A Year in the Making

Judging by how much attention Ethan gets for his hair, then yes, blondes do have more fun.  When he was little it was white, and now it's just stayed super blonde.  People always comment and ask where he gets it and I just say with a straight face it's because he's an angel. 

As fun and cute as it is having his hair long, there's actually a legitimate reason we haven't cut it in a year.  And that reason is 'Crazy Hair Day'.

Last Year Ethan had long hair as well and cut it into a Mohawk and got so much attention he wanted to do the same thing this year.

I had crazy hair day on my calendar for weeks.  I was so excited to cut off all those locks.  But literally moments before we were going to shave his head Lila says that crazy hair day was canceled.  What?  I called some friends and sure enough it was.  Hence the long hair on his baptism day.  After all this time he wasn't about to cut it before crazy hair day.

So as we're getting ready for school this morning my sister calls and says that TODAY is crazy hair day.  Say What?   I was chaperoning Ethan's class on Monday to Legoland.  I was sick yesterday, and I guess my kids didn't get the memo because we ran around like chickens with our heads cut off this morning shaving heads (Ethan's cousin Nathan's as well) making Mohawks high with hair spary, running to Walmart to get said hair spray. Spraying on color and taking pictures.

But we made it.  Kind of.  Walmart doesn't carry the hair spray that Glenn's prefers for this feat, but we made do with some gel.

And poor Lila, she had to make do with a few pony tails and some spray color as we spent most of the time on Ethan.

Enjoy your Cool Punk Rock status while it lasts Ethan and Nathan, cause it's all coming off today!  Love you little Crazies!

* A Huge thank you to those of you who talked me off the ledge of no comments and made me relax with the whole issue.  Seriously, thank you, I appreciate it a ton.  The words of wisdom are heard, noted and being put into place.

No Comment

I've started a journal at least a dozen times in my life.  A dozen times I've stopped.  When I started blogging it was just little things here and there, snippets of our life.  But the more comfortable I became with it, the more open I became about the reality of my life, reflecting in more honest posts that dig a little deeper into this here home we've created.

It was always my intention to create memories for my kids.  Let them know how I feel about them and life in general as well as let family and friends in on our life.

But as it goes with blogging you create friendships and acquaintances. It's been fun and great but at the same time stresses me out a bit.  Do I have time to comment back to all the comments I receive?  Are they going to be sincere?  Do I even want to? 

And if no then why not just put pen to paper and stop blogging altogether?

There is something I truly love about blogging.  I love weaving our life into a story with pictures.  I love how connected I can stay with those I don't see or even talk to.  Friends I grew up with, family I rarely see, and new friends I've made here. Plus, this is the most success I've had documenting my life, ever!

But the comments.  Aaargh, the comments are killing me.  I love them but it's too time consuming at this time in my life.  I feel my focus needs to be elsewhere.  On studying, on creating, on learning and growth.

More time to annoy the neighbors with the music channels 'Pop Hits' turned up full blast while dancing with the kids.  Less time at the computer.

Sometime I feel myself holding back because I don't want pity, applause, whatever.  I want to put myself out there, I want those interested to read for enjoyment, to learn, or just to laugh at me and my mistakes.  But I don't want you to feel obligated to feel the need to come up with something to say.  This is my life.  My kids.  My heart.  It's too close to me to bear someone throwing out a few words hoping to get a follower, or wondering if my comment is just another tally mark, that's not what I am about. 

This doesn't mean I don't care or am not invested in you.  It just means I need freedom.  Freedom to blog when I want, what I want with no pressure on either of our sides.

I've gone back and forth, back and forth and I think the only thing that will truly work for me, give me the truest sense of freedom is if I turn off all comments.

Our family has some Big, small and I am sure unexpected changes coming up in the very near future.  I am excited to see what happens. Maybe these changes have pushed me to make some changes in my own personal life.  This is the first step, and I have many more to go.

I'll still check in on you.  You're my friends, and I appreciate all the inspiring words I've read and will continue to read. 

Veganize Me

I actually don't like the term Vegan.  It implies all things taken out of your diet, I much prefer the term Plant Based diet.

I changed my eating habits literally overnight, (although I was a vegetarian for most of my 20's).  I didn't see a movie or read a book, I just woke up one day 2 months ago and knew things had to drastically change with my diet.  I believe in the saying that when you do the same thing you get the same results.

I need different results.  I want to heal my arthritis.

Do I think this will do the trick?  I don't know, but I am willing to try.  If anything it will be good for my body regardless.

This was not hard for me.  At all.  I eat pretty healthy on a day to day basis.  Lots of vegetables and fruit.  Grains and lentils.  Nuts and seeds.

Truth be told dairy sneaks it's way in in the form of a handful of chocolate chips, a salad I've been given that has some cheese in it, or bread that's been made with a bit of milk.

I have no desire to eat meat.  I also have no desire to eat processed dairy & meat substitutes.  The whole point of me eating this way is to eat fresh, whole foods.

But I also will not bring it up when I am a guest in someone's home if there is dairy in my food.

So obviously I am not die hard, but I would say it's in the high 99 percentile of no dairy.

So basically I've been carbo-loading.  I know it's totally uncool and the opposite of what everyone else is doing, but it feels right for me.

Baptism

Ethan Glenn Wallwork was baptized this past Saturday, April 13, 2013.  In the Latter Day Saint Religion you are baptized when you are 8 years old into the church.  Ethan has seen his dad baptize both his sisters and was so excited to participate in this sacred ordinance himself and become a member of our church.

It was a special day for our family.  Glenn's parents and two of his sisters drove down from Fresno to be here with us.  My family was also in attendance along with a few close friends.  Glenn's sister Amy gave a talk on baptism, Lila gave a talk on confirmation, and Emry and Lila sang a song.  It was simple & perfect.

 clockwise from top left: Glenn's sister Amy, her husband Dave & Ethan - Ethan & I - Jeannette and her family with Ethan, with Lila trying to photobomb the shot - Ethan & his cousins Nathan & Drew

After the baptism it was time to EAT!

Quinoa Salad with dates, sweet potatoes, pine nuts and feta, Roasted Chicken, -  Ceasar Salad,  Mexican Salad, - Artichoke dip, Cowboy Caviar - There was also a fruit plate & banana bars (unpictured)

And the rolls deservedly get their own photo.  What's better than fresh from the oven rolls?  Nothing.

The kids with Glenn's parents Lanny & LoRane Wallwork.  I know, this shot is fantastic.  That's what I get for taking it as my kids are rushing off to school.  But at least I got a picture of them which is more than I can say for Karen, Glenn's sister.

She took time off from work and hauled her 2 little boys down here to be with us and I am so grateful she did.  Karen is one of the kindest people on the planet and leaves you wanting to be a better person yourself.

Thank you to our family and friends for supporting us, loving us and being such great examples on a day to day basis of how to be better, live better, do better.  We love you all.

And to you Ethan, always remember Your Savior loves you and is there for you.
I love you too love you more love you the most nonstop google infinity dot com to eternity neverending story.

Sibling Rivalry

      Kyle (34)     Nielsen (41)     Marie (39)     Jeannette  (43)

This is me with 3 of my 8 siblings. There are 9 of us total.  I have to clarify and say that my youngest brother Tommy died when he was only a few months old, but I can't bear to not include him whenever I put a number on us.  Therefore I have 2 older sisters, 2 older brothers, and 4 younger brothers.  I am smack in the middle.  I didn't even realize I was the middle child until a few years ago.  Honestly it just wasn't something I ever thought about.  I was always the youngest girl, or the youngest of the first set of kids (after me there is a large gap of 4 years before Aaron came along).

While the kids played all Spring Break there was plenty of time for the adults to sit around the table and reminisce about our shared childhood.  At one point my brother Kyle laughed and said how as a kid I always bit him.  What!  It must be selective memory on my part because I don't remember that.  But I do remember getting frustrated with the four little boys who wouldn't help me with chores, who broke my barbies and who I had to care for, watch over, clean up after, and put up with.  So thinking back now, I am sure he's right.

I am sure I am not alone in wishing I could go back and have a re-do.  I wish someone would have told me those little boys would be my best friends and biggest supporters when I grew up. To just wash the dishes with a smile on my face instead of whining how unfair it was that they wouldn't help me.  That when they told me the cute boy I was in love with was no good for me they weren't trying to spoil my fun, only trying to save me some tears.  That even though our lives took us on very different paths, our hearts would always be aligned.  That love in This Family can be stretched until the brink but would never ever break.

I know that now.  And I love them all more than I could ever put into words.

 

Cousin Memories

The kids had 2 weeks off for Spring Break.  During the 2nd week my brother Kyle came from Utah with his daughter Iree.  Iree & Lila are the same age and were inseparable.  Add in Jeannette's little ones Nathan & Kiera and we were in full party mode.

We went to the $ store and the kids picked out candy, games & a movie for a cousin sleepover.  We left Emry in charge and had an adult only night at my moms while the kids played and partied.  When we left at 5 pm they were playing out back, not wanting to start the movie until late because they were convinced they were going to stay up all night.  Upon Glenn & I's arrival home at 11pm they somehow convinced me to take them TP'ing.  I couldn't say no the cousins hard partying ways could I?

I remember going to my Grandparents Farm every summer and the wonderful memories made with all of my cousins.  I am so glad my kids love their cousins so much and are creating memories of their own.  It goes beyond memories though.  There's something about a cousin that just binds you right up, no explanations needed.

It was busybusy, gogogo, stayuplate & playallday.  The times were good and the love was great.  My kids dropped everything because all they wanted to do was be with their kin.

Just as I remember.  Just as it should be.

Spring Break..............so far