Family Picture

What a victory! I'm sure we're not the only ones who are totally faking the happy smiles in our family photos. After calling someone to take the picture, finding a date/time that works, shopping for clothes, getting ready, finding the right spot, and trying to stay happy and calm so no one is crying in the picture, I am SO glad to have a picture of our family.

We've always wanted to have a picture taken in the desert, so here's our "Tucson Memorial" photo.

Thank you Brittany, for being our "professional" photographer! You did a great job!

Climbing on the rocks on the side of Mt. Lemmon was the best part!

I love this smile and her hair that has finally grown a little.

I think we're about done....

Last picture!

The best part was after taking pictures on a Saturday morning, we went to our church Christmas party that night and came home with a few injuries. Trevor came home with a black eye and Haley cut her lip from running around with the other kids. Great timing!

Langosta!

Here's our first attempt at a home-cooked lobster. I hope you follow these same steps if you decide to try it yourself:

1. Let the critters out of the bag to crawl around for a while.

2. Don't le the lobsters get too close to mom or she'll scream and scare the kids.

(I think Haley thought we had just found the biggest cockroaches in the world and were crazy to keep them in the house.)

3. Show off those big claws!

4. Drop into the big pot of boiling water...

5. Ta da! A delicious, home-cooked lobster dinner.

(I think this might be our last attempt. The mess inside the lobster was a little much for me. I'll just order a tail at a restaurant the next time I'm feeling a little fancy. They can take care of the dissection.)

Everyone Needs Someone Nice

I haven't been the "new guy" very often in my life. I lived in the same city until going away to college and have lived in Tucson since then with many of the same friends when I was single and married.

In the few weeks we've been away from home, it's made me realize how important it is to stop and be friendly. Even if you think you have nothing in common with a person you meet, maybe they just need someone to talk to. That sounds like we've been over here crying in our apartment because we're so lonely, which isn't true, but the people who have welcomed us I've been so grateful for.

Our first week here was rough as we got settled: sick kids, driving back and forth to Boston to figure out our rental car, adjusting bedtimes and naps to time changes and a few cold and rainy days. When we left for church that first Sunday I prayed that we would find friends--someone to talk to and someone for our kids to play with.

We met several families who were also working at the hospital. Some were attending doctors who had been in Portland for years and others had moved there recently for residency. When one family invited us over for dinner that night, I was so relieved! It was nice that we did have some things in common, but I wouldn't have cared if it had been otherwise.

Birch's sister was also so helpful when we first arrived. She picked us up from the airport in Boston and took us to her house where a hot dinner was ready. We borrowed her car for that night until our rental was ready and she sent us away with a bag of breakfast food for the morning and snacks for the kids. We didn't tell her what we needed and she didn't ask--she just decided to help.

I hope that I can be better about welcoming people and inviting them to do things without worrying about details. I usually run through my list of excuses: we have kids and they don't, our kids aren't the same age or gender, the food I made isn't my best, our house isn't clean enough to have people over, etc. And if I see someone who could use some help I have excuses for that too--usually wondering if what I have to offer isn't what they really need.

Now I can see that these things don't matter. Even though the gestures were helpful to us, I mostly appreciated people taking time from their "busy" lives to think about someone else.

Back to the Homeland

We always tell people that Birch and I grew up in Flagstaff, but his family didn't move there until he was 8. Before that he lived in Maine, which was one of the reasons we decided to do a rotation here.

Here he is with his namesake--Birch trees. I'll admit, I didn't even know what a Birch tree looked like until this trip.

This weekend Birch's parents came to visit us and went to see his sister Marie and her family in Boston. We took a mini road trip around Maine on Saturday, visiting the places they knew when they lived here.

At Bar Harbor, we found the trail where they would hike as a family--a perfect .3 mile hike that was quite a climb! It was nice and short (great for kids) but you felt like you had done some work to get to the top.

At the top of the trail overlooking the ocean--gorgeous!

We made it to Orono to see their old house, which Birch's dad built himself. There have been some changes but it's pretty much the same.

I was surprised at the fun things Birch could remember about playing at this house as we walked around the yard. Even though I've known him since we were kids, I don't know much about when he lived in Maine. I feel like I learned another piece about him this weekend and I understand better why he loves this area.

Spice-Free Cooking

I'm trying to buy as few groceries as possible while we're here. I hate throwing away food and we won't have the space to take home very many leftovers from the pantry. I thought about bringing some spices when I was packing but didn't get to it. So I'm trying to think of dinner recipes that require as few ingredients as possible.

Here's what we've had so far. Any other ideas?

BBQ chicken

Spaghetti

Canned soup & cornbread/grilled cheese

Fajitas

Hawaiian Haystacks

Teriyaki Chicken

Sites for Parents and Sites for Kids

This weekend we got out to see a few sights around Portland. It's funny how your list of things to see changes with kids.

Our first stop was a lighthouse. This one, Head Light, claims to be the most photographed lighthouse in the US. Does it look familiar? I was a little jealous when I saw how many people were running past this lighthouse on their morning run. Wouldn't it be amazing to have a view like this when you're working out?

The kids are doing SO well with the cold. They think mittens are the coolest thing!

On Friday we made it to the Children's Museum for their Free Friday Night. After watching the families there I feel like this town is very granola. My perception is also skewed because the closest grocery store to our apartment is Whole Foods. It makes me feel like I need to be Super Mom all the time. If anyone saw me giving my kids an Oreo we'd probably be kicked out of town.

One day we needed to get out of the house but didn't want to brave the cold again. Birch's idea was Cabela's, which I was a little skeptical about. It turned out to be perfect for the kids! As long as you don't have any major reservations with hunting, it's pretty much a free zoo. I've been in a Cabela's before but I don't remember the displays being this impressive. Haley walked around roaring at all the animals.

Settling

Our first few days here were a little rough. What I hadn't prepared for was the time zone change. I don't think we were really used to a new schedule until after three days. And that's only with a 3-hour time difference! I don't know how people do it who travel to a different part of the world with kids. Trevor has been very loyal to the new time--he wakes up at 6am no matter what. Haley, on the other hand, wouldn't move until at least 9am (6am Arizona time, can you blame her?) She's slowly adapting.

We're also getting used to having one car. When planning this trip we pictured the kids and I dropping Birch off in the morning and doing whatever we wanted until it was time to pick him up. But since we have been needing more sleep, we haven't been up to take him yet. So instead we've been busy exploring the neighborhood. Luckily I love our apartment and the part of town we're in. We're right on the coast, with only a park between us and the water. There's a path that goes by our apartment called the Eastern Promenade (I don't think I'm fancy enough to run on a promenade, but I've gone out anyway). And we're on the edge of downtown so we can get to shops or the library when we want to on foot.

Here's a picture of the view from our place:

Trevor with a stick--his favorite toy in Maine. They're great for fighting bad guys and poking leaves.

At first Haley kept pointing out the window to show me the mess outside. Maybe we'll get that girl a leaf-blower and put her to work!

My favorite place in the neighborhood--the bakery. It's not cheap, but sooo worth it!

Ready to Fly

Tomorrow morning we're braving a plane ride across the country to Maine!

A few months ago Birch decided to go into anesthesiology and this week he'll start an anesthesia rotation in Portland. It didn't sound fun to be alone for a month so the kids and I are going with him. I don't think Portland will look this perfect in November but I'm really excited to try living somewhere new. If we can just make it through 5 hours in the air with kids first....

Patches and Porches

We went to Agua Linda farm for our pumpkin this year. I loved that it was much less commercial than places we've gone before. It was a sweet little farm with trees, tire swings and animals in the barn. We were only a little disappointed when we found pre-cut pumpkins all perfectly shaped in the field. We're a little suspicious about where they really came from...

Making our way through the kid-friendly hay maze.

The easy way out of the maze.

Haley with a "neigh!"

Another stop was Apple Annie's orchard. Trevor couldn't remember how to say "orchard" so he called it the "apple porch."

When you don't fall asleep in the car anymore, you get tired and grumpy. No smiles from Haley.

Happy Fall!

Back in the Saddle Again

Before Trevor was born I taught 4th grade for 2 1/2 years. I loved it. It was in the Vail School District with strong families and teachers who became great friends. Leaving that job made me feel so torn and I wished I could live two lives: one teaching school and another as a mom. But I remember driving home on my last day and feeling at peace. Instead of conflicted, I felt grateful that I had that time to pursue something I really enjoyed.

After 3+ years, teaching has come around again. I started teaching preschool with my friend at her house two days a week. Haley naps in the morning and I teach six 4-year-olds while Trevor enjoys his class with my friend in the 3-year-old class. We're teaching the older class some beginning reading and I'm surprised at how much I love it! Sometimes I dream about going back for a Master's when Birch is done with school. I would be a Reading Specialist.

A few months ago I was called to be the Primary president in our ward. I'm not sure what to say about that...it's a lot of work and I've made some great friends with the other teachers. Birch has been so helpful with the kids if I'm gone or tired after a long Sunday. Sometimes the roles do switch!

Here's my one and only piano student, Erik. I've never taught lessons before and asked if Erik would let me practice on him. So far, so good! Maybe one of these days we'll have a little recital so he can show off his skills.

Lost or Stolen?

Sometimes I wonder if "lost" and "stolen" mean the same thing in Tucson. Lately I've had a bad streak of not keeping track of things and they've disappeared. The worst was my new camera, only a few weeks old and holding a memory card with quite a few pictures. Here are a few snapped with Birch's camera:

Haley requires a "bath" in the sink after every meal. I think this time she was also enjoying a new pretzel M&M--yum!

Trevor and Haley's favorite game (that is now banned): filling up the crib with all their toys. I guess I got something done while they were hard at work.

Poor Trevor inherited his mom's big head. Hats always look a little small on us, even when they're on all the way.

Learning how to blow bubbles--yuck!

Playing in the creek after a little hike in Madera Canyon.

Trying to Try

One of the things that frustrates me about myself is I'm afraid to try new things. I don't mean a new dinner at a restaurant or a different route home but a new project. Usually what happens is I get an idea, I'm excited about it....and then I think. And think. And think more and more, hoping that if I think long enough I'll get the idea just right so that when I actually do it, there's nothing that could possibly go wrong. Well, of course, something inevitably goes wrong and I tell myself it's okay because I thought as long as I could.

Example: I've been planning a quiet book for a year or two now. I've drawn designs for the pages, bought fabric and notions but I can't make myself actually sit down and sew. I know I'm going to make lots of mistakes and get frustrated.

But why can't I just try something without thinking for so long and not care if it doesn't turn out well? I've decided to do better, so here's my latest project: piano lessons!

I'm no concert pianist but I know enough that I can teach a beginner. I thought about it for a few weeks and then took the plunge and asked friends if their son would take lessons. They said yes and today we met for the first time. I remembered how much I like teaching children and using a part of my brain that I haven't in a while, even having kids.

I've also thought about taking a quilting class for a long time but hadn't signed up because of some silly excuse. Now I've decided there will never be a convenient time so I picked a date anyway and it's going to be fine.

I hope this motivation will last a while and I can get more things accomplished instead of adding to the list of Things to Do or for me, Things to Think About.

Mom Textbooks?

I have a hard time buying books. I love getting rid of things I don't use so unless it's one of my favorites or I know I will use often, I won't buy it. Plus, why drop $10-20 on a book when there's a free library system to use? We do have two full bookshelves in our house but I've only read a few of the books on them more than once. Here are a few:

The Scarlet Pimpernel: This is probably my favorite novel. Thanks to the Campbell Ward book club for introducing me to this one.

I bought this before Trevor was born and still use it sometimes. It lists baby topics alphabetically and I like that "encyclopedia" style.

Lately I have been wanting to buy more parenting books so I can easily read about something when I need it rather than wait for the library reserve system. I thought about the money they would cost and the space they would take up at home. But then I remembered Birch's textbooks (and mine, even though most are in storage). Feeling justified, I bought another "mom textbook," Love and Logic. I've read it before but want to read parts again.

I think my friend Kat recommended this book and I like what I've read so far. I had to return it to the library before finishing because of that darn reserve system so this might be my next purchase.

What parenting books do you own or wish you did?

Exhausting Day of Rest

This year our church changed from meeting at 9:00am to 1:00pm. I can't believe how worn out I am just from a simple time change! It's not missing naps that's so hard--it's keeping the kids entertained ALL morning long, waiting until it's time to leave. I miss the good old days of sleeping in and making a big breakfast when we had late church and no kids. :)

But why is it different from any other day? I've had days when I don't go anywhere and I'm happy to stay around the house. I think it's the stress of having everyone clean, looking nice, packing extra stuff, timing naps (which never works) and not getting outside.

Today I also substituted as the pianist in Primary. I'll admit, I've secretly wanted that job for a long time. It would give me a reason to practice and I would get to play fun songs with kids. But this afternoon when I sat down to play I was surprised at how nervous I was! I didn't have a lot of time to practice this weekend when I was asked to subsitute, but still. No one likes to sing with the piano stumbling in the background.

The one good thing about today was the crockpot. After a hectic day, nothing is better than coming home to food that is ready to eat. We tried a new recipe called Creamy Basil Chicken and it was tasty!

Playing Cards

In about six weeks I'll be running in a Ragnar Relay. It's an overnight race, 200+ miles split between a team of twelve people. I'm excited to run something new and to have a team of people to enjoy it with.

The part that's killing me is consistently training. In the past when I've trained for a race I've been able to balance the hard workouts with recovery days. It usually went something like this:

Sunday: off
Monday: long run
Tuesday: short run or pool
Wednesday: speed or hills
Thursday: short run or pool
Friday: off
Saturday: any workout

The Ragnar website has workouts and training plans posted so it should be easy to just look and see what to run each day. But working around the schedules of a baby, toddler, and husband in school has made it a bit more complicated.

What I've been doing is looking at an entire week to the four or five workouts I need to get in. Then one day at a time, I see what works with our schedule that day. Like I'm just playing a game of cards and throwing down whatever card I can play.

This means that there isn't always a balance with working hard and recovering. Last week ended up like this:

Monday: easy run with jogger
Tuesday: sick kids, no running
Wednesday: easy run with jogger
Thursday: hill workout (by myself, yeah!)
Friday/Saturday: 3 runs in 24 hours (8 miles, with kids & alone)

I'm hoping nothing gets injured. :) I'm also amazed at the moms I hear about who run marathons and with more kids than I have. How do they do it? Get up way too early and run? Hire a babysitter so they can work out? Not for me.

I am glad to have something to work on, a goal or a project, I guess. Even though training can be a pain I know I'll be happy when we cross that finish line.

But Mom, She Likes It!

This is our latest trick: Trevor holds Haley by the feet and drags her on the carpet around the house.

I'm always worried that Trevor will bang her head against something. But whenever I tell him to stop, Haley is on the floor laughing.

Let's hope there's not a future post with any blood in it.