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.

Mankind

My older brother, David, came to visit me the other night. We talked about all kinds of things, meaningful and not. Theater, the church, community, kids, life, money - it was wonderful. For some ridiculous logic that even I don't understand, I tend to shut people out. Almost all people. David stopped by and made me talk to a person, a person I really like, and I am super glad.

I just finished a remarkable book called Tuesdays with Morrie. It is a true story. A story that pierced one of my numerous walls. Here is one of many great quotes in the book: "So many people walk around with a meaningless life. They seem half-asleep, even when they're busy doing things they think are important. This is because they're chasing the wrong things. The way you get meaning into your life is to devote yourself to loving others, devote yourself to your community around you, and devote yourself to creating something that gives you purpose and meaning."

We were put on this earth to be together, not alone. The insights I received by hanging out with David, the way I felt when I read the words of Morrie Schwatz- these aren't things I could have experienced as a solitary being on Earth. We are all here together, mankind, for a reason.

Trying not to Whine

It's been a long weekend and I've had time to notice that my children whine a lot. It was really beginning to bother me until I realized that children learn from their parents... looking inward, I realized that I am a bit of a whiner as well.

Pregnancy is sort of a rough time of life. Summer is a bit hard when your swamp cooler only helps to get things down to 81 degrees. Money in general is super crummy, always. And then the usual bugs, chores, poopy diapers, yadda yadda. I have been whining probably non stop to Ben. So the kids naturally follow in Mommy's footsteps.

So I am turning over a new leaf. If I envision and create an environment conducive to happiness, I believe happiness will flow into my life. I am going to write down in my journal EVERY DAY something that I am grateful for. Something joyful and good in my life. Here is my list for today:

1. I am grateful to be pregnant. There is a baby coming, and regardless of how long this lasts, I am grateful that Heavenly Father has entrusted this spirit with me even this long. It is a gift and a blessing to me.
2. I am grateful for popsicles, ice cube trays, and running water. Also for all of my large appliances that work wonderfully well.
3. I am so so glad that Ben has a job. The few times in our marriage when we have not had a job are times I would never choose to re-live. Employment is sweet and comfortable and I am so grateful.
4. Bugs in our house are never bigger than I can squoosh. I've heard in some countries this is not the case.
5. Last for today, I am so so grateful for family and friends. Anyone who has ever shown me love or kindness EVER. I cannot live a solitary existence as much as I think I can. I need people. I really do.

Day one of inviting happiness into my heart. Taking a lesson from Laman and Lemuel: Murmuring never was happiness.

Number Three

Yes, three - there's a baby a comin'.

January 23, 2009, we are expecting yet another blonde bundle of joy. (Ok, so an ultrasound can't really reveal hair color.) But based on Taesya and Canon, I think we can safely expect an attractive child. An energetic child. One with a lot to say. No known gender yet, but we're just excited that everything is going well. Momma and baby are healthy as can be.

I wanted to say Congrats to Leslie King on the baby boy to come! And also to Jenilyn Petersen, who is expecting a baby girl!

Life vs. Love

The kids were sleeping over at Grandma's, and we'd just finished eating peanut butter sandwiches and crackers for dinner. The sun was setting as we wrapped ourselves up in blankets and watched Ryan Shupe and the Rubberband. We've attending their concert at the Sandy Ampitheater year after year since we were dating, so this is nothing out of the ordinary. But in the first few minutes of the show I remembered, like someone had hit me in the back of the head, I remembered that I love Ben. Don't laugh because honestly, I had forgotten.

Life is full of ten billion unimportant things. They seem urgent to us, but in the eternal scheme of things, most of it doesn't matter. So I fill up my day, try my best to get by, and some days, don't even look Ben in the eye before the day is done. I can't believe I let it get this bad! Don't get me wrong, we're not unhappy with each other, but we'd forgotten about one another.

It took a date for me to remember. A great date full of our favorite music. Ryan Shupe's songs are so well written and so beautiful. Some hit a sentimental note, reminding us of years ago, and some make us laugh at the "2-year old attitude" in our home. It was a wonderful concert and I was there with the most wonderful man. I had the best looking date of anyone there. He really is a gift in my life. So I'm thinking that we should keep up this dating thing. It's a good way to remind us that love should shadow life not the other way around. I love you, Ben. I really really do.