The Nitty Gritty

Yesterday was warm and sunny so the boys and I ate our lunch outside. While we were eating, Van could hear the garbage truck and he jumped up and ran to the gate saying, "Let's see it!" I could tell the truck was a block away so I told him, "Sorry, Van, the garbage truck is over there behind the fence so we can't see it." About 15 minutes later, I heard the garbage truck barreling down our street picking up the cans so I yelled, "Van! The garbage truck! Let's go see it!" We all ran to the gate, opened it and we made it just in time to see the truck lifting up our garbage can. I looked at Van, who was perched on my hip and his face was glowing with happiness. I suddenly felt so emotional about the likelihood of me returning to full-time work in the fall to support our family while Isaac gets his PhD. I thought, "I want to be the one to show Van the garbage truck and I want to be the one that gets to see his face as he watches it." I th...

For the first two decades of my life it was "Lana and Lesley." The last ten years it has been "Lesley and Isaac." I have so many fond memories of Lana and I growing up together that I have to admit it has been strange as we've pursued our own paths and have lived apart these past ten years. I don't have many memories of my twin sister and me together. I remember attending a wedding reception of an old friend from high school a few years ago and his family was so excited to introduce us to their middle-aged twin cousins. "This is how we picture you and Lana when you guys get older," they said. The twin sisters were joking at the table together while their husbands talked. I remember thinking "I hope that's how we'll be." That is why when Lana and Craig bought a house a mile away (thanks Uncle Terry!) I was excited and also a bit nervous. I looked forward to having a member of my family within 45 minutes, but was also worried h...

I am officially 30! I've been thinking about it all year long and how exciting it would be. I knew it would be a good birthday because of where I am in my life. I'm so grateful for my children and husband. I'm grateful for my education and for the opportunities I've had during my 20s. I am confident in who I am, I know what I want in life, and I don't have to worry about the major life decisions (career, spouse, family, etc.) anymore. I get to face new challenges in my thirties and watch these two little rascals grow up. Very exciting indeed. Along with the birthday festivities these last few weeks, my family has embarked on some new adventures. One is that I accepted a part-time job at Isaac's school to run the homework hall after school. It is very part-time, just 6 hours a week and I am really enjoying it. I love having something to do in the afternoon that is teaching-oriented and love that Isaac can be with the boys since it is after school. We have a sm...

I loved Summer 2011! The weather was bearable except for probably 2 weeks in August. The local city park passed out free sack lunches everyday for kids 18 and under so the boys and I tried to go as much as we could. It was so convenient to just throw the picnic blanket in the car and know lunch was waiting at the park. Going to the playground a few times a week was great practice for Will. He finally went down the big slides by himself and improved his climbing skillz. He is very cautious so I'm glad he is mustering up some courage. Other great things about this summer were: Family Fitness Day in Ogden. Isaac and I walked the 5K. He pushed the boys in the stroller and won first place for the male division. I won second place for the female division. It was my mother who won first place. She beat me by 24 seconds! Later she apologized for winning. Thanks for rubbing it in Mom! Ha! Seeing cousins and great grandparents at Uncle Terry's. We don't get to see the Bickmor...

Don't you think the spring season is the season of achievement with the flowers blooming, the sun's rays actually giving warmth, the little creatures (and us humans!) that survived the bitter cold of winter, etc? As I sat on my lawn today enjoying the sunshine, not only did the sun feel amazing, but my life at the moment feels amazing. Spring has such a rejuvenating spirit and I have been especially feeling rejuvenated lately because: 1. Two kids doesn't feel so chaotic anymore. This is huge Nitty Gritty fans. In the beginning I felt like I was thrown into a tornado and it was disheartening. Now I have more control and it feels incredible. Who'd have thought that going to Target with two kids two days in a row would be an achievement? It is for me! I have a system shopping with two. I love it! We also go on lots of outings. This week it's been music class, play group, and story time. Last week it was Arctic Circle and the city fitness center. Fuuuuu-un! 2. I c...

The thing I LOVE about healthy kids is we can get the heck out of town and have some fun. In February I renewed my pass to the aquarium and we have been back twice. Will loves the bullfrogs and the crocodiles. He also loves to crawl in and out of the caves in the Coral Reef Community. Isaac had a four day weekend in February so we spent one morning at the Dinosaur Museum (aka Museum of Ancient Life). There are tons of hands on exhibits, lots of dinosaur bones, and a scary T-Rex 3D IMAX movie. Will was in heaven and has asked to go back everyday since. He has also been roaring up a storm and wants me to read Curious George at the Dinosaur Discovery Museum before his naps. Trish and Garrett joined us for part of the adventure. Here's Will with Garrett roaring in front of T-Rex Mom and Will in front of the Utah Raptor One of the hands-on exhibits Dad and Will standing underneath the Brontosaurus When it's cold or snowy out we like to go to the local Arctic Circle a...

Today Will was in the mood to take a three hour nap and I was in the mood to do some organizing during that nap. I decided to tackle my nightstand which was getting harder and harder to close because it was so full and since it was so stuffed I had to start piling crap on top of it. I began by emptying the top drawer on my bed and began two piles: The Keep pile and the Throw Away pile. As I started sorting, I came across these priceless treasures. Fyi they did make the keep pile: 1) My pregnancy journal when I was pregnant with Van. It's not anything fancy--just a book that was in the goody bag from my first appt. I flipped through and noticed I hadn't recorded the last appointment or my labor and delivery experience. I jotted down enough lines to fit in the pages and promised myself I would give a more detailed account in my real journal. Giving birth is an unforgettable experience and Van's was especially memorable because of the work I went through to get him here. I...

We did our taxes on Sunday night and after the preparer informed us of what our tax return would be we had this exciting conversation on the way home: I: What should we do with it? L: I don't know. Save it? I: Ya. We probably should. We could use x amount to spend and save the rest. L: Good idea! I need a completely new wardrobe. I've been wearing the same clothes for like 8 years. I: I need new levi's. Maybe we could fly to Louisiana to see Dad and Dana. L: Ya! But maybe we should wait until next year when Van is a little older. But we could go this year too. I: We could get an ipad! It could be a for the family. L: Ya that would be fun. I feel like an elderly person trying to set up an email account whenever I play with an ipad at the Apple store. Maybe I should invest in the newest technology so I don't fall behind the times. Long pause I: Maybe we shouldn't get an ipad. L: Ya I can't really picture myself sitting on the couch playing with it. We ...

Feb. 4th is a special day for us. It was one year ago today that we said goodbye to my Dad. It's been a good week minus the few days earlier in the week that we were all sick. I read the account in my journal about my Dad's passing, watched some videos of him, and listened to his Memorial service. On Wednesday I saw the movie about Joseph Smith with the youth and remembered watching it with my parents for my Dad's birthday two years ago. It's been weird not having him here for some exciting things in 2010 like Van's birth, but overall 2010 was an awesome year for my little family unit. I'm happy my Dad is in a better place and look forward to the day when I can give him a hug and see his big bright smile. Thank you Dad for your life and legacy! You were and are the best Dad a girl could ever ask for. I love you and miss you!

My 2011 goals: MORE: dates with Isaac girls night outs new recipes because I am sick of cooking the same stuff outings with my kids time with my sisters homemade treats time for prayer & scripture study journal entries blogging How are you doing with your resolutions?

On Will's real 2nd birthday, Great Grandma and Grandpa Orme came to visit and meet Van. They treated us to lunch and we had a wonderful time. Will kept saying all afternoon "Grandpa Orme!" I'm so happy Will and Van have 3 sets of GREAT grandparents. Our adorable 2 year old Great grandmother with newest great grandbaby

Dear Lesley, I wish I could accurately describe how in-awe-of you I am. Watching you give birth to Van was an amazing experience for me. In Spanish when a woman gives birth they say she gives light or que ella “da luz”. I think that is a more accurate way to describe what went on and a more beautiful way to describe you and your relationship to my life and to those around you. Luminous Lesley You have given light to my two boys September 30, 2008 and September 17, 2010 You have given light to my life August 2, 2003 and every day afterward You have made the world a more Luminous place, For every person who has Seen your smile Heard you laugh or Held your hand these twenty-nine years. October 3, 1981 Thank you for your love and light. Love, Isaac Please leave a comment and let Lesley know how she has brought light to your life. She loves comments.