Midnight Snack

The other night Jared and I were enjoying some "White Collar" entertainment when we both wanted a snack. We sneak down to the fridge like kids after curfew and I grabbed the cherries. But not before I nearly died laughing at the other treasure I found on the shelf. Do you see it? :) 

I nearly peed myself when my eyes focused on the little truck hiding in our fridge. Oh Stuie! His little cars show up everywhere, but this was a very hilarious first for us. We laughed all the way back upstairs. 

Mama bird update

GOOD NEWS!!

Last night a third-party neighbor took the initiative and called animal rescue! An officer showed up and called out a fire truck to reach the vent and they saved the birds!! They had the owner's contractor remove the netting over the vent so the babies could fly out when they are ready to fly. The officer explained to us that there were at least 4 birds up there and they are almost big enough to launch. His estimate's that they will be in the sky within 10 days! YAY! Then the vent will be cleaned out from the inside out to remove the nest debris. Finally, the netting will be replaced again. Now that is a REAL solution!

I like to think that my little silent prayers and cyber pleading helped find a solution. :) Thank you for the support and encouraging words. They all helped this mama bird. 

Mama bird

Bare with me. This experience has taught me about home ownership and nature. It has also broken this mama's heart on mother's day.

We live in a townhouse. This picture shows the vent that leads into our neighbors home, but it is just above the steps that lead to our front door. Over a month ago a mama and papa bird settled in that vent and made a little home for three little eggs. As the little babies hatched and grew, the bird activity above our steps increased and started to affect our lives. 

The two parents flew in and out of the vent constantly. It seemed that all they did was gather food and feed their babies. With each entrance and exit, the metal flap over the hole sounded an alarming "clank" and startled me and Stu. We spend a lot of time in the front yard, and I sit on the steps. I took the opportunity to teach Stuart about the parents, the babies, and what they were doing. However, bird poop and discarded worms started to pile up on our steps, side walk, planter box, siding, and even were fertilizing our flowers. I tried to be patient and just hose the area down to cope with the unsightly white droppings. 

But then there was the noise. As the babies grew, they got louder and scarier. This sounds silly, but with so many flights back and forth and all the impatient, hungry "caws" I felt light I was living in the movie "The Birds." The majority of their sounds were not sweet, little good-morning songs. Once I even woke up to those shrieking "caws" at 4 a.m.

Our neighbors and we joked about target practice and getting the birds to relocate. The owner of the home kept telling the renters that something would be done soon. 

Then yesterday - Mother's day - I found out from the neighbors that someone came and gated off the entrance with metal mesh. Yay, right? No. The babies are all still inside!

First, that is gross for the residents' health living in the home. Their vent will continue to be contaminated. Gross. 

Second, the parents are separated from their babies!!!! I seriously almost cried at several points during the day yesterday. The mama and papa birds are still around. They sit on the roof or in the trees and just wait. They don't caw or sing. They just watch. I can still hear the babies inside. They are still loud, but this time they are starving to death. The parents can't get in, but they can hear their babies suffering. The babies can't get out and so they will die and decompose in our neighbor's vent. 

I am just beside myself. I know that's the circle of life. But ON MOTHER'S DAY, thinking of someone locking my babies in a cage where I couldn't care for them was too much for me to handle. I can't stop thinking about them. I am so sad for the mama and papa bird's loss. Silly, right? Innocent people die every day. Why am I so sad over a few birds?

Any comforting words to an emotional, pregnant mom?

Happy Birthday, Stephanie!

It was not easy to pick a picture of Stephanie. She is so gorgeous and photogenic that every picture is a beautiful and joyful one. They each catch a different side of her radiant personality. I finally settled on the one she chose to represent herself. But seriously, Steph, there are so many good ones!

Anyway. Happy birthday to this little lady. Steph, I don't know what to write exactly. You have changed and saved my life. That sums it up pretty well. You came in to my life just at the right time and provided all the love, enlightenment, and laughter that God knew I needed right at that stage of life. You have taught me so much about friendship, service, excellence, marriage, style, creativity and faith. Not to mention, you were the world's great babysitter to Stuart. You adopted our parenting style, read our books, loved our son, and made an impossibility a reality. And I think you STILL need to take a vacation away with your sweet husband. Just say the words and you have earned the much earned "Christmas bonus". I love you. Happy birthday!

Happy Birthday, Malea!!

My sister - the clown in the red hat and glasses!

Is it even possible to not smile when looking at this picture?! I love this picture. She sure knows how to have a fun, full life!!

Happy birthday, sis! What a life worth celebrating! I know it was a big milestone and a little sobering, but your life has been just incredible! You love and live and work with so much passion and excitement that you have celebrated everyday with dedicated motherhood to L, accepting companionship to J, uplifting friendship to the LBGs and family, and loyal employment to you-know-who. Not to mention, you made my childhood the best a kid could have asked for. You were the best sister to have around and I owe the large majority of fun, joyful childhood memories to you, your acceptance, your imagination, your encouragement, and listening love. Thank you, Lay, and happy birthday! I love you!

Mother's day

Thank you to all the mothers in my life, and especially to my outstanding Mother:

As mothers in Israel, we are the Lord’s secret weapon. Our influence comes from a divine endowment that has been in place from the beginning. In the pre-mortal world, when our Father described our role, I wonder if we didn’t stand in wide-eyed wonder that He would bless us with a sacred trust so central to His plan and that He would endow us with gifts so vital to the loving and leading of His children. I wonder if we shouted for joy at least in part because of the ennobling stature He gave us in His kingdom. The world won’t tell you that, but the Spirit will.

--Sister Sheri Dew

She is a co-partner with God in bringing His spirit children into the world. What a glorious concept! No greater honor could be given. With this honor comes the tremendous responsibility of living and caring for those children so they might learn their duty as citizens and what they must do to return to their Heavenly Father... A mother has far greater influence on her children than anyone else has, and she must realize that every word she speaks, every act, every response, her attitude, even her appearance and manner of dress, affect the lives of her children and the whole family.

--President N. Eldon Tanner

What a glorious mother's day we had!!

 Jared rose early and made us delicious banana wheat muffins from scratch. We made a mess and all ate them together in our bed. Stuart kept eating them, down at the kitchen table. 

Church was delightful. Jared was asked to teach primary and work with the 11 year old scouts, and that always makes me happy. I am so excited for him. The classes were excellent and at the end the young men gave homemade strawberry jam to all the women. We took it home and ate it immediately on some bread. The store-bought bread was seriously lacking, but the jam was amazing!

Jared made us an amazing BBQ chicken for dinner. He worked so hard on this! He cut the meat off the whole chicken before cooking it. He made his own BBQ sauce, and cooked it in the oven with soaked wood chips and it came out outstanding. It went so well with corn on the cob. We ate outside on our deck and the weather could not have been better. Gorgeous. 

Thank you, Jared, for making my day perfect. You made me feel loved and beautiful through words, service, snuggles, food, and worship. Thank you. I wouldn't be a mother without you, Jared. Thank you for giving me Stuart and the lady and for making my day so incredible. I love you!

Peeling bananas

Independence in a child is really important to me. I've tried to allow Stuart to do as many things for himself that he can. Here is one little example (to share with Grma) of him peeling his own banana and working on those fine motor skills. Muy bien hecho, mijo!

We're having a baby....

drum roll please.....

A GIRL! 

Yay! Stuart gets a little sister, and Jared and I get a little lady. We are very excited. Now that my family knows, I can tell the interwebs. Stuart was the first person we told, of course.

I have heard this combination of kids called "a rich man's family" because we have to buy stuff for a boy and then all over again for a girl. Lucky us, however, my older sister had a girl first one month before Stu was born and now is having a boy just a couple months before our lady will arrive. So we plan to swap clothes and save money and time. Phew! Heaven knows we are limited on both. 

So, life is good and we feel very lucky to welcome a lady to the O household. God is good. And there were no problems found during the rest of the appointment. She is very active already and a whopping 10 oz! So tiny. Then why is my belly so big already? :) I know, I know. She is not the only thing in there making me expand. Just saying. 

Jared took the day off to go to my appointments with me and we celebrated with a family lunch and nap (and a trip to the DMV). Now that's how it's done.... :)

just because

Stuart's world: trains, trucks, cars, planes, blocks and balls. He is such a good independent kid and gets such enjoyment from new toys (like the below train; thank you Karen!) and new activities (like the rocking chair race). 

Although Jared and I are both hovering in both these videos, we are not usually right there watching. Most of the day Stu plays just great alone. I am so grateful he had a lot of independent time as an infant.

Linus and maternity clothes

We have our very own Linus in the O family. He might need an intervention one day to deal with the separation from his beloved blanket. He loves to drag it with him around the house (and deck) and it needs a wash very often. Despite my attempts to throw it back in his crib for later, he always finds it, pulls it through the bed rails and takes it with him on his next adventure. :) Love this kid!

 Like our little potted garden on the deck? Chives from last year, cherry tomatoes, basil, tiny summer squash (to be transferred to the ground soon), and parsley. The deck gets more sun than the earth below.... 

Finally, it has happened at last. I got out the maternity tote. I had to put on the pants this week. At 20 weeks I guess it's ok. I had JUST woken up when we took this picture. Yikes. Sleepy head. 

Well there you have it. The baby belly. 

Stay tuned. Tomorrow we find out the gender!!!

Happy birthday Mara and Liz!!

This is so shamefully late. I am so sorry my dear friends. You both know I thought of you on your special days, because you both heard from me. I cannot explain how crazy this past month has been in our household. Unpacking, cleaning, morning sickness, viruses, finals, visiting family, church assignments, meeting neighbors, new gardens, gas leak emergency, the list goes on. I hope you will forgive my terrible timeline. 

First, Ms. Mara. I chose this picture because when I think of Mara I think of Jesus. Weird? Hopefully not. Mara, you love Jesus and it shows. You study him, you live like him, you love like him, and you have helped me do the same. You inspire so much goodness in me, but in the time that I have known and loved you, this is the gift I admire and appreciate the most. Thank you for your dedicated life, and for helping mold mine. Happy (very late) birthday, Mara. I love you!

Mara and her husband at the SLC visitor's center. 

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Next, Liz celebrated her birthday. Liz, this picture makes me so happy. And so do you! Every memory I have of you over the last decade + makes me so happy. Impossible? I think not. Even the sad, uncomfortable, awkward, forgettable, and regrettable memories. How can that be, you ask? 

Who knows where this picture was taken, but it needs no caption. :)

Because of you! I mean, just look at that face. All my Liz memories have happy endings because you are the  kind of person that makes sure that everything that could be unfavorable still has a happy ending. I made mistakes; you forgave me. I was sad; you made me laugh. I was sunburned; you rubbed my back with aloe vera. We disagreed; you understood. I judged; you taught me to accept. And again, you forgave and continue to love me. I seriously owe so much goodness to you. If only we lived closer to one another. Happy (very late) birthday, Liz. I love you! And hallelujah! I am coming to your wedding!! Ah!

Happy birthday Deborah!

To my dearest Deborah Diane,

Happy birthday, love. I am so sorry it is weeks late. Lame. I know.

Deborah, I am so glad that you were born. If you were not my life would be missing so much love, laughter, and learning. Thank you for being my friend from my first awkward moments in the SW program. I needed your friendship and you gave it so willingly. Thank you for sitting next to me, giggling with me and studying with me. Thank you for teaching me about forgiveness, compassion, and acceptance. Thank you for sharing your passion for adoption, counseling, and beauty. I know you are only like a minute younger than me, but being with you keeps me young. Younger than I would be otherwise. Thank you for celebrating my successes and for mourning my losses. Thank you for loving my family. Thank you for going on adventures with me. I may have missed Brittany's wedding if you weren't around. Thank you for giving me rides and calls and visits to VA when I so needed them. Thank you for inviting me to be with you in the temple. Thank you for sharing your spirit, passions, jokes, family, love, and snuggles with me. I love you and am so privileged to be your friend. Happy (belated) birthday, love!!

Happy Birthday mom and dad!

Although this comes weeks after the joyous celebration, it is no less sincere. Sorry for the delay, padres. Thank you Mom and Dad for giving me an outstanding foundation for a secure and successful life.

My mom continues to give me life-long unconditional love despite any mistakes I make. She gives me the best example of sacrifice for her family and friends. She loves people far more than things or selfish time alone. She has always given me a listening ear; a treasure that I can't even begin to describe in importance. Thank you, mom!

My Dad makes for a beautiful compliment to my tender, child-like mama. His greatest gifts to me include his love for the gospel of Jesus Christ and his encouragement to analyze the world closely. His passion for studying and teaching the scriptures will always be the greatest heritage he could have given me. Thank you, dad!

Together they have given me the security of their committed marriage and friendship. I couldn't have been given better parents. I love you both. Happy (belated) birthdays!!

Easter & other April adventures

Playing in the fountain

Decorating Easter eggs

National Zoo field trip - the lions were my favorite!

Up close. Stuart has been making monkey noises and signing "monkey" ever since.

We look "photoshoped"

Practicing an egg hunt in the front yard in preparation for the BIG hunt the next day. He still sometimes says "egg"  pointing to all the places they used to hide.

The BIG hunt at Brenda's house. Stu was the smallest kid there so he got a head start. Rick thought he was SO funny with this little trick.

17 eggs total!

Our Easter decorations at home. The homemade bunny basket Jared used as a kid.  His siblings all have one in their own color. 

My favorite decoration, by far! Jared's mom gave this to us to keep. His little face used to decorate their house growing up, and now it adorns ours. He was such a cute kid!! No wonder Stuart's a heart breaker. 

 Our Easter week also included watching lots of Easter movies about Jesus, listening to talks and lessons about Jesus' life, and preparing sacrament meeting talks for our new ward (aka congregation). Jared and I spoke on Easter Sunday, which also was the first Sunday we had ever attended our new church! They wasted no time in getting to know us. Although the request was unconventional, it made my Easter extra special. 

A daily occurrence.

"Just helping daddy move the dresser." My boys are such a good team!

Home ownership

My apologies for the radio static this last month. I neglected to share our other huge news, in addition to our baby-on-the-way. Of course, as our family grows we need more space. We had been looking for months for a home to buy and we finally moved 4 weeks ago! It is official. We are homeowners and, therefore, cannot avoid adulthood any longer. 

Here is the mess in our little apartment before the move. 

And below you get a preview of the house. These were taken the weekend we moved in. More to come when it is all set up! Stay tuned!

below: the living room, as seen from the second floor "draw bridge", as Jared calls it because it leads to our master suite and nothing else. It is all ours.

 Stu's room

The "draw bridge" and loft office upstairs, as seen from the living room. (Don't worry. That giant hole in the wall won't stay that hideous forever.) 

 Basement play room! Woot!

 Finally, the deck.

And there it is! A little preview with more to come as we set up house. Or at least mostly set up. We LOVE being in our own home with lots of space! However, home ownership is not all roses. We have already worked through some painful thorns. Our lessons learned is a thought for another day. Thanks for looking. 

Any advice for new home owners?