The Bernese Mountain Dog

When I was 2 years old, my mom introduced me to a cute little puppy and I freaked out and would have nothing to do with him. I have felt the same way about dogs since that day on... until now. When I married Paul I knew he loved dogs, but I didn't know that life would never be complete without one... I mean two. So for every holiday since we were married, guess what Paul wants? You guessed it, only one thing, A Bernese Mountain Dog. One Christmas 2 years ago, I consented and we decided to get a dog. His family gave us a gift card to PetCo and my parents gave us a kennel. I FREAKED out and sank into a hole of misery and terror. We took those things back and I promised Paul that I would try to overcome my repulsion toward the creature called "Dog". It has taken almost 4 years of retraining my brain, but I think I am ready. The biggest factors in my change of heart have to do with two things. #1, It would make my husband so happy and give him something new to focus on since I feel that he is in a 2 dimensional rut. #2 Eirik LOVES dogs. He cries when he sees one walk by our house and he can't go pet it. When we see dogs, he yells out "doggy!" and when he gets to play with puppies, he giggles and squeals and can't get enough. It's a joy to watch. Also, my mother in law said that her dog eats all the food that Eirik's cousin Jake throws on the floor, and can I just say that any help in cleaning up the floor around Eirik's chair would be a welcome addition to life!!! So, yesterday on Paul's day off, we drove to Mexico Missouri to visit a Bernese Mountain dog breeder and we played with these DARLING little guys. I have to admit, if we are going to get a dog, Paul chose the best breed. They are truly great dogs. We are trying to decide if we should get a male or female and any advise anyone has would be greatly appreciated!! We're excited... and just look at my boys, I think this little guy would make them so happy, don't you?! (the one on the left is the stuffed Bernese that Eirik likes to sleep with.)

Eirik with Skull and Cross Bones

I thought that title might catch some interest. For Easter we took Eirik to an easter egg hunt where there was face painting. I turned my back for 2 seconds and just LOOK what Paul commissioned to be painted on our little boy's face! :)

The latest object of my affection

So, I found this bike at an antique mall south of town. I am trying to decide if I want to buy it or not. I'm crazy about it, but we of course don't have any money and it can't be really a great bike, just cool... so what do you all think??

TP'd

There was no doubt when we woke up this morning who had brought the home decor to our yard, yet it was still no less hysterical. Paul looked at me and said, "How old are we?" I'm just glad that even though I am now the ripe age of 30, I still attract youthful vitality aka: "Tasheena with a vengeance". What did surprise me about the whole thing was that, even though Sheen was the instigator, she was not alone!! Please imagine with me 5 nursing and pregnant mothers running around spreading toilet paper around the neighborhood at 2:00 AM- at 5 different houses!!! That kills me!
Also, I do have to say, I was running low on TP, and now I don't have to go to the store- so Thanks Ladies! We'll use it from the trees! :)
Also, I liked it even more since Paul cleaned it all up. Thanks darling! :)

Motherly Inspiration!

Last night I had the good fortune to visit a woman that I randomly met at the gym one day at her home 20 minutes outside of town to learn about the book "How Smart is Your Baby?" by the Institute for Achieving Human Potential. When she told me briefly about this book when we met, it struck such a cord with me that I immediately went home and ordered it. I read it right away and thought it was awesome, yet was a bit overwhelmed and I haven't done all I can do to implement the great ideas it offers. So I took the opportunity to call her and invite myself over so that she could show me what she does with her kids. She has two brilliant, gorgeous girls 3 and 5. They both are testing at at least 2-3 years above their age level in almost all areas due to the great training that they are receiving at home. First of all, they live in this house that is just truly to die for. It is on a farm with a GORGEOUS view. They have a huge porch with bent willow rockers that look out over this vast expanse of hills and farmland. The evening was warm and the stars so bright, it was magical from the beginning. Their house is a timber frame house made of gorgeous cedar, open two stories as you walk in with wood floors, lush carpet and big windows. They have built matching "gym" equipment like bars, ladders, swings and slides that fit right into the front room fun. The whole house is created to be a place of deep inspiration and learning for kids. I was so inspired by all the posters, games, books, word cards, math cards, perfect pitch exercises, chore charts, computer programs, and toys. It was AMAZING. She gave me all kinds of materials to read and videos to watch. She made me really rethink my priorities. This is my time to be the best parent I can be to give my kids the best chance that they can have at this crazy life. I have been pretty selfish with my time lately. I just get so addicted to creating stuff. I can't stop, but i have to find a way. I have to spend more time being creative about how to teach Eirik. He can learn so fast if I repeat enough and give him opportunity. Thanks to this truly dedicated woman, I know I can do better.

Eric's Baby

One of my oldest and dearest friends became a father this month. It was a wild turn of events in his life that I'm sure changed a lot of his plans, but I am so proud of him for the grace with which he handles life. Plus, his baby is second in cuteness to only one baby I have ever seen; mine of course. So congratulations! Dexter Elliot is a lucky kid to have a father who is fabulous in a million ways.

This is what his birth announcement says as his introduction: Baby Dexter Elliot; The destruction of the universe and the folding time shall now make haste.

This is my husband!

Yes,
This is the crazy adorable man I live with everyday. And this is an everyday occurance. Those of you who don't believe me don't know Paul.

Proud mama

Somedays I look at our kid and I just stare in disbelief. It's such a wonder that this little AMAZING person came from two dummies like Paul and myself. (sorry Paul, but you really earned that tonight!)
Tonight Eirik was being SO cute. He had a late nap and woke up so happy. I put him in his high chair and gave him a bowl of Southwest Chicken (one of my favorite recipes/ Thanks Katherine!) and a spoon and let him go to town. Without the chips and lettuce this dish is basically a salsa with chicken in it, but Eirik loves spicey food and he spent an hour working his way through two bowls of it. I was making cookies and talking to him while he ate. He asked me what I was doing in his little Eirik way; "Da? Da?" so I gave him a bit of cookie dough, and, WOW, he loved it. So he continued to ask me in the sweetest way for more cookie dough. After coming off of a week where I have been doing my best to break his demanding whining new habbits, this was a really refreshing change of pace. After he had eaten lots of cookie dough and a banana too, I asked him if he wanted to get down. He looked at me, shook his head no and asked me in sign language for more cookie please. He combined the words to make a sentence with the cutest little look on his face! They say that kids start using two words together around age 2. For a 13 month old, I'd say that's pretty good! After he was finally finished with his 1 1/2 hour dinner, I got him down, and held his hand as he walked me to the bathtub, looked up at me and smiled. I said, "would you like to take a bath?" and he started giggling and jumping up and down. I know, it's silly, I'm just thrilled because I'm starting to have so much fun with my son. He is interacting and communicating with me and playing jokes on me. He tickles me and gives me big kisses on my cheek with his mouth wide open. He asks me in sign language to read him books and he loves to sort shapes and he knows the color yellow and how to say it verbally. I didn't want to put him to bed tonight. We put on a movie and snuggled until he was dozing in my lap. Good times! I can't wait until there are more of them to have fun with.
I am a proud mama today.

Easter this year...

My dad came the long long way out to visit our little family for Easter this year! We loved having him here! He was a breath of fresh air. He knows how to slow down and enjoy the moments of life. He has a relaxing presence. He is at peace, it was refreshing and we were sad to see him go! Even Eirik cried. We spent a lot of time driving around the outskirts of our little town exploring and finding little secret places just being touched by spring.


I tried a couple of new Easter recipes that I loved. Above is a coconut cake: http://allrecipes.com/Recipe/Rave-Reviews-Coconut-Cake/Detail.aspx
(Tasheena, "you can't have that, it's a coconut cake!" )

and below is a really yummy Easter meat/ cheese pie:
http://allrecipes.com/Recipe/Easter-Meat-Pie/Detail.aspx

We also had a lot of fun decorating eggs. I finally concented to the fact that I am not going to get my dear husband to enjoy decorating eggs, so this year I invited my girlfriend over to enjoy the fun. This is Erin and Tasheena, who both, I must say are masters at this craft. (pictures don't demonstrate the extent of their egg crafting abilities.. )

I took this photo on the way home from Spring Break. Every once in a while you get a glimpse of something so beautiful it takes your breath away. After such a dead ugly winter the world is finally coming alive again. It's been said that "Life rejoices in life." I find myself so enlivened by the tiniest things this spring, like the way the sunshine hits just one little section of the rolling hills and lights up the brand new grass with a burst of lime green. I rejoice and especially at this time of year find myself more grateful than ever for the beauty and new life God blesses us with. General Conference was great this year wasn't it?!