My Life in 10 Images

My friend, Kalie, tagged me and I did my best to take some pics. Forgive the blurry-ness. Nothing was cleaned or dressed up in the making of this blog entry.

1. I collect...

I love fun purses and bags. It's a rare purchase, but it's an outlet for my colorful creative side.

2. One of my obsessions is...

Obsession/Cravings... I love chocolate right now. Chocolate chips, frosting on graham crackers, double fudge ice cream... Oh, and pumpkin chocolate chip cookies.

3. My ride...

2000 Toyota Sienna that we bought when Ben started at Red Olive. It's the nicest car we've ever owned and it has improved my life as a mother immensely.

4. Self-Portrait

The real, tired, pregnant Amber. Hey, but look, I'm smiling.

5. I'm procrastinating...

I painted this shelf for Taesya and I was really pleased with how it turned out. But the Canon shelf has yet to be started, and now there's a Keller coming?!? Man, I am behind.

6. Favorite Room

Our Bedroom is the cleanest room in the house and the one that makes me feel most calm. When I grow up, my favorite room will be the library, with floor to ceiling bookshelves and a comfy couch with end table and lamp. That is my dream.

7. Our backyard

Perfect size for our family, we really like our backyard. We were just given a swing set, too, so things are getting homier.

8. One of my favorite things that I can tell you all about is...

Microsoft Excel. I am a total Excel nerd. I use it for everything: money, schedules, grocery lists, calendars, primary. I use Excel a lot. And last night in class I actually learned a few more things to love about it. Two words: fill handle.

9. My closet...

Packed with things I cannot wear. One of the joys of pregnancy. My shoes are kind of organized, though.

10. The item I can't live without is...

At the end of a long day, I collapse into my lovesac and curl up with my Davis Darts blanket. (At the end of a long day, though, the children would not be in this picture.) Comfort is a rarity for me and these two comforts are essential.

That's the end of my little photo album. I tag Leslie, David, Jenilyn, and Nicki. If you've got time, I'd love to see the images of your lives. Have a great day everyone!

Surrounded

Not a long or profound post, but an important one nonetheless:

I am grateful out the wazoo for the people in my life. Friends are stinkin' great. And family is amazing. And right now, today, I need to broadcast that I am blessed with the best family and friends. The fact that people actually think about me... blows my mind. I am a lucky lucky woman.

And p.s. my husband is pretty darn great, too.

The Bare Minimum

Elder M. Russell Ballard said that the joy of motherhood comes in moments. If I graded this day as a whole, it would not pass as a "good day." So here are the moments:

1. Canon, Taesya, and I cooking dinner together. Canon washed the potatoes and carrots, I peeled and chopped, Taesya put it all in the crockpot and mixed. The three of us lined up making beef stew; it was like a commercial.

2. Hearing them laugh together in the bathtub. Happy laughing, no one crying. I just watched and smiled.

3. Taesya said, in the nicest voice, "Mom, can I please have a graham cracker to eat outside?"

So I'm clinging to the moments cuz sometimes that's all I have. Take a deep breath and count down till bedtime. Hopefully somewhere in their little prayers they'll say thank you for mommy tonight.

Having a Bad Day

I am super grumpy today. Things are going terribly. And I have lost all motivation to make it better. Can't we just go to bed now and start over tomorrow? (It's 2 o'clock in the afternoon, so probably not.) Some days are just crummy. Seriously.

Fall-a-holic

Everything about this season makes me so excited and happy. In a totally uncool, little kid, giddy sort of a way.


Fall is such a beautiful season. I can't wait till we get to rake up leaves together as a family. (pic found on Markolopia.blogspot.com)


I love decorating with pumpkins. But with little kids, carving is kindof a challenge. We've tried painting them, drawing on them - I'm not sure what the plan will be this year. A candle-lit jack-o-lantern is one of my favorite things. (pic from kkchamberlain.blogspot.com)


Halloween 2007 was so great! The kids, a monster and a princess, loved riding around in the wagon and collecting their very own treats.

Oh I love Fall. Sweaters, memories, birthday candles, pumpkin flavored treats - Mmmm, my favorite time of year.

Baby Progress!

We buckled down and made a decision. The baby's name is Keller. I heard it at Murray Park the other day and later found out it means "dear friend." He has a name and I am relieved: Keller Davis Peck.

This week, my mom got me thinking about this baby's arrival. She moved her comfy rocking chair to the family room, saying she wants to be able to rock the baby there. What baby? I said. Oh mine?!? I started to think, 'He's actually coming.' And I got excited! So we named him, and went on a tiny shopping spree: new binkies, newborn diapers, and the softest blue and brown pjs to bring him home from the hospital in. Makes me want to hold him so bad, but his little kicks will have to do for now.

I'm excited for Keller to come. I'm not worried about the boy thing anymore; boys and girls are each their own basket of fun and trials. But it really feels like a gift when Heavenly Father sends a baby. Like He trusts you to take care of something so new and small. I know I'll be ready, not that I'm an expert, but I'm really glad to be so blessed with the chance to try. So Blessed.

Doing their part

Canon and Taesya attended the "Night Out Against Crime." I thought this picture was cute. I'm glad we're living where we are. I've never felt so much like I matter to a community, or to a ward. I want to be a positive influence in this area, and teach that to my kids, as well.

The Name Game

Amber Amber Bo Bamber Banana Fanna Fo Famber Mi My Mo Mamber - AMBER! (Take a second to sing your version of the name game, it will make you smile.)

The 20 week ultrasound was Wednesday; everything looked great! And we are having a boy. I'm glad, pleased... Boys are a little tough for me. Well, Canon being almost two years old is tough for me. We just aren't the best of friends right now. But when he's sleeping, or when he's actually clean, or saying "lub you" -- Those moments I can handle.

Usually we have a name solidified withing 24 hours after the gender reveal, but this time we are stumped. We have names, lists and lists and lists of names, but after 3 or 4 days of systematically analyzing each one - here we are nameless. So, if you have any suggestions... Our requirements are as follows:

1. Name must fit an infant, a teenager, and a fully grown adult.
2. Less common names get bonus points.

Any genius ideas would be appreciated. But honestly, we've got time. As everyone keeps telling me - Plenty of Time.

And I Miss You

Ben is at Scout Camp, somewhere in the mountains. He's hiking, fishing, and eating dry foods.

We are still here, where we always are. Playing, working, getting by better than I thought we could without him.

But I miss that Ben guy. I've grown accustomed to his face. I don't know the last time I went so long without even a phone call from him. Even though he drives me nuts sometimes, I sure wish he'd come back and never leave again. But honestly, it's good to know that I can do it on my own. (Not financially, of course.) But now I know I can survive, that if I lean on Heavenly
Father, I can do just fine.

Some defining moments in my life: Pioneer Trek, AP Calculus, and Scout Camp 2008

Dream

It was a boy. He was so tiny and adorable and quiet. I was just going about my life carrying him around when he showed some interest in the red punch Taesya was drinking. She gave some to him and he drank like a child dying of thirst. Then it hit me - I hadn't fed him. When was the last time I had? What day was it? We'd been home from the hospital a week already!?! I only remember feeding him once.

So I fed that sweet little boy and he fell asleep satisfied. But it just ripped out my heart that he had suffered in silence for so long. What a terrible mother I was. Living my life like normal while my son was starving...

*** These are the dreams you have when you're pregnant. This was my first one this time around. When I woke up I just held Taesya and patted her hair while she watched tv. Am I ready for this new baby? Parenthood scares the heck out of me sometimes.