Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas

To all our friends and family:

Merry Christmas and a

Happy New Year!

Two Kids, Three Cats...

We recently had the most wonderful photographer come to the house. She took all of these pictures... I was so pleased because I felt that she really captured the kids in such a natural setting. She was also very patient with my personal requests. If you ever need a photographer, I am offering my highest recommendation. Check out her stuff at http://www.jbroadhurstphotography.com/

Ready for winter

My little boy.

Feed the Cat

This is from my friend, Suzanne. We went on a humanitarian trip to Ukraine together. She is such a neat person...this clip is only one of the reasons we really understood each other.

P.S. The cat in this clip is Fritz. The only change I would make is that if he really gets upset he jumps up and turns on the bedroom lights. (seriously, no joke)

Stormy Weather

Apocalypse weather. You know the kind of day where the sun doesn't shine and the wind will blow, but then there is this eerie silence when it is so still outside that you can hear yourself breathing....well, that's today.

My friend, Denise, calls it tornado weather. I've never lived in the Midwest, but apparently the stillness is cause for alarm on days like today. The funny thing is that is feels far too cold for a big storm. I think that is why the day has had such a mysterious-ness to it. Oh, and I've had that Shaun Colvin song running through my head for TWO days..."Sunny came home with a mission"--Yeah, she came home to burn the place to the ground. Hum. Maybe I should up the dose on the old Lexapro (ha.ha.ha.)

Here's another weird thing. My dreams. I (as a general rule) do not dream. I lay down and crash. Jeff usually does all the psychotic dreaming that this family needs (ask him about falling out of bed). However, this past week I have been out of control. In fact, for the past two nights my dreams have been so vivid that I have been able to sit up in bed and wonder if they really happened. Two nights ago I seriously dreamed that Michael Scott (yes, Steve Carrell from The Office) came to the house to help me clean out the litter boxes. It was so real that I remember being seriously alarmed when I watched him start to use my good eyebrow tweezers to pick the "chunks" out of the litter box. He had a garbage bag slung over his shoulder like Santa Claus and he was cleaning them out piece by piece. The worst part was that I realized that the litter wasn't just contained in the box...it was strewn all over the basement in little tiny piles and Mr. Scott just kept commenting on how there was a lot of work to be done.

Okay, you can wipe your tears from laughter now because I woke up from my dream by laughing out loud. It was so hard to even have to explain to Jeff why I was laughing. Although, he didn't really laugh he just said, "Well, all it means is that you better get down to the basement and get the cat poopers cleaned up." So much for helping me to analyze THAT one.

Which reminds me that I never relayed this dream to Susie--I should have done that. I was just over at her house, but I wasn't thinking about my recent neurosis. Perhaps I should just leave it open to you (fellow readers). I'm sure that there are many of you who tune in weekly for your dose of Jim and Pam.

A 40-Hour Week

I'm really behind at work. uuggh. Is it possible to do 40-hours worth of work in the next two days, take care of the children, cook meals/clean house, exercise and still have a smile on my face??? Okay, is it possible to work 40-hours in the next two days? no. And if you have any questions about how my house cleaning is faring...well, check out this pile of laundry...

Yeah, there's a couch under there---and not only that, there are still about 5 loads that aren't even washed yet. I haven't been able to bring myself to start folding it because I know that I will be there for at least an hour. I can always seem to think of a million other things that I can do in an hours time. Oh, well, it's not like I've got a bunch of people coming over who will need a place to sit down. (how's that for justification?).

Earlier this week, Jeff sent me a NY Times article about international adoption and we also had some correspondence with Y Baby (who was in the same orphanage with Lachlan). I have to admit that I haven't thought about the reasons we adopted her for a very long time. After a lot of reflection, I'm surprised at how I simply accept the fact that she is our daughter. I really haven't had any time to think about her "past life". I've wondered often this week about what her birthmother looks like--I get so many comments about how Jack looks like me, and I wonder if she looks like her mother. Where are they? What are they doing? Do they think about her, or is their life simply a daily battle with survival? It very well could be...

The SLTribune had a week long series on the struggles of Chinese workers. The high cost of cheap products...something I used to teach about in my former life. How ironic that I shop on a weekly basis at Walmart and other discount stores--which, rarely showcase anything other than products made in developing countries--oh, there really is a cost for buying cheap. I hope that somewhere somehow Lachlan's parents have been able to make peace with their decisions. My heart would break if I thought that they are haunted by her...may there be some mercy for them. In the same regard, I pray for mercy on her future struggles. I hope that she will continue to be the resilient child we have come to know--that she will be able to put everything in the proper perspective.

I hope that as a mother I can do a good job of keeping her past and present in the proper perspective. It is so easy to just go through the motions of seeing that every one's physical needs are met. It is much more difficult to consider the emotional and mental aspects of life. Especially when Lachlan's are so specialized to a time and place of existence that I have never experienced on a personal level.

Hum, I'm not really sure where this one-sided conversation ends...maybe I'll have more to say after I fold all of the laundry.

The Hallow's Eve

Jack, the Red Hot Chili Pepper

Lachlan, a "bock, bock" (also known as a chicken).

Post Script

I wish I knew how to get this to post at the actual end of this post....

Erica, I got your message from Indianapolis...I warned you about the books. I'm so proud that you are still one of us. You can read them twice (you will anyway), but stay away from the chat rooms and message boards. No good can possibly come from that :) ha.ha.ha.

AND, this picture of Jack and Ernie trying to get the tub to work reminded me that the cats had their annual physical this week. All are doing well, Ernie weighed in at 13 pounds; Fritz @ 12 pounds; and Bruce a whopping 16 pounds. Dr. H remined me again of Bruce's severe weight problem (uuggh. It is very hard to stop a cat from eating everything in sight). I tried to explain that I didn't think it was a weight problem--that he was just big boned. Dr. H just gave me the eyebrow lift and recommended that all of the cats should have their teeth cleaned in February. I scheduled the appointment as a medical compromise. Besides, it is way better to pay to have someone else clean their teeth once a year, rather than trying to do it on your own. Even crazy people have to draw the line somewhere.

Oh, Sugar, you are my friend

My first batch...carmel, dark chocolate with toasted walnuts and toasted coconut. I had to put them on the back porch to cool them quickly because my chocolate was so smooth it didn't want to stick to the carmel (especially with the weight of the nuts and coconut).

I only used a few Rome apples. They were a little too tart for the carmel, white chocolate and cinnamon sugar. The Crispins were the overall favorite (and incidentally, also recommended by the food network). The best part is that we were able to get ours directly from the local Paradise orchard. The kids had a ball seeing the farm!

The white chocolate is very easy to work with because it is so thick and easily sticks to the carmel. Also, very, very, very tasty.

The dark chocolate creations were the favorites for all adults. Kids tended to like the super sweet chocolate laced with sugar. I loved the white chocolate apples, but I actually licked the stick of one of the dark chocolate vareties.

Just for the record, tomorrow I will be wearing my black stretch pants...and I won't even care.

Jack Gets A Tooth...

Jack proudly displays his new tooth.

Jack gets a tooth....and Mom gets tired, depressed and then very hungry for something sweet...and thus, begins the cycle of up five pounds, down five pounds, up five pounds, down five pounds.

In all seriousness, I was totally off of sugar last month. I cut out all hydrogenated oils, white flour, sugar (anything over 4 grams)--I even started training for my 10K next spring,(feeling so great!) BUT last week I took a huge nose dive when Jack started cutting these teeth (top, front two). He is normally such a wonderfully smiley, happy-go-lucky baby. And I have KNOWN that this is the one thing that is keeping me a sane individual--and I discovered that I was MORE than right. He screamed, and screamed, and wouldn't take his naps, or even sleep more than two hours in the night...and screamed the rest of the night for FOUR days.

It was so hard. People tell you that teething is rough. I absolutely had NO IDEA that it was going to be one of the definingly difficult things of my life. The worst is that there really isn't anything you can do for them. You just hold them and rock them and pray that they will go to sleep...and then you threaten to destroy (with fire) anyone who even breathes in their direction. I even tried to get him to sleep with us in our bed and he just was ballistic--aauuggh. It was a bad deal.

The other thing that I learned about myself is that when I get tired and overly frustrated I am so easily prone to get depressed. I think that it is mostly because these are things that I cannot control. And I LOVE to be in control (or at least think that I am). I couldn't even make myself get on the treadmill. I just wanted to sit around and be sad with Jack. The next thing I know, I'm having white bread toast with cinnamon sugar with a side of Trix (thank heavens, I hadn't opened up the bag of Cocoa Puffs!)

At any rate, Jack finally sprouted himself a beautiful tooth. I couldn't be more proud. He also returned to his normal, albeit fantastic disposition. I, however, took a bit longer to call off the pity party. I chowed my way through a variety of soda drinks, more white bread and pasta and real bacon while visiting Grandma Carver this weekend. I also learned (thank you to Aunt Pat) how to make these outstanding candy/carmel apples. (See posting above) I've always wanted to learn and I was just hungry enough for sweets to take on the challenge. They weren't difficult (to make or eat)- and 5 or 6 apples later I feel like I'm ready to get back on the wagon (tomorrow, of course). Not to mention, they look like I SLAVED away for hours in the kitchen--I gave many of them away to neighbors and friends and they were completely in awe.

Is this lame?

Okay, other blogger friends who have been "tagging" me...this is for you. As much as I enjoy reading your tags, I am a-feared that this is a wee bit lame.

And once you read this you will see that I am the lame-o.
Four things you never knew--and perhaps, never will...

What I was doing 5 years ago

• Finishing my master's degree at Utah State University
• Traveled through the Puget Sound, Northwestern Washington and Seattle with Jeff
• Moved twice in the same year
• Fritz and Ernst came to live with us
• Learned to Telemark/Alpine Ski--Jeff is a fabulous teacher! Goodbye snowboard forever.

Movies I can watch over and over

• Field of Dreams
• The Bourne Identity, Supremacy & Ultimatum
• In Her Shoes
• The Holiday
• The Lord of the Rings Series

Things I Will Never Wear Again

• Units...If you don't remember you can thank the sweet Lord.
• Neon colors
• Braces, Headgear & Retainers
• A size 6 and/or a B-cup. Okay, so it was the 8th grade when I wore this size...but still
• Gigantic hairbows made of lace, ribbons, balloons and/or pom-poms

Guilty Pleasures

• Dark Chocolate. Anything under 60% isn't worth my time. Oh, and throw a few espresso beans in there while you're at it.
• A whole tub of popcorn at the movie theater
• Grey's Anatomy with the girls on Thursday nights (I love you Carrie)
• Hiding in the bathroom with the door locked and the fan on (to fake out Jeff), while I finish the last few chapters of Eclipse...sooo, worth it.
• A two hour nap on a Sunday afternoon

Shows I Enjoy

• The Closer
• The Office
• The Biggest Loser
• Iron Chef/Diner, Drive-Ins & Dives/Ace of Cakes/Paula Deen
• Animal Planet/The Dog Whisperer

Secretly I Wish I Could

• Play the guitar
• Sing with the Mormon Tabernacle Choir or backup for Dolly Parton/Reba McEntire
• Hit a massively powerful tennis serve
• Run a full-service equestrian center...the arenas, stables, oh, it would be so fun...
• Read other people's thoughts

Favorite Foods

• Sushi...spicy tuna rolls. Anything with avocado, shrimp, crab, tuna and/or salmon
• Lemongrass chicken with noodles and Vietnamese spring rolls
• Korean BBQ (when Jeff makes it)
• Spinach stuffed ravioli with spicy marinara
• Good bread. Artisan stuff with Kalamata olives and/or sun-dried tomato tapenade.

Bad Habits

• Wicked temper
• Nail picker...they are jewels not tools.
• Swearing
• Impatient
• Grind my teeth (hum, can't you just get a fabulous visual of the mean old broad who is swearing, tapping her toe and grinding her teeth)

Songs I Know the Lyrics to

• 9-to-5 & Islands in the Stream: Dolly Parton
• Montana Skies: John Denver
• Fly Me to the Moon: Frank Sinatra
• Since you Been Gone: Kelly Clarkson
• American Pie: Don Henley

Random Trival Items You May Not Know

• I've been driving since I was 10 years old
• I really like big dogs. I would love to have a Great Dane someday. Of course, it will have to be after Jeff dies...I still get the SLC Rescue newsletter anyway, just in case.
• I would like to see John Edwards get the Democratic nomination, but I think that it is going to Hillary...and I'm going to vote for her. I'm praying that she will take Edwards as her Vice. I would rather DIE than vote for Mitt Romney.
• Every once in a while I just HAVE to have a McDonalds cheeseburger.
• I can't stand R&B music. I've tried...it just isn't in me.

Only Eat the White Snow

Yeah, this is Jack having his first taste of snow. This is near the top of Swan Flats. There was only about 6 inches of snow, but it was exciting to get a feel for the upcoming season.

A family shot...but not quite Christmas card material. :)

Some comfort from dad.

My new favorite picture. She does have pants on...but I'm surprised how well the camouflage really works! She was so proud of carrying that stick. When she walked by herself she looked a lot like Yoda. She even has the little wobble/hobble walk down perfectly.

Overlooking Beaver Mountain Ski Resort.

This remarkable contrast was breathtaking!

A dirt road in Card Canyon. I've only ever been cross-country skiing in this canyon. I had never seen it in the fall. I took some family pictures of the Miners...they are so neat, but I promised Susie that I wouldn't reveal them on the blog. Sorry.

Uh, Oh

Jack has a deep voice. It's very sexy for a baby. He says "uh, oh" when he drops something. It sounds like a 30-year-old man...ha.ha.ha. I took these pictures when he was being particularly quiet. I think that you could call it sneaky. And yes, this chair is attached to the bar...about 4 feet off the ground. I don't forget to buckle him in anymore...

Her first love...

Lachlan has an obsession...I know you wouldn't think that such a small person could have eyes for only ONE thing. Especially, for Shrek. Oh, my aching heart. I can't stand Shrek and what kills me is that I started the obsession...it all began with a happy meal (another thing I swore that my children would never have to be exposed to).

A Shrek doll was what was in her very first happy meal. Oh, and he was a spectacular figure--he said things like, "I'm an Ogre", "Oh, Boy"...and my favorite, "*Belch*" This plastic treasure became her first friend. Right up until the time I couldn't listen to his ogre voice anymore and I threw him away (secretly, of course). Those of you who know me well will understand that toys sometimes have to go on "a Grandpa Judd mission". Many times (well, all the time) they are never to return. Grandpa Judd used to say, "that dog (insert any animal or item you wish) had to go on a mission"--which meant that it had been convienently disposed of...now that I am older I find that I prefer it to my father's method of disposal "lead poisioning". I want you to know that I was a senior in high school before I really understood that we didn't have a lethal source of lead in our water or food source.

At any rate, despite the fact that Shrek is gone she has a remarkable ability to notice ANY other Shreks that may be throughout the world. Case in point: two nights ago she stumbled upon an open pantry door and went CRAZY-pointing and shouting at the cereal boxes. I told her that I we just ate dinner and she said, "No! GA, GA, GAAAHH" Jeff and I burst into laughter when we realized that she had yet again, discovered a beautiful portrait of Shrek on the Frosted Mini Wheats box.

The Second Snow

The Second Snow of the season...because I wasn't quick enough with the camera last weekend. I love this time of year because the weather is so fickle, but never too hot. Jeff and I took the kids and drove around the valley to capture these photos. They slept through the experience which actually made for a fantastic morning for us.
If you were to zoom in on this photo you would see Susie and Miner's house up against the mountain. I love taking the kids out there--the drive is so peaceful.

Sardine Canyon, looking down at the dry lake beds. One of the most beautiful places on earth.

The Furminator

As you will recall, a while back we had a serious issue with the cats. The resolution eventually involved an extensive Internet search for cat pheromones (love potion no. 9). While searching for ways to make the boys love each other again I ran across the "FURMINATOR". This amazing product claimed to keep your furniture and carpet hair free. Hey, I'm no idiot...fur free? No way. Nonetheless, upon further review...the positive reviews just kept pouring in for this comb.

So there I am at Petsmart on Thursday and there it is...with a 30-day money back guarantee. And it doesn't hurt that I look down at Lachlan and she has little bits of cat hair blowing off of her as she runs down the isles.

Friday morning I set the kids up with their toys, laid out a plastic cover and began to put the furminator to the test. An hour later, the kids were bawling, the cats had retreated to the basement to hide and I was left staring at the biggest ball of fur I have ever seen. In fact, I took these pictures because I didn't think that Jeff would believe me. I put Fritz next to the pile of fur to give you a better idea of how big it was (see picture)...Fritz is not a little kitty, and seriously even then, you can't give the furminator the justice it deserves. I will, however. mention that next time I will wear clothes that can be thrown away because I was covered. I mean COVERED in cat hair. I salvaged the pants, but threw away the t-shirt and socks.

Post Furminator thoughts:

1) Jeff's family despises all indoor pets. They will not understand these photos. They will probably never eat anything I bring to a pot luck dinner ever again.

2) I'm keeping the furminator. No need for the money back guarantee.

3) I wish that I would have had a digital scale. My inner scientist was dying to know how much it weighed.

4) We can only hope that this is just the beginning of a home without too much hair floating around with the dust and other wind-blown objects. And if it isn't...well, we're pretty used to the old way.

Charlie Says Your a Butcher...

I lost two good dermatologists this summer. One had a massive stroke and the other retired. The waiting list to see the "new" guy here in Logan...8 months (gasp). Excuse me, but in my family you have to have moles and cancerous lesions removed every couple of weeks! What's a fair-skinned girl to do?

Desperate times call for desperate measures...meaning I called a guy in Ogden. If you have ever been to downtown Ogden you will know why this is not a desirable health care destination. They had a check-in for the registration desk (on both floors). I was glad that I arrived early. They also wanted to see two forms of identification...supposedly there are some people who don't want to be identified by their dermatological markings. The good news is that once I got through the TSA security checkpoints, Dr. L was Johnny-On-the-Spot. He came rushing in through the door with his "nitrogen blowtorch" (seriously looked like a spot welder). He took one look at my back and said, "This must be the reason your here." I said, "Well, no, but I guess that you are going to cut that off anyway?" "Oh, yes," he replied. Okay, so now I will have another bullet hole scar in my back. He removed a few more spots and then finally asked why I was there? (okay, only 3.6 minutes had passed to this point). I mentioned that I had a bunch of growths (fine, they were warts...ugh) on my left index finger. I wanted them gone. period. Dr. L says, "The only way you can really give a good effort to remove them is to cut off the top layer of skin and burn the surrounding tissue. Then I will give you some venereal wart treatment (he kind of laughs) to use as a topical ointment."

"Wow, cut off the top layer of skin and burn the rest??? Won't that really hurt," I weakly respond. "Nope. Be fine," he says. "What is going to hurt is when I poke this needle into the end of your finger, you're really going to feel that."

Oh, boy. Oh, boy. Pain vs. vanity. Vanity wins. It hurt, but at least he did give me some warning when he said, "pretend that you are biting on a piece of leather." And that's when it occurred to me that Dr. L looked a lot like Sam Elliot (mustache and everything).

But the story doesn't end there, because I still had to go to Costco and Target before going home. And it wasn't until I was in the frozen foods section of the Target (about 45 minutes later) that the anesthetic began to wear off on my finger and I noticed that blood was still dripping out from the bandages. And it did hurt. It hurt like a son of a #%@. It bled for two days. Needless to say, Dr. L lied. I believe that he did it for the sake of time. He wanted me to bite down on that piece of leather and move on down the road.

Moral of the story: If your dermatologist looks like a cowboy, acts like a cowboy and cuts into you like a steer at branding time...well, you better pull your hat down tight my friend.

Today is the Day!

Jack woke up this morning and decided that today he is going to crawl FORWARD!

Look out world here he comes...

Lachlan Boogie-Woogie

Lachlan really likes music. Take it away...

A 2-year-old's Birthday Party

Lachlan did not want to blow out the candles.

She wanted to grab the hot flame between her fingers.
Enjoying a piece of cake. She also enjoyed wiping her hands on her cousin, Aidan.

Major frustration over too much tape...although, not the only tears shed that night.
Notice the wet sleeve: I had to practically bathe her to remove all of the frosting.

Trying out the musical instruments from mom and dad.

#1 Rule: There will be no thank-yous.

#2 Rule: I will scream "MINE" if anyone even tries to touch the presents.

#3 Rule: I will not blow out the candles, but I will try to grab a piece of hot wax.

#4 Rule: I will have a temper tantrum when you try to wipe the frosting from my hands.

#5 Rule: After opening a present I will immediately throw it to the side.

#6 Rule: I will embarass my mother and make her apologize for my behavior.

Yup, Lachlan had her birthday.

She will now tell you (when prompted) that she is "ewh".

We had a nice party, but next year I will serve hard liquor and narcotics.

Peek-A-Boo

Jack moved into Lachlan's crib. This is him checking it out...peeking at me through the bars.

My Happy Baby

Summer Favorites

Corn and Tomatoes

Jack and the Giant Peach

Yup, peaches. Last weekend I canned 36 quarts of peaches and another 6 quarts of peach pie filling. I also went completely insane and bottled 12 half-pints of zucchini relish. I should have tackled the peach jam while I was in the midst of the disaster, but I held off because I couldn't feel the lower half of my body after 6pm. I told myself that I would do the jam today, but as usual, the kids couldn't stand the thought of having to play by themselves...

I wish that I could just think of a really good recipe that needed 30 peaches just smashed up fresh...can you possibly eat that many smoothies for breakfast? It would be much easier than doing the jam, but I will regret it in the middle of winter when I am dying for a piece of fruit that doesn't taste like a cardboard box.

And here is where my wish for the "job fairy" comes in--about once a week (sometimes thrice) I lie down on my bed after the kids have gone to bed and I begin to wish so hard that I could just go to bed and when I wake up....poof...the bad job has been completed. Most nights I am wishing for the dishes. I loathe doing the dishes. Tonight, I am wishing for the peach jam fairy and if possible maybe she could throw in a couple loads of laundry while they are processing. Alas, probably won't happen. Guess I'll have to hold my breath and see if Jeff will take one for the team.

I also wanted to mention that I received the book, "Twilight" by Stephenie Meyer for my birthday. I have to admit that when I first got it I was VERY skeptical. I love to read, but generally do not read fiction--let alone a story about a girl who falls in love with a vampire!!?? Even worse--sci-fi--aauuggh! BUT, I am saying stop the presses...I LOVED IT. I loved it so much that I stayed up until midnight last night because I HAD to know how it ended. It absolutely killed me not to flip to the ending. I used up all my remaining willpower and it was worth it! In all seriousness, this book is in my top five. And I plan to re-read it--maybe this week. Erica, this is a must read for you. I already told Susie that I would read, "The Confessions of Charlottle Doyle" if she would read this one. Holy crap, can you believe it? The only thing I can say is that once you start you better be ready to pull in a couple of late nights because you won't be able to put it down...and you can take that to the bank!

P.S. I love you Edward Cullens. :)

Life in Fast Forward

It has been a few weeks since our last post. Just as a rewind, Lachlan has a new found affection for stickers. She found some monogrammed ones in the basement. This one she placed on top of her brother's head. The others made their way onto the cats, carpet, mirrors and the bottom of her shoes.

We have been to numerous parades and summer festivals. This is a picture at the Wellsville All-Horse Parade. The kids love horses and we heard that it was the 2nd largest horse parade in the state. We were thrilled with our front row seating and couldn't figure out why there weren't a ton of people...I mean, come on, it's a horse parade?! Well, there were exactly 15 horses, 8 mules, 2 miniature ponies and a couple of kids carrying pygmy goats. It lasted all of 13 minutes. Guess they want to leave you wanting more.

Lachlan and I attended our first mother/daughter activity at the church. She made this crown. Well, she licked all of the fake jewels and ate some of the puff paint. It was sooo cute on her. I'm glad I took this picture because shortly after she tore it up into a million pieces and started to whip Jack with the head strap.

This picture is for Jen and Carrie. We went out to dinner for my birthday. We had a long conversation about being honest with yourself and how sometimes you need to admit that life is (beep). Girls, you are such heroes to me. I love you. And I just want you to know that my children are in this picture, you probably just can't see them. Oh, and if anyone working for DFS is happening upon this blog--oops, sorry. They at least have been fed and they are well-cared for at least one day a week (when they go to Aunt Susie's house).

Okay, when I was a kid I distinctly remember happening upon a sheep that had tipped over in a large ditch. She got on her back and couldn't get up...and she died there. It was so sad and quite frankly, pathetic, in an animalistic sort of way. Well, last weekend I fell in a ditch at the Farmer's Market. I fell so hard that I couldn't get up and I had to lay there until Jeff could lift me into the car. I would like to say that it was just one of those things, but all I can think about is that I ate way too much at the IHOP (we went there for breakfast)... that's what I get for not being faithful to my POINTS!

It was my birthday. Jeff made me a wonderful cake. I decided to post this cute picture of Jack enjoying the birthday party. I pretty much look the same way when someone sets a cake in front of me--it just looks gross on a 32-year-old woman.

Last, but not least, I've started to go back to work one-day-a-week. Susie watches the kids. They love it. I'm not sure whether it's because they hang out with her and Sierra, or because they love to bury their faces in Pepper's fur. At any rate, by the time I pick them up they fall asleep in their car seats before we even back out of the driveway. I'm so lucky to have her. It is a huge relief to know that the kids are happy and being taken care of...

Oh, and Jack started to take his first steps while holding my hands tonight. I can't believe it. I remember the first time I held him up by his arms and tried to get him to move his legs. They just sort of drug-along like they were painted on...I seriously thought to myself, "they might not ever move!" Tonight he picked them up and walked along like he has been practicing for months. It literally took my breath away.