Love these kids

Surprising Annie

Tonight is the annual father and sons' camp out with our church. And Jacob is taking Cam and Matt. They are so excited they can hardly stand it. And I get to (happily, I am not a camper thankyouverymuch) stay home with Annie and Ben. Annie and I have been trying to plan a girls' night out, but with darling Ben, there were some limitations.

When I asked Annie what she really wanted to do, she told me she wanted to visit the American Girl store in the Boston area. We had just found out that there was one here and if you had seen the look in her eye when she asked--hopeful, but trying to be good about the answer I gave--you would have done everything you could to figure out how to make it work. We talked about how we could do it and I just couldn't see a way because she really wanted to go just the two of us and she never asks for that. I tried to think of every option I could, but couldn't come up with anyone who could tend Ben, so I told her we could definitely do it on a day her dad was available to tend.

But then this morning, her sweet dad told me that he was going to work from home. Because he could, but mostly so that I could check Annie out of school early and surprise her by taking her to the American Girl store before the boys left on their camping trip. I was giddy and anxious all day with the thought of how she would respond.

Finally, 2:00pm came and I went to the school and checked her out. She looked completely confused when she came to the office. I put my arm around her and on our way out the door, told her what we were doing. She just kept hugging me over and over. That child is so sweet.

The store was pretty amazing. We spent a good hour or so looking around at each and every doll, outfit and accessory. Annie has an American Girl doll that she was given years ago, as well as the American Girl horse that she asked for for her birthday and paid half of in order to get. But otherwise, we just haven't bought any clothes or accessories. She has three outfits that were given to her by others (so nice of them!), that aren't technically American Girl brand, but are just as cute. It was so fun to see how pleased Annie was just to look, she didn't once ask for anything. She knew we were just there to be together and see all of the darling stuff.

It was such a fun afternoon! We finished looking at everything, even got some tips (that worked great) from the girls who are paid to give your doll a hair makeover and started walking towards the exit. It was then that I told Annie the second surprise of the day. And her excitement was even greater than the first time. I think she must have thanked me and hugged me approximately 37 times. If I haven't mentioned it, that girl of mine is so sweet.

And by request of my mom, here is a photo of Annie, with her doll Annie, in their soccer outfits. Our Annie has had her eye on that outfit every time an American Girl catalog comes to our home. She can still hardly believe it is hers. It was just a great day for both of us.

I'm so grateful for sweet Annie. The taller one.

Tooth collection

Last night at dinner, corn was served. We had a couple of young visitors, whose mom needed a rest for the day. I assume the presence of others was what caused our kids to feel the need to do something strange, because they definitely are never strange otherwise.

Someone, I believe Annie, decided to pretend that the corn was a tooth. (C'mon, you know you did it as a little kid.) And soon everyone joined the club. And then this little exchange.

Annie: (holding up a piece of corn), "I'm going to add this tooth to my collection."

Cam: "You don't have a tooth collection!"

Annie: (without hesitation and without looking up), "Yes I do, it's in my mouth."

Oh my pictures

Another post with a photo or two (or twenty) included. My parents came to visit this past weekend and we had such a wonderful time! We love to have them here anytime, but are especially grateful they came because they have been serving a mission for our church and we have not seen them in almost two years. It was so great to have them! Although I am a little concerned for them because really, who doesn't look a day older after being on a mission for two years? In fact, who looks younger after two years? I know the answer in case you are wondering.

We had a wonderful four days with lots of time together, but I wanted to share some photos of our afternoon we spent on the Freedom Trail in Boston. It was a great day. I don't know how we have lived in the area for just under two years and haven't been on the trail, but we haven't. And it was nice to see it with my parents.

The beginning of much walking.

Cell phones during colonial times? I had no idea. Says the

hypocritical, sarcastic woman with the digital camera.

I love the old churches all over Boston.

And I have a weird obsession with old signs. I really love them and

so I take pictures of them. Aren't you just the luckiest ever?

You wouldn't think a cemetery would be that interesting, but you would be wrong.

Get it? Benjamin. Franklin. Oh my word, I slay myself.

Annie absolutely adores her grandma. All of the kids do, but Annie and my

mom relate a lot to each other and my mom always makes Annie feel very
loved and very special. It means so much to me because Annie spends
most all of her time with boys and so her time with great examples
of amazing women mean a lot to me. And to her.

"Where everybody knows your name"? I find that kind of hard to believe.

And if it is indeed true, I find that kind of creepy.

I love these two photos. Ben took a very quick liking to my parents, which is

unusual because as I've mentioned before, we live a pretty calm life, mostly with
our little family. So Ben doesn't open up to others very quickly or very well.
But apparently that is not the case with my parents. So, so sweet.

The pictures below are of my favorite part of the Freedom Trail.

This is the Holocaust Memorial and there are not words, at least for me,
to describe how touching it is. I was so grateful to see it and
so grateful my kids were able to see it.

There are six of these glass towers along a black granite path near the Freedom Trail.
Each of these 54' towers represent one of the major Nazi death camps. And on each

tower is etched one million numbers. Six million in all. The number that
represents those that were killed. It makes me emotional just typing it.

We are so blessed. I hope I always remember that.

I am so grateful to have had my parents here and hope they know that.
They did so much for us while they were here, and we are very thankful,
but mostly just seeing them was the best.

Thanks for coming Mom and Dad! We love you!

Missionaries and pie

Welcome! Lighter anyone?

Great news! The Shutterfly book I ordered the other day arrived. And just in time, as I couldn't wait to take a look at the finished product. It was kind of weird that the box it arrived in could fit about thirty of the books I ordered, but maybe Shutterfly is just being extra cautious these days and making sure to put plenty of padding around the precious cargo of their customers.

But oddly, this padding looks a whole lot like...multipurpose Bic lighters. Approximately 37 of them. Come again? Can somebody tell me what I am missing? A Shutterfly photo book on top, and 37 fire lighters below? I didn't realize Shutterfly was struggling so much that they have taken to selling hardware goods on the side. I called to extend my condolences, and apparently I was wrong. They have not started selling additional goods. Nor did they have any idea what I was talking about. They sounded even more confused then I was. And believe me, that was a feat.  

So very long story short, after multiple calls to both Shutterfly and UPS (and reassuring them that no, I was not inconvenienced or upset, just mighty confused and a nosy enough person that I had to get to the bottom of this--not to mention I was feeling badly for the person that had ordered almost $250 in lighters and didn't receive them), it was decided that the box with the lighters in it had been severely damaged, with no trace of where they had come from and where they were going. So I learned in those cases, UPS makes their best guess and combines orders if need be.

And that, my friends, is why I am the lucky recipient of many a blue and red Bic lighter wand. And if you have ever bought one of those, you know that they work for for an extended period of time--to say the least. So while both companies told me there was nothing they could do and that I needed to just keep the unusual book padding I received, if my calculations are correct, I could light candles on a daily basis and it would still take me at least twenty-five or thirty years to go through this supply.

Although, thinking outside the box (pun intended), I had the thought that when people come to visit, instead of putting a mint on their pillow, I could instead put a Bic multi-purpose lighter where their head rests.

Because really, what says "Welcome!" like a pyromaniac's tool of choice?

A visit to NYC (with a photo or two)

This past weekend, Jacob and I were able to go on a short trip to New York. By ourselves. Can you even imagine? Too amazing. And before I tell you about the wonderful time we had (and we did!), I have to say thank you from the deepest part of my heart to our friend, Lorri. Not only did she take the kids for Friday night and all day Saturday, but she acted like it wasn't a bit of trouble. In fact, she insisted on doing it and then acted like she enjoyed it. She is the kindest ever and we are so grateful to have such an amazing friend. The kids were in heaven the whole time we were gone. Now that is what you call a fantastic friend!

So, our trip. Friday at dinnertime, Jacob and I jumped in the car and took off for New York. Did you know that we live only three and a half hours away? Did you know I have never, ever been to New York City? Did you know when I am excited about something I ask a lot of questions? We got there quite late and checked into a pretty cool hotel. It was in an, uhmm, interesting part of town, but the hotel was quite fancy.

Jacob had some business in Queens early Saturday morning (valid work, like as in his job, I just realized that didn't sound so good), so he got up early and got that all finished up. While I slept. In a very dark room (oh hotel room curtains, how I love you) until quite late in the morning. Then I woke up and read in bed. Relaxing isn't a wonderful enough word. Jacob showed up not too long after and we decided that although we needed to head home in a couple of hours, we couldn't miss this opportunity to go downtown. So we did.

And now I will let the pictures speak for themselves. Of course I won't do that. I speak for pictures, for small children, for people who have every ability to speak for themselves, who are we kidding? But I'll try to keep my narrative to a minimum. Maybe. Probably not.

These are just some photos on our walk to the subway. I don't know
why I think stuff like this looks cool. I just do. So I take pictures.
And then share like others care about it as much as I do.

Getting to the subway. I have to admit I was a little nervous.
I'm a person that gets claustrophobic easily. And I'm not a big fan of germs.
Or sticky surfaces. So the subway was definitely the place for me.

But I'm now going to admit, I didn't mind it. At all. I guess I still think of myself
as a young girl that grew up in a small town. But I forget that I've lived away from
that small town for many, many years. And I've ridden my share of subways
and public transportation. Even just me and the kids. So I guess I'm saying it
wasn't bad at all. Especially because I happen to like watching people.
And New York is a good place for that hobby. To say the least.

Central Park was really cool. I like

It is crazy to think there is this beautiful, green, even quiet,
park in the middle of this huge, crazy city. Wild.

I take pictures of park benches. And put them on my blog. I need help.

Proof we didn't just steal these photos off of another blog.We were actually there, people.

Headed toward Times Square.

Okay, seriously, this place is crazy. Fun crazy, but still crazy. There are people everywhere.
And they aren't doing anything. (Well, they are walking and talking and taking pictures,
but you know what I mean.) They are just there, being a part of Times Square.
Which I guess I can't criticize, since I was too. But it was pretty weird to see.

And one more picture. Seriously, how cute is this couple we snatched a photo of?

I know.

So grateful for today

"Because She Is a Mother"

This is my favorite talk ever given on motherhood. I can still hear Elder Holland's voice as he delivered this talk--so filled with love and awe and reverence and encouragement. And when I read it, in my mind I can still hear the places his voice breaks. And I cry in those same places. Every single time.

It was more than two years after this talk was given that I became a mother for the first time. I thought it was a wonderful talk before I held my own baby. Now four babies and thirteen years later, I have only begun to realize how truly beautiful it is.