oh, the things they say.....

Ben (thinking seriously while eating dinner)

"So, I've got an important question...

When you work at a restaurant do you get to eat their food for free or do you have to pay for it?"

After we talked about it for a while, he let out a big sigh and said, "That's really good to know."
As IF he's about to fill out job applications next week or something.

Luke: (who's hoping to get hired by Laffy Taffy soon...)

"What is a Tree's favorite thing to drink?

*answering his own joke without giving you any time to think*

ROOT BEER! Get it? So he drinks from his roots. But trees don't drink beer because they don't want to get drunk. They either drink milk or juice or water. Yeah. probably just water. or root beer."


Zack: who was trying to wake me up over the Thanksgiving break... (we were all sleeping in the same room.) He got really close to me and said, "Mom, if you don't wake up, I am going to spit you in the face!"

When I opened my eyes, he smiled and said, "Hi Mom! I never spit you in the face. I only hug you in the face! See? I am hugging you in the face." and my face was never happier- or more grateful.

• Yesterday he asked me to help him put on a pair of black gloves. He got really serious and whispered, "When I wear these gloves, I turn into.... [long pause]..... HARRY POTTER!" I laughed because who knows how long it's been since Harry has been mentioned at our house.
  

• After dinner last night, we were getting ready to eat a delicious chocolate cream pie that I made... the one that I should have made when the in-laws were here, but there were already an insane amount of pies in my kitchen. Before we sat at the table, I heard Zack saying over and over and over, "MMmmm. I love this pie." When I turned around, I found him like so:

Nicknaming him "The Animal" was completely appropriate. It was so natural for me to say, "Who let the Animal on the table??" I wonder HOW many times I have said things like that over the past two (I mean three) years. He's been getting into trouble ever since he could move.

And when he does something wrong, he gives me this face.. It's new and I love it.


He's always a mess. I can't help but like him anyway.

A pie eating video entitled: Santa's fat, but nice.

I will post the chocolate cream pie recipe mañana.

ThanksVegasMas

Is it really December already? I can't believe it. Our Thanksgiving holiday was fab, delish, sweet, gnarly and all that. We spent a few days with our favorite Shumways.

The whole fam damily was here in Vegas and we had a good time... We had a homemade meal on Thursday and then opened Christmas presents on Friday (hence the weekend holiday being named ThanksVegasMas) All of Aaron's siblings are married and two of the sisters are expecting (yay for cousins.. FINALLY!) Our house was packed with people and we loved every minute of it.

The highlights of the weekend were-- Aaron's turkey, the Thanksgiving toast= "To our rich lawyer brother!", John's natural charisma with our boys (and the "Grandmother LIED to you" remark), the hoochies on the strip, the flying balloons in the front "yard" and getting a few of them caught on our neighbor's roofs, the electronic hot potato, staying up WAY past our bedtimes, PIE pie and more PIE, Karate-chopping Styrofoam, seeing Hugh Jackman's fineness on the big screen in Australia, and playing a charades game invented by my friend Rachel.. I would explain it-- but she needs to get it patented before I spill the beans. Just imagine all the men in the room trying to act out "A flower getting chocked by weeds" or "an octopus squirting ink at it's enemy"... there is a short video clip below, but it doesn't do justice.

Hope everyone had a happy Thanksgiving. I have a thousand more pictures to post, but I'm not gonna. My kids are pacing around waiting to make a countdown to Christmas chain. HELLOOOOOOOOOOOOOO December!!

Friends to last a Lifetime

Finally, another Sunday addition of people who inspire me.

The fact that I have put this post off for SO LONG is pathetic. We went to AZ for Aaron's grandpa's funeral (what?.. like 6 months ago) and we were able to stop and see some of our favorite people in the world. I know, I know, I say everyone is my favorite... but these guys really are! We met Lauri and Myounghee (me-young-he) 7 years ago at the Provo tabernacle, where hundreds of people were gathered for a church function. I sat next to Myounghee and immediately fell in love. Our husbands were off ushering [or doing something else manly] and we just chatted and chatted and chatted. Ben was only 6 months old and her oldest daughter Michelle was two. A second after being introduced, we were literally talking a million miles an hour-- (we're both fast talkers to begin with) but there is no other way to explain it but that we had instant chemistry. I remember thinking that day, "Meeting a person like this doesn't happen everyday." At the end of the conversation (when we were pulled away from each other) I got her number to call her so we could meet up another time.. and you would never believe what we discovered when we returned home-- WE WERE NEIGHBORS! We lived in the same building!! No kidding, her front door was about 20 steps away from mine.. she was just a stairwell away. It was divine intervention. We were meant to be friends with these people.. and I believe we will always keep in touch.

I could probably write a novel about this family-- they have had such incredible experiences and stories. (This is the very reason I have put off writing this post is because it I knew if I started it would end up being 100 pages!)

Let me just start with the basics... I will try not to get carried away.

Myounghee is Korean. Her father is a rice farmer and she comes from a big, hardworking family. She was not born into the church, but was baptized at age 12. Her story of finding the LDS Church in Korea is miraculous. If I can get her to write it in her own words, I will.. it's just overwhelming for me to try to do it myself. Let me just say that after the death of her grandfather she was searching for answers and tracked down the Mormon missionaries (remember, I said she was only 12.) She read the Book of Mormon in ONE NIGHT. Her parents allowed her to get baptized, and she worked so hard to prove to them how much her membership in the Church meant to her. As a teenager, her father got very sick and the family was devastated. Myounghee promised God that if He would save her father, she would find a way to serve a mission for the church. Her father was healed, and a few years later, she was called to serve as a sister missionary in California. She served faithfully, learned English and has some of the most miraculous stories from her time as a missionary. After her mission, she attended school at BYU-Hawaii. This is where she met her wonderful husband, Lauri (who happens to be from Finland.)

Lauri is funny, smart, humble and such a great guy! We love him too and have learned so much from his example. He was attending BYU law school in Provo when we met. He (and his wife) had to sacrifice so much for his degree.. not just during school, but they had to save for years for tuition money because they didn't have citizenship in the country to take out student loans. They lived so frugally and were so humble about everything they had. When we first went into their apartment, it was practically empty. I saw suitcases on their bedroom floors, and I thought they can just returned from a trip.. but I quickly realized that they didn't have any furniture. Their clothes were in suitcases (for over a year) because that's all they had. With lots of family close by, I rounded up help from Aaron's parents who were living in Orem. We got them dressers and couches and a few household items. Myounghee was so excited about it, she called me several times to say, "I feel like I am living in a hotel." How can you help but not love her?

They didn't have a car while living in Provo. Myounghee walked everywhere and was so shy about asking for rides. We each only had one child at the time, so we always piled in our Honda and went lots of places together. Soon after we met, Myounghee found out she was expecting again and I was lucky enough to not only be a part of her doctor's appointments, but I was in the delivery room when her second baby girl was born. Nicole was a BEAUTIFUL baby and is such a gorgeous 5 year old now! She has since had two adorable little boys.. A big blessing for Myounghee because boys RULE in Korea. She always tells me that God favors me by sending me boys.

I found out I was pregnant with Luke when early one morning, Myounghee knocked on my door and told me that she had a dream that I was having another boy. I didn't think it was possible because we weren't even trying. She said, "oh, yes. You are having a boy. I dreamed there was a cow and flowers [or something to that effect] and that means you are expecting another boy!" I didn't know it at the time, but I was 5 weeks pregnant.. and sure enough, it was a boy!. I quickly learned to trust when Myounghee had 'revelations'. She has amazing stories of what has happened in her dreams and I believe her 100%. Don't mess around with the Korean woman with vivid dreams. She knows what she's talking about. She also ALWAYS says it like it is. She is blunt and open and isn't afraid to hurt your feelings. I just love that about her!

Another story I just LOVE is when we realized they had never been out to eat at a restaurant in Provo. I am not sure how long they had lived there, but when we found out that they hadn't eaten at a single restaurant, we told them we would take them ANYWHERE they wanted... our treat. They were both so surprised and almost turned us down. We told them to pick the place and we'd make it a date. They both said they needed to think about where they wanted to go. A couple of days later Myounghee called me and said, "We finally decided where we want to go...." I wanted to know where. With much excitement she said, "ARBY'S!" That was not the kind of restaurant we were expecting, but Arby's it was. We told them to buy as much food at they wanted.. It was such a fun night. After dinner we all went to a 50 cent movie at the cheap theaters in Provo and it was ghetto-fabulous.

Myounghee and Lauri are such a big part of our Provo experience. We were so sad to say goodbye to them because we weren't sure when we'd see them again. They are literally the most WARM, humble, wonderful people and will forever be our dear friends. Lauri has since finished law school and is an attorney in AZ. I LOVED going to their home to visit them because it is still so modest and so welcoming. They have their priorities straight and conversation with them is never vain or shallow. They are hilarious and such wonderful parents. Their children, by the way, are brilliant and well rounded. All four children are fluent in Korean, Finnish AND English. Myounhee only speaks Korean to them, Lauri only speaks Finnish to them, and in order for the parents to understand each other, they all have to speak English! It was such a joy to see them and to see Michelle playing the piano and Nicole talking a million miles an hour (just like her mother!) I am keeping my fingers crossed that we will still live close to them-- because you never know if they are going to go back to Finland or Korea. Five hours isn't so bad, but what I wouldn't give to be living in the same building!

This Thanksgiving season, I am truly grateful for friends. The last few months of my life have been spent thinking about such materialist things.. buying a new house (and trying to furnish it) does that to you.. or at least it has to me. The last few days I have really tried to step back and take a breather and remember what is MOST important. And for me, it's people. It's my family-- immediate and not so immediate, it's the wonderful friends we've made in Las Vegas, and it's all the loved ones I've met along the way. I am so grateful for those who have made an impact for good on my life. I wish I lived closer to my parents and siblings. I know they are going to have a killer Thanksgiving meal on Thursday and I will SO miss it!!! But I get the next best thing-- my in-laws are coming to town and I am looking forward to hosting in my new house.

I hope everyone has a wonderful Thanksgiving. Eat your heart out! I will be back next week... with Christmas music to boot!

Lucky in Love

Aaron and I have an email relationship. It's been this way since the beginning. He confessed his love (not the first time, but the second time) over a wonderfully written, charismatic email and that was the day I knew. We call it "THE email". Maybe someday I will share it, but that someday will have to be after Aaron dies.

We have volumes and volumes of emails sent to each other. We spent our entire engagement living 4 hours apart... and it was before the cell phone age, so the majority of our "conversations" are written down. Our first couple of years of marriage were school years for both of us. We were lucky to see each other for an hour a day, but we definitely kept in touch... it just happened to be over email. And of course, law school was the same story. We literally have thousands of emails, and I just so happen to have all those emails printed out... and in chronological order in three ring binders.

If my house burnt down, these volumes are one of the first things I would grab. Pictures are important, but love letters (and some not so lovey-dovey) mean something more to me. These emails tell our story. And it's not the same story that I wrote in my journal. I always tell people that I can't remember the first few years of motherhood (I was so busy with school, work and two little toddlers) but I have SO many emails written to my husband about what happened during those busy days. And I am so glad I do! A few days ago, I was thumbing through these emails and laughed out loud several times. How quickly we forget! How much fun it is to remember!

I decided to copy and paste a couple of emails on my blog.. and don't worry, they aren't the lovey-dovey stuff. Just a couple of everyday stories that could have been easily forgotten..
___________________________________________________________________

From: Janet
Title: Do you think my mom is GORGEOUS?

I went to the store with the kids in tow because cereal was on sale--- and I know how much you love Lucky Charms. I told the boys if they were good at the store, we could rent a movie on our way out-- (Redbox is the bomb!)

The couple in front of us was taking entirely too long deciding which movie to rent.. when the wife's cell phone rang. She answered with, "Hi Mom!" and then proceeded to tell her mom which movie choices they were thinking about. Then she handed the phone over to her husband. His greeting totally shocked me. He put the phone to his ear and enthusiastically said, "HEY GORGEOUS!" I just couldn't help but smile because he was talking to either his mom or his mother in law--- Have you ever described your mom (or mine) as GORGEOUS? It's kinda cute and kinda twisted at the same time.

____________________________________________________________

From: Aaron
Title: evil soap dispensers

So I just went to the bathroom and went to wash my hands and when I pushed down on the soap dispenser it shot across the entire sink and hit me right in the crotch...right on my zipper. Now it looks like I stained my pants for the day.

It would probably come out with some water...but that would mean getting that area even more wet. So, I'm stuck with the soap on my crotch. My hate soap dispensers.

("My hate" is what Zack says... or used to say anyway.)

__________________________________________________________________

From: Janet
Title: get outta my personal space!

I took the boys to a consignment store today. It was empty and it seemed like the manager was super excited when we walked in the door. She kept asking what we were looking for and how she could help. She was a short little Asian woman and although I liked her enthusiasm, sometimes overly anxious customer service people can bug! She seriously followed us down every isle. If I touched an article of clothing and put it back, she asked if it wasn't the right size or why I didn't like it. Geez lady! And if the kids picked up a toy and played with it for a minute, she was breathing down their necks, just waiting to put it back where it belonged. Eventually I told them not to touch anything. Just as I was about to leave, I turned around and for some odd reason, she was at my feet-- picking something off the ground. She stood up at the same time that I turned around and I elbowed her right in the head. (I told you she was short!) I could tell it really hurt her... you know when it's a hard hit. She grabbed her head and just kept saying "Ouch!" And I am such a bad person because I wasn't about to say sorry. I was just trying hard not to laugh.... first of all, because I always think it's funny when people get hurt... and secondly because she totally DESERVED it. We left without buying anything, and now I can see why her store was empty.
_______________________________________________________________

*As I was printing out our recent emails and filing them away, I realized something... This past year, we have really been slacking in the email department. I figured it was because Aaron's job has been busier. And then it hit me. We finally have cell phones. Much more convenient, but if any of our posterity ever decide to read our Email Love Story, they will think we split up in 2008.

TWO days of crazy.. and more to come..

In the past 48 hours, I have:

• been visit taught
• gone visiting teaching
• made dinner for a neighbor who is very sick
• gone on a temple trip with the youth (left at 5 pm returned at 10:30 pm)
  
• sold a few appliances for a friend who has recently moved
• participated in my cleaning group.. still love this.. and can't wait for it to be my turn next week!
  
• visited the dentist.. (and must elaborate later)
• attended a birthday party for a cute 3 year old
  
• ran several errands with all three kids in tow-- they hate me!
  
• ruined a load of laundry.. so sad.
• hung shelves in my kitchen
  
• went to YW.. with three new investigating girls-- and a few old favorites :) (again.. I have GOT to sit down and write about the incredible missionary work going on with the young women in our ward.)
  
• realized the activity was BORING so we ditched--
  
• came back to my house for banana splits. Surprised my husband when I brought back a houseful of girls.
• sent about 200 emails.. or so it seems.
• took a nice long shower somewhere in the middle of all this mess!
• blasted the new David Archuleta CD in my house and my car. I love #11.. the rest is still growing on me.
  
• said goodbye to the Chaos who are leaving us!! We will miss you!
• took apart a big playhouse and reassembled it in our toy room.
  
• dropped off my kids to several different houses to be babysat. Thank you everyone!
  

Things I have NOT done:

• gotten over my cold
  
• played with my kids
• watched a minute of TV
  
• called my mom who probably wonders if I am alive.
• made my husband a lunch for work
• read anyone's blog
• cleaned my house
• prayed, read scriptures or done anything that requires quietness.
  
• gotten ready for Thanksgiving.. there is so much to do and so little time!

_______________________________________________________________

A conversation held somewhere in the middle of this that I don't want to forget:

Zack brought me a granola bar and asked me to open it. I saw that it was the crunchy kind... a kind he never actually eats.

Me: You can't have this.. you won't eat it.
Him: I will break it and throw it to the dog and he will eat it.
Me: We don't have a dog, Zack.
Him: OH! (laughing)

____________________________________________________________________

and last but not least... let me address a sad matter of business, since it's been the commanding subject in my email box. Blurb (the company that I printed my blog book with) is no longer converting blogs into books. You can manually copy and paste your blog, but it's not doing it for you.. the older software will still do it. So, don't upgrade if you haven't already. My computer hasn't been updated and will still transfer any blog over. I tried it last night and it worked fine, but that may be because I have already printed a book with them.

I have no idea why they changed their software.. probably because blogging has gotten out of hand and they print the books cheap. Does anyone know of another blog printing company that doesn't charge an arm or a leg to print a book? I don't have any answers, but would love to hear from some of you.