Perspective

Our happiness in life has a lot to do with perspective, I believe. My Dad tried to drill this principle into my head from a young age. "Life is ten percent what happens to you and ninety percent how you respond to it," he'd quote. Well, our family has been sick this week, and from my perspective I would have to say that four sick kids plus one sick mom isn't the greatest combination...

I couldn't help but notice the contrast of having my older two kids stay home sick from school:

Child #1 spent one day at home and complained about being bored (or hungry, or thirsty) for the majority of the time. There was "nothing to do" even though I offered up what seemed like 20-some good suggestions. I love this child dearly so I don't want to be misunderstood, but let's just say that both of us were very happy when he was able to return to school the next day.

By contrast, child #2 spent two days sick at home. This one just naturally fills his time on his own with little instruction from me. A little reading, a lot of book making, a little playing in the toy room with little brother, back to a little reading, etc. He wasn't very happy when bedtime rolled around last night. I overheard him tell his dad the following, "But we just have the greatest house ever and it makes me want to keep playing!" Ha, ha. Talk about perspective!

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I've made the decision to retire this blog. When I started "pete pages" a couple years ago, I did it with the hopes that I would have something witty to share with a public (and often anonymous) audience. My perspective has changed, and I find that in reality I don't have many witty thoughts to share, and I've become more interested in keeping a personal history of sorts in a more private setting.

Feel free to ask for an invite to my private blog "sweet petes" if you are interested (and haven't already been invited). This has really been a great outlet for me; thanks for reading!

Beat the heat

Swimming has been a lifesaver this summer! I wanted to post a couple of photos that Rob's sister took last week (you can see lots more great photos on her blog).

Goggles ready, go:

And a sweet one of Livvy with her favorite things (Bunny and her fingers).

Independence

I'm starting to think that when you live in the Phoenix area, seasonal depression hits in July instead of December...

Church today resembled a ghost town. I had heard about how most people leave the state this month, but I did not realize that they weren't exaggerating! I haven't been in a congregation that small since my mission.

I spent much of my day reminding myself that it was a holiday. Holidays just don't seem the same when we live far away from family. No big BBQ or gathering with extended family for us today. I vowed that next year at this time we will be heading north to gather with family and friends, and to get away from this heat!

My mood started to swing when we sat down to dinner for our own informal 4th of July feast, featuring some summer favorites (BBQ chicken, cilantro rice, watermelon, tossed salad, and even s'mores for dessert...).

Even better, was the company. Always an entertaining (and awfully cute) crowd.
These little crazies know just how to help cure the summertime blues...

(photo and original necklace courtesy of Hewitt)

Mid-life musings, Part II

Back in December, I wrote a little ditty about aging. If you didn't catch Part I, you can read it here: http://petepages.blogspot.com/2009/12/mid-life-musings.html

So, six months later and it's all said and done. I am 35 years old.

It is sort of weird to reach the age that you once coined as "old." Obviously, I would never say, nor do I really think that 35 is old (or 40 or 50 or 60 even...). What is it about the number 35 for me though? It might have something to do with all of the paperwork I've filled out at various doctors' offices over the years, "Are you over 35? Check yes or no."

Maybe it's the fact that turning 35 happened to come at the exact stage of my life when the baby years are ending. I mean they really are. My "baby" has magically transformed from infant to toddler in a flash. She is currently mastering walking, first words (says the cutest "uh-oh" you can imagine), making her opinion known, and climbing like a monkey!

I love babies, and I have loved being a Baby Momma. But this stage can't, nor is it meant to last forever, no matter how many kids you think you can handle or are blessed with. The fact of the matter is, babies grow up to be kids, and I feel very blessed and completely content with our four (in case you were wondering).

A few months back, I decided to give myself a gift for my 35th birthday...a healthier and happier me. I set some strict goals for myself and even decided to go without dessert/sugar (no ice cream, cake etc.) for about three months. This actually made for a grouchier me for a few days, but it got easier. I've also started exercising 6 days a week (running three miles, three times a week, and doing weights and pilates the other days). Honestly, I've reached the point where I recognize that being active (and healthy) is a lifestyle choice that I want to continue. This process isn't something that happens overnight, or certainly all at once. I laugh at how hard it is some days to go one mile, but it's always worth it.

I set a lofty goal for myself that I thought was possible to reach by my birthday, and came within ONE pound (I was almost wishing for a touch of the flu to get me there- JUST KIDDING)! I celebrated the victory with my favorite cake and ice cream (couldn't even finish my bowl), and got back on the treadmill the next day.

So here's to 35! And to making healthier choices, to taking one day at a time, and feeling better than I did at 25.

A raw and somewhat fuzzy self-portrait that I just took (no make-up, no editing). I've decided to grow out my bangs again. Rob told me that he prefers this look, and I think I'm with him even if it means exposing a few more wrinkles on my forehead...

Really, Tosh?

We're fast approaching "birthday month" around here. Yes, three of our four kids celebrate birthdays in May. Well, I wouldn't need a calendar to know that Tosh's third birthday is just around the corner. I can tell that he is almost three because he is getting to be more of a challenge in many ways. "Terrible twos?" More like "terrible threes" I think. At least this is my experience as a mother of three boys.

In general, Tosh is climbing every pantry, every closet, every counter, and every you-name-it to get into things that he knows he shouldn't. Some of his recent discoveries and accomplishments just this week include:

Stacking up a bunch of pillows so he could climb on top of the counter in the master bathroom to get into the medicine cabinet (I don't really keep any medicine in there). He took my deodorant out and "drew" all over the leather furniture in our loft.

He also discovered an almost-new bottle of fingernail polish remover and dumped the entire contents on the carpet in the master bedroom.

He emptied the entire contents of a new bottle of saline nasal spray--spraying his brothers and the entire play room.

He colored on about 5 different walls upstairs, the tile floor, and granite counters...thank heaven for Magic Erasers!

He throws food, dumps drinks on purpose, loves "potty talk" (this is a new one), taking off his clothes, and making messes in general.

Really, Tosh? Give me a break already!

Wow, this post makes it look I am never around! The thing is that I am usually standing right next to him when these things happen, or just away for a couple of moments!

Just tonight at dinner he grabbed a white kitchen towel and dipped it into the ketchup on his plate (making a big mess of course).

Never before have I envied the superpowers of "Elastigirl" (the mom on the "Incredibles") as much as I have lately. Generally I can see these instances coming, but just can't get there in time to prevent the mess.

(Seriously moms out there, wouldn't these stretchy arms be so helpful?)


It was quiet for a few minutes this afternoon so I went to check on Tosh and found him like this on his brother's bed (I had to sneak away to grab my camera and sneak back in):


Even though this one can be a real handful at times, he is awfully sweet and such a funny and happy kid.

Poolside

Happy Easter!

We enjoyed a nice and quiet (if you can really ever call it quiet) Easter at home this year. We even got to watch "church on TV" since our worldwide General Conference was this weekend. Even though we didn't get dressed up in new Easter clothes, I still did what I attempt to do every year: Get a decent photo of the kids. It goes about the same every year...and you can see for yourself. Look familiar to anyone else?

Happy Easter!

Just because

I love this funny kid.

The exciting and the not so exciting

EXCITING: Army crawl races

NOT SO EXCITING:
BYU losing in the 2nd round of March Madness

Two years later

I started this blog two years ago this month! Wow; we've had LOTS of changes in the past two years. I'm so glad that I've got my blogs as a great way to remember the many challenges and successes we've faced along the way, and my feelings about them. I was recently thinking about one of the first posts that I wrote regarding "wheat" (please read if you haven't): http://petepages.blogspot.com/2008/04/pondering-wheat.html.

I thought that it should be mentioned that I recently signed up to go to the dry-pack cannery in April. See? I am making progress...sometimes it just takes a couple of years to get there.

For our seven month anniversary

We moved into our house seven months ago today. Not really a noteworthy fact on its own, but it has taken me until today to FINALLY get my laundry/utility room cleaned up and cleared out of the boxes, frames, etc. that I had stacked on the counters in there.

At the risk of sounding braggy (and I hate to sound braggy), I have to say that I LOVE our laundry room. It was really the kicker that made us want to buy this house. Rob and I walked through at least 40 homes, yet we kept talking about this fabulous room. It doesn't have the cabinets I would have picked, or the counter tops I would have picked. It certainly doesn't have the wallpaper I would have picked (I would not have picked wallpaper at all, although the little palm trees have grown on me...), but it is seriously our favorite and one of the best (and useful) rooms in our house!

And the good news is that the counters are finally BOX-FREE. Hooray for me! And hooray for Liv for taking a long afternoon nap today!

Looking in from the hallway:
From the door of our 2-car garage (those french doors open to a HUGE walk-in pantry):

From the door of our 1-car garage:

And finally, the tiny palm trees that might remind you of your
Grandma...or her house at least:

Posting to post

I really feel the desire to post something, but don't know what to say. Or maybe it's that I really have a lot to say, but don't have the time to post it all. Things are just busy and I keep waiting for life to slow down, but I'm afraid it's really just the beginning of the "busy" if that makes any sense. I'm moving from Mom of Young Children, to having kids that are a bit older and involved in multiple activities and am trying to manage it all. This "four kid" thing can feel like a lot some days... one day at a time, right?

Contributing to my busy, is the fact that the baby suddenly doesn't seem so baby-ish anymore. That is both sad and fun/exciting at the same time. She is napping less, getting teeth, babbling more, and has learned to get herself (almost) wherever she wants to go. She loves her new freedom!
So, I've finally set some personal goals for the year (now that we're almost done with February) and am feeling really good about my progress. I usually share my fitness goals with my husband (and everything else that's on my mind, poor guy), but I got the strange idea that if I kept these particular goals to myself, then that could work as a motivator of sorts. Does that sound odd? Probably. Is it working, YES! There must be some power in the secret.

Rob and I were asked to direct a "Play in a Day" for an upcoming youth conference. I feel so far removed from the "performing world" that I used to be part of, and wonder how I spent the first 22 years of my life seeking the spotlight, and why I really try to avoid it now. I just started going to ward choir again, and told the director (after she asked) that although I'm willing to do a solo, I'd rather let someone else do it (you know that there is always someone that wants the solo). I'm not deliberately trying to bury my talents or anything, but it just feels like a different life, or a different me or something. I really feel fulfilled keeping up with the little creations I gave birth to right now. I wonder if (when my kids are a little older and independent, or at least potty-trained!) I will have the desire to be on stage again someday. Only time will tell.

Update

My Dad ended up having a triple bypass.
Everything went very well and he is now recovering in the ICU.
Thanks for your thoughts and prayers!

Skinny jeans and white sneakers

with black socks? I must be married to an old man.

(Love you babe. Had to be documented.)

My get well card

I got a phone call from my mom yesterday. She called from the hospital to let me know that my dad will be having double bypass heart surgery this week. This was a bit of a shock! My parents have been in Houston serving an LDS mission since June, and they will be staying there for the surgery and plan to continue on their mission...

This is an old photo of me and my dad "tearing it up." For the record, my dad SMOKES me on the dance floor. I have never been able to keep up with him.

Dad,
My love and thoughts are with you (and Mom). I am praying for a speedy recovery and that you'll be back on the dance floor in no time.

I love you so much,
Tamsen

In one hour

In theory, you can do a lot in an hour. Sometimes an hour whizzes by. How many times have you thought, "Has it been an hour already?!" Other times it feels more like an eternity... My mind just recalled the fact that in less than one hour after pulling into the hospital parking lot to give birth to our second child, he was all swaddled up and sleeping peacefully in my arms.

I put Liv down for a nap this afternoon and had grand plans for what I wanted to accomplish in an hour. I had laundry to put away, bathrooms to clean, (not to mention two kids to entertain), etc., etc. I got an unexpected call from my folks and I launched into a familiar monologue about how there was too much to do, and how I was feeling overwhelmed by this, that, and the other. Tosh had been standing next to me (playing with our measuring tape) and a couple of minutes after he left the room, I heard a noise downstairs. It was one of those "uh-oh" noises so I ran down to see what had happened. I found that Tosh had broken his brother's magnifying glass and was gleefully examining some of the glass pieces in his hands! Thank heaven he was not hurt. I grabbed him and put him in the family room (we were both barefoot, of course). The glass had broken into just a few pieces and I was very careful to sweep and clean our tile to make sure I had gotten it all. Just as I finished, I grabbed an empty baby food jar to rinse out and I dropped it! Seriously? Unlike the magnifying glass, the jar shattered into tiny little pieces (still barefoot here), and so I spent the next however long cleaning this up while trying to keep my shadow (Tosh) out of the room.

As soon as I was finished I discovered that Tosh had grabbed my camera and was carrying it over to me saying, "I broke it!" Somehow he managed to jam the lens so it would not zoom or close. I set him at our bar and gave him some Play-Doh to play with so I could examine the camera. I wasn't really all that happy at this point, but was able to "fix" the lens although the back is all scratched up and I'm guessing he dropped it while he was taking photos because I found some evidence...

Relief swept over me that my camera still works, and then I looked up to find Tosh spreading tiny little pieces of green Play-Doh all over the kitchen floor and laughing (a devilish) "Wwwaaahaha" all the while. Okay, so maybe I didn't capture his laugh exactly right, but he was pretty happy with his naughty-ness. I spent the remainder of "My Hour" supervising a two-year-old in "time-out," and then we counted every little piece of Play-Doh that he was required to pick up. We counted 96 pieces (some of them hardly visible), in case you were wondering.

And that my friends, filled ONE hour of my day today.

In church on Sunday, a wise woman said that, "Feeling overwhelmed occurs when we don't believe we have the skills to handle a situation..." or something to that effect. I started the beginning of this particular hour by describing myself as "overwhelmed" to my parents. Although I finished the hour nowhere close to what I was hoping to accomplish, I did NOT feel as overwhelmed when I realized the following: I know how to sweep, I know how to push hard on a camera lens, I know how to set a timer, and I know how to count to 96.

The three brothers

Wearing their new souvenir t-shirts...

That's what they say, anyway

I noticed on Facebook today that several of my friends are posting photos of the "celebrity they have been told they look like." I had to stop and think about that one for a minute. So, instead of sharing this on Facebook (I rarely post anything on there), I chose this venue instead. I prefer a more intimate audience.

So there are two celebs that I have been told I look like (I think I actually mentioned this in a post a year or so ago). In my 20's I was often told that I look like Ashley Judd.

Once I hit my 30's I started getting told that I looked like Patricia Heaton. I have a brother-in-law that thinks I act a lot like Patricia's former character Debra on "Everybody Loves Raymond." I can see it a bit, except I don't call my husband names like she did...

This same brother-in-law thinks that Rob looks like Ray Allen! You heard me right. I think it's the arms (and b-ball skills) mostly.

Most people lately have told Rob that he looks like "the bad guy" (David Cross) from "Alvin and the Chipmunks."

What have you been told?

Home

at last!

My "spam" box

You know those people that have so many e-mail addresses you never really know which one to send to, so you end up sending your message to all three addresses? My husband is actually one of these people. I've noticed that he seems to only get about half of the family correspondence because everyone uses a different address for him and a lot of stuff gets sent to one of the old addresses.

I've been using the same e-mail account for about 8 years now (since I stopped working for an employer). I do however have a second account that I mainly use a backup (?) or as a "spam" box of sorts. I give out this address when I am required to provide an e-mail address for random things and don't want to use my main one.

I decided to check on Number Two the other day and was a little surprised that it contained about 925 unread messages. They were mostly ads from the same 8 or so companies, and it took a great deal of time to sift and delete (see what you have time for with hubby out of the country for 10 nights?). In this tedious process however, I came across something that took me by surprise--blog comments from my brother! He has been sending direct comments to my e-mail instead of posting them on my blog (or sending them to the account that I actually check!).

And to think that here I was under the impression that none of my siblings have ever commented on anything I have written... Not only were they comments, but clever and funny, sweet and appreciated. And since this brother requested that I have my posts sent directly to his e-mail account, then I know that he'll be reading this. So thanks (and sorry)! Love, Tam

Me and my brother (and proof that I still get picked on!)

From the mouth of Hewitt

I was trying to feed Liv this morning and she was too busy smiling and laughing at (ever-entertaining) Hewitt. I said something to Hewitt about how she was too distracted to eat and he said,

"Well, I guess she's a girl and just wants to talk!"

Such an innocent comment, and the best laugh I've had in a long time.