I am so excited that today was the day we got our family photos back! I will no longer have to answer why Olivia isn’t in our family picture above the fireplace, because now she’s there. Just this morning she was pointing out everybody in the old photo. I asked her where she was and she gave me a puzzled look – not anymore! I know what you’re thinking – isn’t Jodi prego with another little one in the oven? Yes, this photo was out of date even as it was taken, but I am so happy to have Olivia in the pic that it is worth the expiration. A family photo is priceless to me, hence the excitement. By the way, our photographer was my friend Alana Lerwill. What a talented person – you should check out her other photos by clicking on her name! She is so awesome and patient with four crazy children! It is a miracle that we got a picture with everyone looking in the same direction. She is being so awesome to let me post these on our blog and share them with you all. Come on over to our home to see the great sepia-toned head shots of all of the kiddies in person- they turned out fabulous!!!! Of course I’m not biased or anything…
Chocolate
I love the fact that the weather is changing, because now I get to drink my beloved hot chocolate more often! This little addiction surfaced when I worked in Jackson Hole, WY the summer after I graduated from high school. After a long day of work my friends and I would stop by LeeJay’s Sportsman Cafe and have a cup of “chwoclate” complete with whipped topping! It really does warm my heart and make me smile. Swiss Miss makes a delicious one and it’s sugar-free! Have you had one lately?
Sister’s Day
Sister’s Day. A day to remember the sisters of our family. Of course if you keep track of our family you know that this day originated with Mason’s inquiry after mother’s and father’s day – wondering why there wasn’t a brother’s or sister’s day. So now at our house we have both. Sister’s day is on the second Sunday of September. As a mother I am full of pride and jubilee as my children spew forth their love for one another (if only momentarily). We were honored to have the Parker Parents over for dinner and the girls felt all warm and fuzzy on their special day. Just a side note – I really feel badly that I didn’t call my one and only sister on this day. She is truly the best. She has always looked out for all of us siblings in our family. Always remembering special days and occasions and giving me personal therapy sessions whenever I call with concerns or problems. I am one lucky little sister to have her around! She is very forgiving when you spill red punch on her white couch, or your child writes with permanent marker on her child’s one and only baptism book, or there was that time that I spilled hot chocolate in her brand new van or when Mason wrote with permanent marker on the big screen T.V. She has given my family ooodles of hospitality throughout the years and my kids just adore her as much as I do!
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Top of Utah Marathon
You would think I would remember how hard it is to run a Marathon having just run one 3 weeks ago. Must be like having a baby you forget the pain but remember the joy of success. Today was the Top of Utah Marathon (Logan Marathon). What a run, I definitely should have ran more in the last few weeks at least once would have been better than nothing, because I was feeling it today. Very beautiful scenery and run though. Thanks for the support Mom and Dad. Dad ran a few miles just taking pictures, and course Mom fed me (some grapes) to keep me going. The highlight of the run was the last 3 miles when Alexis decided to finish the race with me. These are the moments that I will forever treasure, she was such a trooper running a 8 1/2 minute mile with me. It was such a boost to see her not give up even when I wanted to. Thanks Alexis for making the run worth the previous 23 miles.
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4-H
THIS YEAR I TOOK A 4-H SEWING CLASS. IT WAS FUN!I MADE A PAIR OF SHORTS.THEY ARE VERY COLORFUL!I PUT THEM TO THE MADISON COUNTY FAIR,AND I WON A BLUE RIBBON! YAY ME!
Soccer 2007
Lily has made a new wonderful friend, Bryn Hatch! They are very cute together and have lots of fun. They were on the same soccer team. As parents I think sometimes we make a lot of assumptions. We (Stephen and I) thought Lily would follow in the footsteps of her older brother and sister and really enjoy and get into soccer. After the first few games of retrieving her from the playground during her game, we found out that wasn’t going to be the case. The truth came out, “I only wanted to get the cool shirt and treats.” After explaining to her that she couldn’t just walk off of the field when she was ready to be done – she had to wait for the coach, she kicked it up a notch and finished off the season. Her main motivation for playing was getting those fun treats afterward! It will be interesting to see what happens next year??
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The Pressures of Piano
Mason is actually becoming really good on the piano despite my next commentary… The other day it was battle of the practicing day at our house. These happen more often than I would like, and I have talked to enough mothers out there to know that most kids have to be reminded to practice and sometimes there are tantrums to punish us all. I only hope that someday my kids will thank me for this, not curse me! I thought these pictures captured the battle quite nicely. Later on when I showed Mason he laughed and thought he looked silly. Since then we have had better days! He is currently working on a piece called, “Halloween Witches”. You’ll have to ask him to play it for you in a few weeks. In Mason’s defense, he is usually a very patient, easy going, accommodating little boy!
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New York City Here We Come
Counting down the days (two weeks from today) until we see Lady Liberty and the bright city lights of Times Square! This time Lex and Mason get to experience it! Lex said she just doesn’t want to ride the subway…little does she know that is our only mode of transportation. More to come ….
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Comments:
Magan said…
We would of came with you guys! Have fun, go to the museums! I loved the MET
Thursday, September 13, 2007 7:28:19 PM
John Boy said…
Sounds like a good time.
Saturday, September 15, 2007 12:24:33 PM
Jeana said…
does this mean boston and south america are out?
Sunday, September 16, 2007 8:44:31 PM
Jodi said…
Yes!
Sunday, September 16, 2007 9:01:42 PM
Music makes me happy
So I am trying to get back into the violin scene and pretend like I know what I’m doing. Last night was the first practice for the Rexburg Tabernable Orchestra and it was quite enjoyable. It is nice to have a goal to work toward and be surrounded with lovely music. I have to admit it is extemely intimidating being around such accomplished players. I find my spot in the back of the second violins to be most comfortable as I miss a note here or there. I have also been teaching Alexis, her friend Lacey and most recently my neice, Paige. It is actually quite fun for me. Alexis is getting better and better. I get some satisfaction with thinking that I taught her to do what she is doing. Music is such therapy for my soul – I love it. I have come to realize that even though I am not extremely proficient on the piano, violin or even singing – Music always makes me feel happy and that is why I keep finding myself involved in these endeavors.
A Varicose Vein Lesson
As I am getting further into this pregnancy the sad reality of varicose veins is coming back to haunt me. I looked in the mirror the other day (remind me not to do that again) and I was horrified with what I saw. I really am only 32 years old – not 92! YIKES. In the midst of my pity party I found this photo on the internet and decided to be happy for my lot! Doesn’t this pic scare you? It does me, you know that could be me someday. Seriously speaking, it IS such a small price to pay for a wonderful, cuddly baby – right?
What are varicose veins?
Arteries bring oxygen-rich blood from your heart to the rest of your body and veins return oxygen-poor blood back to your heart.
Varicose veins are swollen veins that you can see through your skin. They often look blue, bulging, and twisted. Left untreated, varicose veins may worsen over time. Large varicose veins can cause aching and feelings of fatigue as well as skin changes like rashes, redness, and sores. As many as 40 million Americans, most of them women, have varicose veins.
You have three kinds of veins in your legs; the superficial veins, which lie closest to your skin, the deep veins, which lie in groups of muscles and perforating veins, which connect the superficial veins to the deep veins. The deep veins lead to the vena cava, your body’s largest vein, which runs directly to your heart. Varicose veins occur in the superficial veins in your legs.
When you are in the upright position, the blood in your leg veins must work against gravity to return to your heart. To accomplish this, your leg muscles squeeze the deep veins of your legs and feet. One-way flaps, called valves, in your veins keep blood flowing in the right direction. When your leg muscles contract, the valves inside your veins open. When your legs relax, the valves close. This prevents blood from flowing in reverse, back down the legs. The entire process of sending blood back to the heart is called the venous pump.
When you walk and your leg muscles squeeze, the venous pump works well. But when you sit or stand, especially for a long time, the blood in your leg veins can pool and the pressure in your veins can increase. Deep veins and perforating veins are usually able to withstand short periods of increased pressures. However, if you are a susceptible individual, your veins can stretch if you repeatedly sit or stand for a long time. This stretching can sometimes weaken the walls of your veins and damage your vein valves. Varicose veins may result. Spider veins are mild varicose veins. They look like a nest of red or blue lines just under your skin. Spider veins are not a serious medical problem, but they can be a cosmetic concern to some people.