that he is the best kindergarten boy she has this year. He is smart, and kind, and respectful, and stays on task. Go Sam! C&T did really well too. Tanner is the best Boy reader in his class--who knew we would come so far in these past couple of months--and does great in Art and P.E. Christian is in the top five readers in the class and is "super creative," "thoughtful," and "caring". I am so glad that all three of the boys are really enjoying and excelling in school. Maybe those academic scholarships are attainable after all. . .

Opposites Attract

Remember the post on how I have super senses? . . .

Last Tuesday night I went upstairs to get something before going to bed. I immediately smelled something "sour" and went investigating. I smelled the sink, the dining room, the counters, the stove (noticing to my delight that Eric had cleaned it while doing the dinner dishes). . . at some point I realized just how OCD I was acting and convinced myself to go to bed.

Well, the next morning the boys came into my bedroom to tell me that there was stinky smoke in the house. Immediately I knew that they were smelling what I had smelled last night. (A "Phew-I'm-Not-Crazy-After-All" Moment.) I went upstairs and was greeted by that same overwhelming sour smell only this time it was EVERYWHERE. While searching the house, the boys took refuge in the garage. . . the only non-stinky place they could find . . .

Can you guess what it was? Sure enough, a knob on the stove must have been bumped during the previous nights cleaning and natural gas had been pouring into the house for the past 12 hours (good thing the bedrooms are in the basement or we would have woken up feeling more than just groggy from lack of sleep).

It was a challenge to air out the house. The boys wanted breakfast burritos, and I being fearful of lighting anything in a house full of natural gas, convinced them to have cheerios instead. I opened up several of the windows and all of the doors. . . but Hyrum kept informing me that it was "freez'in outside" and shutting the doors for me.

During Eric's lunch break I called and ask if he had smelled anything earlier that morning. He replied that he hadn't smelt a thing. I laughed and said, "Well, it looks like we each have our own jobs .. . you earn the money and I'll keep the kids from blowing up." Seems fair to me.