Seven Ordynas

We wish you a warm holiday season and thank you for being a part of our lives. Those of you close and far, we love you all. Merry Christmas!

Paul is turning 32 this week! We celebrated a little early with some neighbors because on his actual birthday he will be studying. His first final is today! Good Luck Paul. We love you!











I should give them some credit...there are lots of laughs in the tub!

Christmas cards are on everyone's mind. I decided I would make them if I could take a few cute pictures.
It started out as a great idea...
If that wasn't enough, I got them cleaned up and out of the bath. On the way to get their diapers they BOTH peed on the floor! I stood shocked at the sight and mumbled "I get the message". You just can't make them enjoy something they don't want to. It isn't about me. Haven't I learned that yet? Good thing I have these little rascals to remind me.

This is our tree. The picture doesn't do justice to Paul's lights. He strung over 3,000 lights on this tree our first Christmas married, now it is going on it's third Christmas. I was crossing my fingers thinking the lights won't work...but they did! With the lights on you really can't tell how top heavy the tree is but....without the lights the bottom looks so funny. I'm sure everyone can relate. If you were wondering how tall Davy is, this gives it away. I love these times, I know there will be a day when I will miss my top heavy tree.

We had a great Thanksgiving at the Blau's house. Lots of tasty food. We are so thankful for great friends, we didn't even feel homesick! On Thursday the weather turned crisp and chilly...winter is here! Thanks Blau's for hosting the social event of the season.

Just as David was recovering from a black eye, he got another one! This is two weeks of black eyes for him. On Saturday he had a bloody nose. We don't know if he fell or Eden pushed him, we were standing right there but were talking to each other. Eden tries to protect David, but it isn't in a gentle way. When David tries to pull down the oven bar she will say, "no Day Day don't touch" as she pushes him to the floor. It is hard to punish her when her intentions are good. I guess this is where the "soft" lessons come in handy. Anyway, I don't know if David is clumsy or unlucky...or maybe this is the fate of being the younger sibling.

I have no idea what happened to this week. I feel like a vacuum just sucked all the days away from the calendar.
This is what happens when it is silent and Eden is in the bathroom. The colors are incredible! Getting the mail is one of their favorite things. We went today to try and get their pictures in the leaves. I had high hopes of snapping some cute photos..well, that didn't happen. Typical...one crying, one smiling...what do you do? Oh well.

Remember on Sound of Music when Maria makes dresses from her curtains? Well, I became Maria for a day. I borrowed my neighbors sewing machine and made these two dresses for Eden yesterday. The black & white one is from a curtain my mom made for our window, when I got here it was too small. The blue poka dot dress is actually two bandannas. This was my very first attempt to making anything without my mom or grandma by my side to tell me exactly what to do. It is so fun to see someone wear something I made...and actually look cute.

It was three years ago this week that Paul and I had our first date. I'm not one to celebrate every little occasion when it comes to relationships. However, from the first date I knew he was the one! I knew he was different, I was so excited that I couldn't eat or sleep. All I could think about was when and how I was going to see him again. Can you believe only three years ago? This week I had two tender experiences.

1.On Sunday Eden put her head on my lap and I stroked her hair through the whole sacrament hymn. Eden is a loving child, but not one to stay still long enough to have you cuddle her. I remember as a girl how I loved it when my mom stroked my hair and here was I.

2. Last night we put the kids to bed and I went to a book group meeting, when I came home the kids were awake. Paul reported that they had both woke up and were crying for a while...so he decided to get them up. We all played together and did a bed routine again. As I closed the door to their room, I had a different feeling. A feeling that I am almost embrassed to say took 2 years to come. I felt a complete and utter satisfaction with my life. The first year of Eden's life thoughts of life without a child would creep in. I imagined Paul and I would be traveling several times a year, I would be a graduate student saving children in the welfare system and changing families lives...etc, etc. Now, my husband and children have my heart- there is nothing I want that does not involve them. The knowledge that they will be mine forever and ever is the only peace I get when I lay at night thinking of how fast they are growing up. By the way, I highly recommend the book: Tending Roses by Lisa Wingate. Last night one lady called the book "magical" and I agree.

You just never know...3 years ago

I have been tagged twice..by Summer http://www.thackerfam.com/ and Stacey Shaw http://staceyandallyn.blogspot.com/

Rules: Write 7 facts about yourself...silly, serious, random - you decide. List who tagged you and then who you will tag at the bottom. Leave a comment on their blogs and let them know you tagged them.

HERE WE GO...

I used to have warts on my knees. I was so self-conscience that I hated wearing shorts and if I had to I would cover them with my hand. I remember praying so feverently saying, “ Heavenly Father, I have faith that you can make these disappear” I would shut my eyes so tight…wishing with “faith” and then open my eyes fully expecting to see them gone. I was always disappointed…I had to have them freezed off.
The band (do we call them a band?) All-4-one was my first tape I ever purchased. I loved “ I swear”…super cheesy. I will admit whenever I hear it I blare the music and sing along.
In college I wore boys underwear. They were so comfy, I loved them.

I am so cheap. I will literally debate in Wal-Mart whether or not I should get a pair of socks that are $.99. I will convince myself to get them, then a few minutes later usually ditch them behind on some isle. Opps, I know I shouldn’t do that but with two kids…you just can’t go and put back everything.

Speaking of cheap…I always reuse cards. I will cut up, glue or stamp over cute cards people give me. Ok…on certain things I am not that cheap. This summer I bought a pair of red Borne flip-flops and love them.
I love to throw things away, the less clutter the better. This drives Paul crazy. The other day on the way back from the temple we stopped to get gas. I threw away the directions thinking we didn’t need them anymore. A few minutes later Paul asked for the directions and I pretended to look. He pulled over and starting looking for it in the car…I couldn’t pretend anymore and I said I threw it away! He handled it better than expected…we finally found our way home.

As a young girl I was very shy. You might have thought that sweet Cyndi was practical perfect...well, so did I. Secretly, I was so vain. I remember looking in the mirror saying things like, "you are so much prettier than your older sister Amber" or "you clean the bathroom way better than anyone in this house". Amber will confirm that I was a very obedient...and also self righteous child.

I tag Lisa B., Keli, Leah, Amber and now Kim Jonas because I want to see if she comes up with something better than my vanity...ha,ha!

We salvaged a BBQ a couple weeks ago that our neighbors had left for the trash man to pick up. Here if you don't want something, just put it outside by your trash and the rubbish man will pick it up. It is amazing...chairs, shelves, coolers, tables, leaves, branches (they don't even have to be packaged in a bag). Paul was very excited. After cleaning it up it works wonderfully. We have had hamburgers, grilled veggies and hot dogs multiple times already. Eden is just like her dad...LOVES MEAT. When we sit up to the table she saids, "I want meat". She will pick out the meat and eat it first. Paul and Eden are enjoying their delicious meat!

Pumpkin Patch

We had our Halloween dinner with fun spooky food. It was lots of fun with yummy food.



Ordyna's: we have a Black eyed P, world champ boxer, an egg and a horse of course
Alison & Charley: cat and superman
The Yamnik Pizza! Isn't this great? Marianne sewed the whole thing.

I have three very generous neighbors. If I find something on our doorstep, I must go through the list of these three families...it could be anyone of them. The other night we found these adorable pumpkins on our doorstep. "O" for Ordyna. "D" for David and "E" for Eden. After investigation I discovered it was my neighbor the the right! This neighbor has supplied clothing for David until he is 2! She keeps bringing over clothes that her little guys are outgrowing. If I am going to survive around these charitable neighbors, I better beef up my service! Thanks Allison!

This is so Grandma can see how big his four top teeth are.

This is my new favorite meal! The picture has stuffing on the bottom, but I use a potato. Let me tell you how easy: spray foil with Pam, thinly slice a potato, put chicken breast on top, top chicken with fresh broccoli, cheese and ranch dressing. Fold foil up, put on cook sheet and bake 400 degrees for 30 minutes. Individual meals ready to eat, no messes..you don't even dirty a plate because you can eat out of the foil. (beware of your chicken being too large with not enough ranch...it could get dry). Enjoy!

This is such a great meal you can make for your husband if you are not going to be home.

I was tagged last month by a friend, but didn't realize it until now...sorry Stacey Reed.


Where did you meet your husband?
At church, he came and sat by me. He was late, so there was just a nod.
What was the first thing you said to your husband?
He passed me a note...so actual words were not spoken. I wrote my name and wasn't that interested after that.
Where was your first date?
We went to luch at Chevys.

Where was your first kiss?
On a couch at the house I was living at, when we got married my super nice roommate let us have the couch. We had that couch until recently when we moved to Mississippi, I had to convince Paul to leave it behind. He wanted to keep it forever...silly. Acutally, the first time we kissed it was horrible. We pulled away, looked at each other, sat on opposite ends of the couch. I remember saying, "well, we can always be friends". Everything had gone so perfect, I think we thought that the kiss would have fire works...big disappointment. A few minutes later we kissed again, of course it was much better!

Did you have a long or short engagement?
Met and married in 5.5 months! Wow

How was the honeymoon?
Fabulous. We went to Seattle. It was a good mix of relaxation with fun things to do.

I love reading these stories. It's always fun thinking back and remembering how you fell in love with your hubby. I tag Lisa B., Amber, Heather B., Julie and Marianne(because I think she should start a blog).

Edible Eyes






(carrots, cream cheese, half olive)




Mummy Pizza





Witches Broom



(pretzels with fruit roll-ups cut and wrapped around)

Floating ghost ( hot cocoa)




Easy and fun Halloween treats for the family!

Blogs are sometimes known for "bragging" about how great your life is...well... today we are taking a dip in the vanity pool for showoffs!

Boy do we have great news! When we decided to go to law school, we were worried about how we were going to pay for everything. We have done everything we can to scrimp and save, but we have been unable to pay for school without taking out loans. Notwithstanding, we have been blessed by our Heavenly Father to have the necessities to maintain a happy family. Today, Heavenly Father blessed us yet again. At the beginning of the year, Paul applied for a scholarship through the National Center for Remote Sensing, Air and Space Law. He had to submit an application, resume, transcripts, letters of recommendation and a writing proposal on a subject that dealt with aerospace law. This afternoon Paul was informed through the law school that he has received a full tuition scholarship for next year based on his proposal. He submitted a proposal on legal difficulties presented by insuring commercial space activity. During his second year, Paul will work with The Journal of Space Law in writing a paper on the subject. Hooray for Paul.

Whose afraid of these little ants? We are!



On Saturday I was giving Paul a hair cut on our back patio. The kids were playing and David crawled over to the grass and placed his hand on it. Literally 15 seconds later he was crying and we ran over there. Paul started brushing the ants off, we quickly stripped his clothes and diaper off and hosed him down...just to make sure we got all the ants. Poor little guy.. This is a photo taken on Sunday, a day after the attack (I don't think it is too dramatic to say attack). He also has a few on his legs and hand. He hasn't seemed to be bothered by them.