Red carpet rundown.

Jason is out of town, so I sat and watched the end of the Oscars tonight after putting the kiddies down.  I quite enjoyed it, although sometimes I look at all the money spent on everything there, and get a little queasy. But!  The gowns were lovely, and I guess rich people can throw themselves a big old party if they want to. Here were the highlights for me:  

First:  the musical presentation of Slumdog Millionaire and Wall-e songs.  It was incredible. I liked it as much as I did Radiohead's Grammy performance, which I liked A LOT.

Second:  Kate Winslet's father whistling to her.  (I shed a tear.)

Third:  Spying a moody Edward Cullen over the should of Oscar-nominee Mickey Rourke.  Look out, Mickey!  There is a brooding vampire behind you!!!!!

What did you do Tuesday night?

I saw Kathy Mattea in concert. I admit I got a little teary singing "Love at the Five and Dime" with her. And I loved listening to Rose harmonize with "18 Wheels and a Dozen Roses." And, did you know...

Kathy Mattea plays the tin whistle! 

My new hero!

P.S. Thanks for being my date, Heather!

Snow Hike

This is the second snow hike we've been on in about a week.  We have been out walking for almost 2 hours both times.  The boys are champion hikers.  


I love taking the boys out during the winter.  Everyone gets so tired of being cooped up inside, and there is something magical about seeing a once familiar place now covered in snow and ice.

The boys were so quiet as we walked around 3rd Dam.  Bennett spied a muskrat, which I never would have seen, gliding through the water.  We followed it for a long way.  We also saw these pretty ducks, which swam over to us, and slipped and slid up the ice walking towards us.  The boys were cracking up watching them slide around.
Finn fell asleep halfway into the adventure.
Owen is our temperature gauge.  We know it is truly cold if his jacket is zipped up and his hat is on.  It is a battle to even get him to wear a jacket at all, he is so hot-blooded.
The boys were highly interested in checking out some ice.  We found some safe ice on the shallow side of upper 3rd Dam, and the boys had a great time stepping through it, breaking it apart, and sending it out to sea...
We tried to be quiet so we wouldn't disturb this fly-fisher.
Everyone was getting cold and tired on the way back. A coooold wind picked up towards the end of our trip.  But the kids were all smiles as we reached the car and found snacks!!!  Tailgate party!
Mmmmm... His little cheeks were so cold, but he was so happy the whole time.
And to finish off a great day, our friend Audrey Seymour made us dinner, including this amazing bread...  Some crusty herb bread from her homeland:  France!

Hooray for friends and family on a bleak winter day!

Apparently I had a lot to say today.  I think this is my 4th post o' the day.  

I just wanted to fill in some of the details on Jason's recent calling to be the Bishop of the 9th ward, and some of the events surrounding that decision.

Let's start at the very beginning.  When we moved into our cute little house here, we thought it would be a great place to be for 3-5 years.  5 years MAX.  Well, it's been about 7 1/2 years now, and 4 kids later we are still here.  Did I mention this house really only has 2 official bedrooms?  We have had our bedroom in the formal dining room for a few years now.  It has a closet, so technically it can be considered a bedroom.  

Anyhow, anyone who knows me knows that I have been house-hunting for a couple of years now.  And I've been looking very seriously for the last year.  I really wanted to be in a more permanent house before Bennett started school.  When that didn't pan out, I wanted to be in a permanent house before Owen started school.  So imagine my delight when I found the most amazing house for sale, in our price range (sort of) in the neighborhood of my dreams, the Thrushwood-Sumac neighborhood down on the island.  I hate to even list the dreamy details of the place because it makes me a little (a lot) sad.   It was on a 1/2 acre wooded lot with terraced lawn, tarzan swing, forts already built, fabulous, incredible layout, TONS of space (6 bedrooms, 3 baths), and lovely pink draperies throughout.  :)   We were actually really excited because it has not been updated for many years, so we could really personalize it.  Jason and I are very particular, and didn't want anything that had been updated with chintzy cabinetry, ugly tile, etc.  So all in all, it was a complete dream.  Oooooohhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh, I'm so sad just thinking about it.

Why am I sad?  Because we made an offer on it (a very loooow offer) which they countered, at which point, we accepted the terms, signed all the papers, and were under contract to buy the home.  I was freaking out!  Of course no one in our neighborhood knew anything about this; we were nervous to tell anyone until it all worked out.  So we put our house on the market a couple of days later.  It went on the market on a Monday, and on TUESDAY, Jason received the call to be the new Bishop of the 9th Ward.

Picture my face in the Stake President's office as I am presented with the notion that I would have to say goodbye to my beautiful Thrushwood home and all hopes and dreams associated with it.  I covered my face, feeling a little out-of-body-ish.  I couldn't believe it.  But yet I could believe it.  And of course Jason would and could never say no to this calling.  I wouldn't have wanted him to.  Well, I mean, yes I would have, but not really and truly.  I had a weird plastic smile on as I told him and the Stake President that I would support Jason in this new endeavor. I felt so conflicted.  On one hand I was so proud of Jason for living in such a way that he would be considered worthy of this office.  Of course I will support him 100 %.  But there was a secret side of me wondering, "But what about my plans?  I had a good plan.  It's the perfect time to move.  The perfect house.  The perfect everything."

I felt like someone had punched me in the stomach when I walked into our leetle tiny house that night.  I didn't feel like talking.  All I could see were all the repairs and flaws our house has that I was ready to turn over to somebody else.  Somebody as motivated to give this house a little TLC as we were when we first moved in.  All I could see was our boys crammed in the rooms upstairs, and our king-sized bed filling up the dining room.  I thought about how we can't fit around the kitchen table anymore.  And the need for a new roof.

You might be thinking that then I had a sudden epiphany, and my entire attitude changed to joy and gratitude.  I wish I could say that it did, but no, alas, I cried for many days. I sobbed as I met with our realtor to sign the papers backing us out of the contract and taking our house off the market.  And I had all this guilt.  Guilt, guilt, guilt.  Guilt for not feeling grateful for all the many gifts that I do have.  Guilt that my sorrow was detracting from what should be a better experience for Jason.  Guilt all around.

So it has been a month and a half since this whole thing occurred.  I spoke in church today with Jason, and shared some of my experiences with our ward.  And I was able to be truthful in saying that I am gaining some perspective on this turn of events, and I do believe the Lord knows what really is best for us.  I know Jason will be blessed because of his willingness to serve and sacrifice.  I can't say the same for myself.  I was less willing, but I am trying every day to be more aware of the ways our lives have already been blessed and changed by this experience.  I don't understand it all right now.  I still hate being crammed in our house.  But I am looking at more creative solutions, and really attempting to have a better attitude.  I know this is an opportunity for Jason, and as I said, I am very proud of him.  Basically, I am trying to see the big picture, which I have never been that great at to begin with. But I am trying, and I know it will work out somehow.  How or when?  I don't know.

There you have it.  I don't know how Jason has come this far with a whiner like me.  I sure love him.

Finn and Jason rock out!

Meet the Wyeths

Note: If you don't want a little art history lesson today, just skip right through this post!

May I introduce you to 2 of my favorite artists? N.C. and Andrew Wyeth, a father and son of incredible talent. (By the way, there are other artists in the family as well, but these are my favorite.)

Andrew Wyeth passed away last month, on January 16, and I have been meaning to pay a little tribute to him since then. As is true of any artist, he had his critics, but I want to say that I love his work. I have loved it since the first time I saw "Christina's World" in high school. His paintings connect with people, and that makes him a success in my book. Thank you, Mr. Wyeth, for letting us see the world through your eyes.

To appreciate Andrew Wyeth, it is helpful to understand his background. His father was N.C. Wyeth, an amazing illustrator and artist. You would probably recognize many of his works. I want a whole bunch of them framed for my kids' rooms. His earlier illustrations were of western scenes, cowboys and Indians. He later illustrated lots of stories like Treasure Island and other literature. He did some non-illustrative work as well. Here is a sampling of his amazing skill:
Mowing, painted by N.C. Wyeth, 1907

The Giant, painted by N.C. Wyeth, 1923

Captain Bill Bones from Treasure Island, painted by N.C. Wyeth, 1911

I find it interesting and sad, too, that the elder Wyeth always wanted to have enough money to be able to paint what he wanted and not be tied down by illustration commissions. But he never really got the chance as he and his wife had more children, and money grew tight. His hard work illustrating allowed his talented children to pursue their own dreams as artists and scientists, however. I would like to think that as a father, he was able to find peace in providing those chances for his children, even if he was unsatisfied with his own artistic career.

Side note:  I think this is how a lot of fathers spend their lives.  Mine did.  And I know Jason struggles with this too.  Living the dream versus putting food on the table for your family.

Tragically, N.C. Wyeth was killed in 1945 along with his Grandson when their car stalled on the railroad tracks and was struck by a train. Isn't that a terrible story? Their death greatly affected the artwork of his son, Andrew. Here are some of Andrew's works (again, you will probably recognize some of these):
Christina's World, 1948
I can remember seeing this picture for the first time in High School art class. It had such a powerful effect on me. Isn't it striking? All his paintings are so moody and gorgeous; I can't get enough of them!
Wind From the Sea, 1948

Winter, 1946, 1946

Trodden Weed, 1951

Master Bedroom, 1965

There. You have now had your daily dose of culture.
Don't you feel better?

Valentiners

Some lovely Valentine's Day blooms from Jason:

I was a Valentine's Day slacker this year. Usually I decorate the house, make heart-shaped pancakes, have little gifts for all the kids... Not this year. I think I may have been burned out from all the birthday partying. But it was a fun day or 2 nonetheless.

One of my favorite things about Valentine's Day is the Valentine's Tea at Bennett's school. It's a long-standing tradition, and the kids absolutely love it. They dress up for the day and rotate through the library for a little snack and drink and a chance to show off their best manners. It's adorable. I got to help again this year.

The kids got new hats for the holday. Here are Jake and Bennett's:

Owen did NOT want his picture taken.

Jason did not disappoint. He is a very thoughtful gift-giver and romantic, so I am a lucky girl. This year he blindfolded me, drove me all around, and took me on a steep hike. I had no idea where we were, but when he took off my blindfold, we were high up on the bench at the mouth of Green Canyon, overlooking the lights of the valley. He then proceeded to light a candle, give me flowers and a card, and then took out his GUITAR, which he had hiked up the hill with us, and serenaded me with a song he had written just for me. I know. He's amazing, and he really makes other guys very mad for doing such things.

We then went to Black Pearl, a new sushi/ Chinese food place in town. It was so delicious. What a great night. Thanks to Kate for watching our kids (including a screaming Finn) all evening. We owe you, sister. I can't believe I didn't take any photos except this one. I was too swept up in the mood of it all, I guess. Not in blogger mode at all. But here is my dinner:
I don't know if you can read these Valentines, but they are awesome. Bennett just started making them on his own one night this week and made them for each one of his classmates. I was so impressed! These are some of my favorites: Tyrel, you are speedey! Austin your smooth. David your the man Dude! Geovanni your cool! Nick you rock! Holly your like a Holly wood star.

Friends from birth!

Here are two little angels, who just had their third birthdays! This is Jacob and Evelyn just hours old in the hospital. Now they run around together, laughing, playing, fighting...

Am I really posting this photo? Yes, I am. Aren't you glad, Julie? We look so hot in our nursing gowns.

Jakie is 3!

One thing is for sure... This kid has cracked us up for 3 years now. Oh wait, there was that several month crying spell that was less comical... But we still loved him through the tears. And now, he is our source of crazy comedy day and night. We had a great time celebrating with him. We had a party at Mom and Dad's, and an impromptu friend party at McDonald's playland today. He got some excellent presents, but probably his favorite was 2 big packs of Hubba Bubba gum from Jade. :)

Birthday boy with his brothers and cousins, Jack and Clara.

These 2 little cuties almost share a birthday! They were born about 8 hours apart. Evelyn was born on February 8th, and Jake arrived around 1 a.m. on February 9th.
Julie and I had hospital rooms next to each other!

Mmmm, he's so scrumptious.

Here we have the world's ugliest cake. It was such a mess. I covered it with powdered sugar to try to mask its ugliness. Then I cropped in so you can't really see it in all its glory. Jason dubbed it poop cake because of its resemblance of a cow-pie. However, it tasted much better than it looked. I got the vintage cake-toppers from a bakery here in town. They were apparently clearing out some oooooold merchandise; I thought it was very cool stuff. I bought a few kits which I will use for very special people's birthday cakes in the future. Look out! Poop cakes coming your way!

Hooray for Wall-E!

Jake and Clara at Grandma Katherine's house.

Mom's delicous Jell-O cake.

Happy birthday, big boy!

Ski Night at the Beav

We had the best time at Beaver Mountain last Monday night.  Lee, Mom and Dad joined our family for an evening of skiing, snowboarding, and taco soup.  I had never seen my dad ski before then, and he totally rocked.  I've seen Mom ski before a couple of times, and she is awesome too.  My boys were so completely proud of their grandparents. When Bennett told  me they had taken a run with Grandma and Grandpa, I asked if they were good skiers.  Bennett nodded and replied with wide, awe-struck eyes, "Oh, yeah."  Thank you for coming up, Mom and Dad, even though you were not super excited about it at first! (especially when the eeeeextra long skis you were used to were not available because they don't even make them that long anymore!) We had such a great time!  

Did I mention that I skied?  I did, and there were considerably fewer tears shed than on previous downhill winter sports attempts I have made on a snowboard.  I think I might have to give up the dream, and just be a skier.  It's okay.  I just want to be able to get down the mountain with my boys.  Bennett and I took the last run of the night together. We were the last people on the hill; the snowmobile sweep was riding right behind us!  It really was like a dream come true for me to be on the hill with my big boy.  Bennett was adorable.  He uses this kind of deep and manly voice when he's snowboarding.  Like a surfer dude or something. He's so super stoked about his new-found skills!  I'm so proud too.  Both he and Owen are doing awesome.