Potty Training

I don't know what the heck is going on, but for some reason Eli wants to use the potty. I got him a seat like this a month ago in anticipation of a future potty training time. But today he indicated a desire to go. So I took off his diaper and wouldn't you know he actually peed in the little toilet seat...2 times.



I am not delusional enough to think this is a permanent occurence. It could very well just be passing phase, but I am oh so grateful for any steps forward.

Bobcats...Done!

My boys are now Cub Scouts. This is the first Pack Meeting we attended as a family. The wolfs led the flag ceremony, so Raef gave the instructions and Zach carried the flag with Trevor.

Then they gave out patches for advancement. Both of them finished the Bobcat requirements. It took us a couple of days, but we got it done. They were so proud of themselves. It was cool.

That is Eli's little head you see at the bottom of the picture. He stood up there for all of the awards. He had a grand ole time at Pack Meeting.

I got a pin too.

Here I am with the fabulous photographer Brook. Now I am really wishing I had remembered to put some makeup on before I left the house.

Julia was just happy that somebody finally took her out of the house. There was finally something new to look at instead of the same old stuff.

And Harry was ecstatic. The boy can do some serious smiles. I love how even his eyes smile.

Sew Much Stuff

Sometimes you are just in the mood to make pretty things and pretty spaces. And other times you can't procrastinate it any longer. These three projects I just completed were a combination of the two.

I finished Eli's room a few weeks ago. I love the way it turned out. I bought the quilt at Burlington Coat Factory. I was so excited to finally find the perfect one that I almost started doing back flips. It is exactly what I envisioned; strong red, whites, and blues with a bit of whimsy. It helped to set a tone of fun with a little bit of sophistication.



I bought plain canvas curtains and then added the color fabric on the bottom. The metallic stars were brown so I jazzed them up with some red spray paint. Don't you love the paint job? It took three coats to cover up the green and make it white and only one coat for the bottom. Rinar added the chair rail and I am in love with it.


I got the chair at the DI in St. George and the metallic cars from Homegoods. I love that store. It is also where I found the lamp and the lobster picture. That picture was a little too small for the space so I "framed" it inside of an empty frame. Now all this room needs is some closet doors and new carpet. Oh yeah, I need to add some pictures of Eli and Harry on the opposite wall. Then it will be officially done.

Then I moved on to some sewing projects. This is a diaper bag that will be going to a relative, if she doesn't have one already. She may not even like it. I have no idea. Do you love the strap? I found it on a "Time Out For Women" bag at the DI. The bag was lame but the strap and hardware were totally awesome. I found two of those bags and they were each $1. This is a lot cheaper than buying a new strap by itself. You can't see it, but the inside lining is pink and white cheetah print. Rahr! I put pockets on every side of this thing, inside and out. Pockets require a bit more work.

Then I forced myself to finish this bag for Brook. She was the winner of Ladies Olympic Challenge #1, so I made her a temple bag. She requested black and white. I can't believe that I found this fabric at Walmart.

The black print is like a plasticy, faux leather type fabric. I actually made my first zipper pocket from scratch for the inside of it.

Two more Kelly Bag originals. Hmmm...I know I owe one more person a purse, and then what do I sew?

Watch Out, Carnegie Hall

Eli is just the gift that keeps on giving.

After incessant badgering and temper tantrums, Eli was allowed to participate in violin lessons with Dad and Zach. This was one of many songs he "played" with them.

p.s. Raef was the cameraman

No, No, Iron!

I am sitting here trying to think of something interesting to share with you. My mind is chirping crickets at the moment.

Life is good down here on the farm.

Oh yeah, except for the fact that I am a terrible mom. Eli was humming along next to me while I started to try to sew something. Sewing requires an iron. And I had the basketball game on (my condolences to all you poor cougars out there...boo hoo for you) and was checking the score.

Yep, you guessed it. {Insert a blood-curdling scream here.}

Irons are hot, by the way.

I hadn't really reviewed that concept with him. I gave him no explanation or warning. I guess I just wanted him to do the hands-on method for learning this time around, which I really wouldn't recommend to any other mom out there when you are trying to teach the "hot" concept. My poor little guy. I felt really bad. He was mad and sad and berated the iron quite a bit. It was a naughty iron.

I totally agree.

Hmmm....I guess I did have something to write about after all.

Sweetness and Slobber in the Morning

It was just a sweet morning...look at the start to my beautiful day today. Enjoy.

Fight Drama With Drama

Eli has been kicked out of the crib and now he sleeps in the big boy bed. Okay, really he always ends up on the floor and then we put him in the big boy bed. But at least he stays in his room.



Aunty Norma stayed over one day on her way back to Hawaii. She accompanied Grandma to Utah for an extended visit with Aunty Sunjoo. She can stay at my house anytime. She is like a magical cleaning/babysitting fairy. It is heavenly.

And now, when your over-dramatic, I-AM-GOING-TO-DIE-BECAUSE-A-TINY-DROP-OF-BLOOD-WAS-SPOTTED-ON-A-LITTLE-SCRATCH-ON-MY-HEAD son needs some first aid, you have to go all out to quell the incessant crying.

I think this took care of it. Thanks, Dad.

Dad is Coming Home

They finally made a diagnosis for Rinar's dad: abeta amyloid angiopathy.

Say what?!?!?!?

Yes, it is a rare disease and it has only been diagnosed in one other person, some guy in Italy. The good news is that they have a better idea on how to treat it, but we really don't know much because it is rare. Now he is doing so much better, and his mind is lucid. We are very grateful.

Since he is able to do more things on his own, it looks like he will be able to transfer back home within the week. Rinar is on his way home right now and he is stuck in a snowstorm somewhere near Beaver. So, the bad news is that he will be home late and I will put the kids to bed on my own.

Sorry I haven't been posting stuff this last little while. I am a hermit at the moment. We dug in the trenches and did lots of school work and I completed sewing project that turned out totally awesome.

I hope to be back in full-swing soon. Love you all.

Good News?

Is it good news when they don't really know what it is?

About a dozen doctors met today to discuss Rinar's dad and his medical condition. The consensus? Well, it is definitely NOT gliomatosis cerebri. Great news. Really what we have been hoping and praying for this past week. Thanks to all of you for your prayers and thoughts. It is greatly appreciated.

But what is it? They don't really know. They are sending a sample of the tissue to the Mayo clinic. Apparently there is a world-reknowned expert there who will be able to make a diagnosis...hopefully! They did use the word amyloid. Unfortunately, now he has to get a spinal tap. I think they are trying to beat him up: lung biopsy, brain biopsy, spinal tap. Yikes. Poor dad.

But he is in good spirits and so is Rinar's mom. Rinar is coming home today. Is it selfish for me to say "Yippee!"?

That is all I know, and now you know.

Have a great day and cherish the ones you love. Time spent with family and friends is time well-spent.