Los Aldama

So, I was looking all around the house for Noelle today. Not many places to hide in this little apartment. "Where are you Noelle?" Clank, clank, clank, I hear noises coming from Corom's room. We live in a really old apartment where laundry hookups were afterthoughts. We have a tiny little 110 volt dryer in Corom's room. It is the size of a little stackable. "What are you doing?" I ask the little girl who had jammed herself into the dryer. She had taken all of the dryer sheets out of the box. "I am preparing groceries for Katie Couric!" (Of course) Such a typical response- she is such a funny kid. I have just committed myself to writing it down more often. We've finally hit a sunny day and a break from snow and we actually got outside to play. It's kind of deceiving how warm it looks from the window and how cold it actually is. Nonetheless, we had a wonderful time breathing in fresh air and playing under the sunlight! Dan even dropped the car off to trade it in for his bike to ride to campus! Love it!

I can't believe how much fun holidays are when your kids become old enough to start celebrating with you. It has been a week-long celebration in our home! We kicked the week off with a Valentine package from Nana and Papa- cute shirts for the kids. On Wednesday, we had a Valentines Day party with our preschool friends. (SUGARRR!, Valentines, lunch, art projects) We've been getting Valentines from neighbors all week! Yesterday we got another package in the mail from Grandma and Grandpa Shirley. (A movie and chocolate) (SO fun to get mail!) Last night we had a really fun Stake Valentines Day party at the church. (catered by Cafe Rio- yum!) We came home and exchanged gifts between our family, Valentines and flowers and had a yummy Hot chocolate and apple cider pasterie breakfast to celebrate this morning! It really has been a week-long celebration and so much fun for Noelle! (I think Daddy, who normally doesn't like Valentines Day even had fun!) So, Happy Valentines Day to all!

We've had quite a week. We started the week off with a really miserable Corom- rough nights and lots of fussing. We knew something wasn't right. I took him to the doctor to find the ear infections have returned- a double infection again. Noelle has also been sick with a cold. We have stayed in most of the week. It has been snowing- such a beautiful site, but results in alot of dreaming and discussions of summer time between Noelle and I. (You have to have something to dream about) I think the kids are starting to feel better. Corom has slept through the night 3 times in a row. (YAH, you heard that right) He has never slept through the night. He is 2 weeks from turning 1 and has finally gone down 3 nights in a row at 8:00 and slept until 7:00. (Fingers crossed it continues) I, on the other hand lay in my bed all night, waiting for him to wake up- a habit developed over the last year as a way of never getting too comfortable because he would wake up so much! Well, we are off to go run our Saturday errands. Dan is off studying for his 2 tests next week. Hope you all have a great weekend! I'll post pictures when I have a moment.

It has been the snowiest week.... I haven't taken the kids out all week. (Except for playdates around the court) I suppose this is why my little 3 year old has gone into ultra-creative mode. She has this abstract concept of California and hasn't stopped talking about it all week.

She knows this much:
1. That she used to live next door to her cousins and they live in California
2. That is where her birthday and Christmas were celebrated
3. There is a fantastic gym in California
4. Most of her family resides in California
5. California is a long drive up and over the mountains

Okay, doesn't it sound like a magical place???

Since we've been here in Utah, she has been strategizing about how to get back to this California place. It's truly all she talks about. (Especially the cousins part) She is always coming up with crazy ideas of what she and her cousins would play, what they would eat, what movies they would watch, you get the picture. She talks in great detail about what the family is "pwobably" doing at any given moment in California.
So, this morning she was trying really hard to get more than an, "Oh, Noelle that would be fun." or "I wish we could go to California." After talking about going to California through all of breakfast... "pwobablies", followed by "is that a good ideas?" she finally had the ultimate plan. No more waiting for mom and dad to drive her. "I pwobably will go to walmart and get the ladder to get the barbie car to drive over the mountains to go to Lucia and Marco's house...Is that an idea?" That's my little problem solver. The next statement out of her mouth was "Can we move to our old house so I can live next to my cousins?" I later found her climbing over an upside down laundry basket pushing her baby doll in the stroller. "What are you doing Noelle?" "I'm pushing my baby doll over the mountains to California!" (Of course- don't all 3 year olds long for life in another state?) Of course, she is "pwobably" as sick of snowed-in days as I am and missing her family as much as I am! Driving in a barbie big-wheels car to California does sound like a good idea right about now!

It has been a difficult few weeks. We have been feeling totally weighed down as Dan is knee-deep in a really heavy semester and the kids and I have been spending a lot of time indoors. (With it being winter and all) I have to admit, I have been going through an oh-poor-me phase. Today was one of those days inspired just for me. I think that it is a tool of the adversary to fill our minds with thoughts of discouragement and frustration. I know that when I get in that mood, it is just a downward spiral. I am impatient and grumpy. Well, today we had the opportunity to attend a sacrament meeting at the children's hospital. Dan was asked to speak. (He did an amazing job, by the way) So here I am sitting with my two healthy children surrounded by a room full of families with sick children. We arrived early and I don't think I was prepared for the emotions I would feel as the children were being wheeled into the room. I was struck with a feeling that Heavenly Father is very aware of each of us. Even in the midst of sickness, these families were coming to worship and gain strength in the message of Christ. The Spirit in the room was so strong. Though it sounds crazy, I had the strongest impression that Heavenly Father is mindful of my troubles, though not as big as these families. I also left there with a deep sense of gratitude for healthy children and joy that I am a mother. This was followed by a beautiful ward conference about becoming disciples of Jesus Christ. It was a lovely day. So I encourage anyone who might feel discouraged to stop and count your blessings. We truly have so much to be grateful for. No more down-in-the dumps me!

Well, I once again find myself distracted from the important tasks and on my blog. Sometimes its nice to just type away- it helps me feel connected to everyone. It is a Friday afternoon, a Friday that just feels kind of blahhh- you ever have days like that? I finally decided I'd feel better if I pulled myself together. I just keep looking at undone housework and thinking, "It will be there later," a thought so untypical for me. Corom has had a fever for the last 24 hours and to be honest, I am loving his snuggles. He is usually so active. I'm wondering if ear infections are back- we'll see! Even now I am plucking away one-handed at the key board while he is looking up at me with his, "What's wrong with me?" look. Noelle's highlights for the week have been a preschool fieldtrip to our local grocery store and a visit with great-grandma Strong (Shirley) yesterday. We decided to drop by for a visit. She loved all of grandma's pretty music boxes, vases, etc. I am finding a routine and my kids seem to be loving it. It just means more time at home, or being home for naps, meals, ect. It should be a quiet weekend. Dan is speaking in Sacrament meeting at the children's hospital on Sunday. They have a branch for the families of the patients. I am taking part in the ward conference- now in the stake primary presidency. Hope all is well!