My husband and I laid down on the couch together today and relaxed for the first time in .. I can't tell you how long.. I finally have my husband back!!
This last week has been.. I'll be honest.. just hell. On Friday morning the day of his last final, I could feel the excruciating pain as Paul woke up after only a few hours of sleep and went over the last 50 pages of notes of the 600-700 that he went through for that test (all on Thursday!) He said his brain felt like lead. The stress of the past few weeks has just pervaded the house. Other wives can separate, but I feel stressed while Paul is stressed and we are both sighing big sighs of relief today. It is such a great feeling to be able to cross that last final off the calendar and know he made it!! He stuck it out and we are almost through these first two years. I don't know how he's done it! I'm so proud of him!!

Although.... he keeps asking me not to talk about the end drawing near because he has to stay focused. Boards are just two weeks away.. so the stress isn't lifted, just changed and today is a day for relaxation and gearing up for two more weeks of the same day over and over and over again.

This last week was just so miserable and while I am supposed to be the wife that is supportive and helpful while my husband goes through one of the hardest weeks of his life, I was the wife complaining of being sick, tired, and bored. What a sad and selfish woman I have been for the last week. Not to give myself any excuses, but pregnancy is hard! Also, I have been missing my evening pick-me-ups where I work on projects I love and read and write and reconnect with myself since bed has been more appealing. (I've been simply crashing around 6 or 7 and hopefully making it until 9 or so when there's just no going on!) I wasn't this tired while prego with Eirik. So while all waking hours are spent with Eirik and trying to keep him from banging on the study door and crying for his father, I haven't had the me time that usually keeps me chipper.

So today, we have a day where Paul has designated his time to relaxation and I have racked my brain, searched the web and nearly gone crazy trying to think of something exciting, fun and uplifting that would brighten our spirits and help us reconnect with life. Sadly, what keeps coming to mind are ... the narrows, Zions, Mt. Nebo, Park City, Galleries, Arts Festivals, hiking Immigration canyon, Barnes and Noble, The Gateway, Hobble Creek, and a million other fabulous places to explore and play in my home territory. I must be so boring, but the Tom Sawyer Caves and farmland just aren't comparable and they don't get the blood going like being home would. I sure miss my family right now. (Shout out to all of you!)

So before this long desperate post gets too sad and borring, let me say that we watched "Pursuit of Happiness" last night and there's nothing like a movie like that to help you remember just how good we have it. We are so blessed and my gratitude is keeping me going. I do love my life even in the hard times!

Spring Birthday

Our friend Eugena had the brilliant idea to start a cafe "Eugena Ruth's Cafe" in her backyard to bring this restaurant deprived town a touch of her divine food preparation skills. I immediately signed us up for a special evening Birthday celebration dinner for Paul's 27th. We had the privilege of celebrating with our good friends Ashley and Justin who were also celebrating Justin's birthday. The food was amazing, herbed focaccia bread, spicy shrimp, lemon risotto, served in a lemon, cranberry juice with Perrier, and three deserts to top it off- red velvet cupcakes with toffee chocolate frosting, key lime pie (delicious!) and citrus raspberry gelatto. It was a warm romantic wonderful evening (great service) and beautiful scenery. Thanks Eugena Ruth.

As a side note, I painted the hollyhocks on Eugena's table top.

They say the first fall is always the worst...

I'm just not sure who it was worse for.. Eirik or his parents.



First of all, I have to start the story by explaining that Eirik has learned baby signs for bike and car and go and open the door and outside. SOOOO.... There is no end to his requests to go play outside. He LOVES to ride bikes and this little red "4 wheeler" was no exception, until the fateful day, last week, when he got going to fast and the hill was suddenly a long awful stretch of pavement to skid his poor little cheek and shoulder and forehead and knee on.

I've never seen my husband so remorseful. He couldn't sleep that night replaying the incident over and over and over again. Luckily, no harm was done that won't quickly heal, and even today (one week later) the scabs are gone and just bruises and red road rash remain. The best part was that he didn't even cry. He just let out a long low Ouuuch.....

The following photo shows how we recreated the scene of the accident to provide "therapy" for the boys. We wanted Eirik to know that it doesn't happen every time and that he is safe to try it again having learned the lesson not to go into the grass too fast. Well, as you can see, Eirik wasn't quite ready to love the 4 wheeler again.

House Envy

So, I am a big believer in gratitude. I heard recently that "gratitude begets gratitude." I also believe in vacuums. I believe that in order to have new things come into your life you have to let go of old and make room for the new. I don't believe in being complacent, but I also don't believe in living above one's means. None of this matters though if I'm constantly thinking about this new house envy that has entered my blood. I am never envious of things. I love what I have, where I am, what I'm doing. I live in the moment. I know there is a time and a season, and yet, I am filled with house envy! I also love our current house. We have been SO lucky to live here. It is big with high ceilings, lots of room in the kitchen, plenty of bedrooms, hardwood floors, good appliances and heat and cooling, a big bathroom, a shed and carport and our own yard for a GREAT deal! And yet; here it comes again.... house envy. The real reason is that I have started looking for houses online in MI where we will be moving. I have been forced to ask myself, "what is the perfect house for us in our situation?" and the answer is really fun to think about, and scary because the more I want, the more I WANT and that's where the envy comes in. I am frightened my these new desires that make me discontent with ugly floors, leaks, bad floorplan, small closets, no fence.. you know... the stuff most people have to live with in my situation since let's face it ..we pooor..
So my new struggle is to find a house that is suitable something we can love and yet something not too dreamy or out of our price range. I have to be realistic. Borring!
When we first moved to Kville I wanted to live in the coolest, funkiest, old airplane hanger or warehouse place I could think of... and now. with a kid I can't believe how my priorities about a house have changed. I don't care about cool rustic character anymore, just give me something easy to clean! Dang it... Borring! Oh what maturity I have developed this year. :)
Wish me luck on my hunt and for the moment enjoy this fabulous Anthropologie door mat that I hope someday will welcome my friends to my beautiful comfortable, lived in and spacious, easy to clean house.

Goodnight friends!

SAA

So tonight we threw an event called "Transition" dun dun dun... for the organization I am in that supports our Med Student spouses. This means that I officially got to hand over the crown to the next Historian.. ha ha Tasheena you sucker!! I just have to say that it has been so much fun and yet, let me think about it, ... no, I'm not going to miss being the historian. One year was a good call of duty and I got home and thought, "yes, my life is my own again, and I can do whatever I want. :)"
This photo shows the amazing people that I have had the chance to serve on the board with this year. To these people I have to give a big shout out because they all went above and beyond. They are awesome. I love you guys!

I know, I have to get a better camera!!!

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?!