Orton Family: March 2010

Thursday, March 25, 2010

Did you know?

Did you know that we have dance parties in our living room almost once a day?

Did you know that Brannon bikes 12 miles a day?

Did you know that Brannon's alarm is set for 5AM?

Did you know that Rio's smile melts my heart?

Did you know that every time Brannon gets home, Belize freaks out and hides under the table because she wants Brannon to find her and Rio runs for Dad's water-bottle.

Did you know that Belize reads Rio stories?

Did you know that my Uncle married my Grandma's sister and my Grandpa's sister? (not at the same time, polygamy has been illegal for quite a few years now. :)

Did you know that Brannon and I have the same calling in our church? Secretary.

Did you know that the first two months of our marriage were the worst?

Did you know I just reupholstered our ottoman?

Did you know that our first date was to a Mariners baseball game followed by a Genuwine concert (TERRIBLE) except we weren't on a date with eachother?

Did you know I didn't get my ears pierced until I was 18?

Did you know Belize has a dimple on her left cheek from running into the corner of our old condo?

Did you know that sometimes Rio disappears into his room and reads books to himself?

Did you know I hooked Brannon up with the first mormon girl he ever dated? (and it wasn't me).

Did you know that we belong to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints? (I'd be surprised if someone didn't know- haha).

Did you know that Brannon, Rio and Belize have birthmarks?

Did you know Brannon and I have a love fern that has died several times but never fails to return?

Did you know that my kids love baths and showers?

Did you know that Brannon plays the saxophone?

Did you know that I'm not a fan of Disney princesses but Belize loves them?

Did you know that one time at a medical school party Brannon introduced me as his girlfriend to be funny (I was quite large and pregnant at the time) and months later when he referenced his wife, a fellow med student said, "You got married? Congratulations!"

Did you know that Belize will not wear pants or shorts?

Did you know that Rio says yeah instead of yes?

Did you know that my mom is selfless and amazing?

Did you know I love my family? - I thought so.

Sunday, March 21, 2010

Belize

Dance

Why?

Dresses

A-pop (Ariel's sister)

No buttons

Books

Salmon

Disneyland

Treats

Rio

Garbage Truck

Water bottle

Broccoli

Belize

Dogs

Snuggle

Naked

Milk

More Milk

25 lbs 12 oz

32 inches?

Not alone

"Alone." This topic comes up frequently in my head. People ask if I'm lonely. Heck, I ask myself if I'm lonely. Brannon's schedule has been uh well, busy. The reality is that we don't get to see him that much (he just had his first day off in 2 weeks). But the truth is that the majority of the time I FEEL like we get to see him a lot. We still manage to go on dates, watch Burn Notice and Chuck on hulu, and talk with each other at night. The kids have great relationships with him and it feels as if he is an intricate part of their lives.

I also know that this sense of quality comes solely through Brannon's efforts to BE here for us when it counts. No joke, they call him Mr. Fantastic at work. I've never witnessed anyone work so hard to get home- he is a machine. It makes me feel so good that A) he WANTS to be with us and B) I never NEED to worry (although I won't lie- I do anyways). He is constantly reassuring me that "we can do this" and I believe him and I feel comforted.

Tonight we stopped by Brannon's work (he's on call) to bring a plate of cookies. Luckily he had a break in the action and we got to go inside and say hi to all the people he works with (its nice to put faces to names). When we got to the floor, Brannon had to leave us by the elevators while he checked in w/ someone and there was a woman sobbing on the floor next to the elevator. Brannon came back and we moved to a conference room. Brannon explained (to me) that her husband had been shot in the chest and it didn't look good. We probably stayed 5 minutes and then headed back to the elevator where the woman was now wailing, "I can't do this alone." He didn't make it, she had an 11 month old baby.

I think its natural to wonder what would happen if you lost your sweetheart. While I worked at Childrens' Hospital Hem/Onc clinic, I was friends with many families who'd lost a loved one. I had and still have mini panic attacks quite often actually thinking about if it were me.

But however terribly I would miss that person, I will never be alone. I am never alone and for that I am grateful.

Wednesday, March 17, 2010

The event of the year!

Richelle's photographer sent me a link to download the wedding pictures. I had fun editing them for funsies. Here are a FEW (okay, a lot) of my favorites.

Belize loved being Richelle's flower girl- mostly because of her twirly dress that Nana made for her and her flower girl shoes, which she picked out herself.

The breakdown: Sarah, Belize, Kyle, Darren, Richelle, Paul (Dad), Debbie (Mom), Shauna (Me) and Rio (Brannon was in his surgical intern year and couldn't make it, he was there in spirit!)
The Sistas!!

Rio is such a gansta! This is about the only picture of him because he was super interested in the hallways that evening.

Daddy/daughter dance.
The couple snuck away without telling anyone- how rude!

Tuesday, March 09, 2010

Dreams are made of rocketships

It had been a long day (typical), Bro was post call and I needed some kind of goal to get me to the end of the afternoon (then on to my next goal of bedtime), so I packed a picnic and as soon as the clock hit 5:00 (which is when Brannon selected could be the earliest we wake him up) the kids bounced him awake and we hurried off to the car before it could get dark.

Somehow ALL day I had failed to notice that it was raining. Not raining- POURING!

So we did what all people do when they get rained out of a picnic, we put a blanket in the back of the car, put on Shakira and ate our picnic- I think it was the best picnic I've ever attended (up there with Brannon and I's 5 month anniversary of dating when we had chinese in Lincoln park and a ghetto suburban drove through the meadow). Sometimes it just takes stuffing yourselves in the trunk of your car to get you to enjoy your own family.

Then we got out of the car and got soaking wet splashing in puddles and going down wet slides at the Rocketship park.

Also last week Belize had dance class. We got there and she had a complete meltdown (maybe you THINK you've seen Belize meltdown but I assure you, you haven't witnessed a complete one). I will save you from the details but 20 minutes later I wrangled the kids into the car and we drove home. Finally, I asked, "Why didn't you want to go to dance, Belize?" She replied, "I didn't want to see my teacher in that sweater. It wasn't pretty. I don't want her to wear it next time." I offered up a lame, "Maybe she's just cold." (PLEASE PLEASE dance teacher don't wear that sweater, I can't do a repeat!!!)

Yesterday, I decided I was a brave mom and amidst a very emotional morning (Belize cause she just is that way lately and Rio because he HATES when I get ready for things), I gathered my courage and took the kids to Disneyland . . . by MYSELF!!

Funny thing was, it was great! I still think it was a freak accident that both of my kids were happy the whole time but it was fun to spend that time with them and MAYBE I'll do it again . . . sometime. Just in case you were wondering, as soon as we pulled into our parking spot at home, the kids picked up right where they left off on their emotional rollercoaster (we've GOT to stop going on that ride!!)

And just so I have some kind of pictures with this post, these are from the last time we went to Disneyland (with Brannon).

Belize was very not sure what to think of the evil queen, I think she was scared because we had just watched Snow White. Belize brought her dress-up dress with her but wouldn't put it on so she carried it on very ride with her.

Monday, March 01, 2010

Part of my heart.

Sometimes I get dance sick. Like the feeling of home sickness but like a knot in my stomach that then spreads to a full body ache. I feel the wave of nausea flood over me ever few months or so, it usually happens after watching dance television show, talking with or thinking about someone on Pacific Ballroom Dance, watching dancing kids on youtube (one of Belize's favorite things to do) or just watching the pure joy on Belize's face as she dances around our living room. I won't lie, I cry when I watch people dance, there are not a lot of things more beautiful and when I think about dancing, I mean, me- dancing, I feel sick to my stomach. I've come to accept that dancing is part of how I feel happiness, the height of my outward expression- I miss it. But do you know what? Every time I take a moment to enjoy my children, watch their beautiful faces, feel their soft skin, kiss their little cheeks. I am blown away by how much Heavenly Father loves me and how much I love them and how I wouldn't trade them for anything- even a perfectly executed samba roll (and let me tell ya, those are pretty delicious like creamy cheesecake).

My Grandma Gregg gave me a wood sign to hang on my wall, it reads, "Life isn't about waiting for the storm to pass . . . . it's learning to dance in the rain." So I guess I'm learning a new dance, the dance of life- full of twists and turns, solos, duets and group numbers, balance, beauty, and grace.