Is that how you look to people?

So I am going to start posting some of Joel's priceless comments. Tonight he was looking at himself in our closet mirror doors and he commented on how short he felt. So I went over to stand by him to make him feel better. And he said "Is that how you look to people?"

My other favorite "compliment" of the week was "You have the Ellen haircut."

Love you Joel!

Mashed Potatoes Please

This was at Christmas time with the Erickson's--she was loving those mashed potatoes....too bad she won't touch them now. It must be Grandma's gravy that is the magic touch.

My little Monsters

Poop Update

For over a week Sawyer has been pooping all by himself in the potty!! O Happy Day!

Scary Frog

Sawyer has a thing about dolls eyes. He got the cutest little sock monkey for Christmas that his Aunt Madie made him and he thought it was a scary. I couldn't figure it out, whenever I would leave it next to his bed or in bed with him he would throw it out of the room and say "scary monkey get out!" So I thought it was just a monkey thing. But tonight after he had been in his room awhile with the lights out he started to say, "Get the frogs eye Mom, Get the frog eye." So I ignored it for a minute and then went in to find him pulling off his stuffed frogs eyes! He already got to one and I saved the other one. "I broke the frogs eye Mom! Get the other one." So I think we have established that its the eyes that are scary. I don't blame him. I can't have any toys with eyes in my room either.

Jekyl and Hyde

Dr. Jekyll & Mr. Hyde by Robert Louis Stevenson


My rating: 5 of 5 stars
I am no expert but I thought this book was well written and had some very interesting views on the human mind or soul. The inherent goodness or evil of man. Really interesting. Plus the author got his story across in such a short book! I love that! I like being able to read a book in a day once in a while.

View all my reviews >>

New Friends

First of all I need to apologize for my last post. I love Soy and he is the most lovable adorable amazing kid I have ever met. However, I am very easily provoked at times--at bedtimes especially. But I would like to report that Soy has pooped in the potty by himself--completely-- three days in a row!!! Only a mother who has been through potty training hell would understand my joy.
So I am so happy right now I just had to write down the experiences we have had since we have moved to Burbank. Not only have I been impressed by our ward and our ward family but I have made two very good friends already. One of which I have already shared my deepest darkest secrets with and cried with. I haven't had a friend like that for along time besides my family--including Joel's side (I am so blessed!) So it felt amazing to talk with her and feel that instant bond that I already know will get me through and keep me sane. It has been less than 3 weeks! I am amazed. This girl that I feel especially close to--We will call her Annie C (Because that is her name) moved here for the same reasons I did. Following our husbands lifelong dreams to come to film central and work on movies. They are going to the same school, in the same group, and they just happen to be LDS and have kids our same age and almost the same Anniversary date! No coincidence there. The Lord truly knows our needs. I had a lot of anxiety thinking about moving here but as soon as I got on the road I had the most calm feeling. And ever since we have been here so many things have happened to reaffirm the feeling that I know we are where we are supposed to be right now. My eyes are being opened to so many other cultures and ways of life. And my testimony has grown meeting other people and talking to them about their beliefs and seeing how inherently good others are who aren't members of the church. I knew that yes but I have always been almost completely surrounded by Mormons so I guess I just didn't think about it. My perspective and understanding for others will be so much the better I feel because of this move. Plus free museum days, the beach, the awesome bakery next door and everything that goes with the big city! And yes Mom I will probably cry when I come back to Ririe and am reminded of how beautiful it is there and how much space is there.

Bedtime Hell

I really hope Soy is my most difficult child.

Bedtime Miracle

Sawyer was in bed by 845 and did not get out of bed once! No joke!!! And London went down at 0815 and didn't wake up when I put Soy down.....what is this? I think I may cry from sheer joy.

School Nights

So Joel goes to school on Friday and Sunday night from 530 to 1130. I have really enjoyed the nights with just the kids. We like to bake something and watch a movie....well we have done it twice anyway. Tonight we made bread from a prepared pantry mix--thank you Madie. Then Soy had to go number two--and it was quite traumatic as usual but this time he went in the potty all by himself!!! It was awesome. After I got him recovered from the trauma I put him and London in the tub. My mom called and from the bathroom I heard "Mom! London pooped!" and yes again London had pooped in the tub. I am pretty sure this happens almost every time. "I don't like London's poop Mom!" He was pretty upset about it--but I fished it out and then everyone was happy. I used to empty the tub and disinfect all the toys when this happened but now....I just fish it out....is that bad? It's clean poop right? So after all the pooping was done with we got in our PJ's, did webcam with Grandma and Grandpa Richards and uncle Spencer and Tony, and sat down to eat our fresh bread and watch The Incredibles. It was great. I hesitate so much to let him watch TV but he begs me all day long to watch a movie. It's pretty cute and I don't think it will scar him for life. He gets plenty of imaginative play time.

Park Fun

I love going to the parks here. I meet at least two new moms or dads everytime and it's so fun! Alot of times they are from another country or at least speak another language so I'm having a great time getting cultured. The moms I have met here have been so great- I am so grateful for the church and the instant family I had when we got here but I think I still would have found friends regardless because of all of the nice moms around. I really like our ward because it is pretty small and so it will be easier to get to know everyone. I can already tell it is a very diverse ward. No family is like the other. Joel is getting in contact with his "contacts" and trying to find work and working on getting into the union. He is loving school and is glad he had alot of background already in the subjects. Oh and yes Soy and London are still awake in their room......I put London down at 730 and Soy down at 0800 and London was asleep til about 0810. Hmmm.......I think I might just put on headphones and play the Clavinova (digital piano).....

Dumpster Diving Divas

So I love my new ward and the ladies in it! One of my new favorites has become quite the dumpster diver expert. Only the best is taken from the curb into the car to be saved from the mulching garbage truck. No bed bugs for us. So every Friday she goes around her neighborhood and looks for furniture or other things that people are waiting for the garbage man to pick up--Friday is special pickup day. She has found tons of cool stuff. So of course I was intrigued by this free adventure and went along today....and found this awesome couch! I found this end table too but it needs some TLC so no pics yet. I found the computer desk and fan by our dumpster......I feel a little trashy but it makes me feel a little better about not having an income right now! I start my orientation on February 9th....so it will be a while til the next paycheck.

Bedtime Blues

So it is 103o. Kids are in their room, occasionally crying, laughing, talking, shouting, and crying. We put them down by 830. This is a nightly occurrence that has been going on for months. We both are out of ideas. Our nights are totally shot. We are constantly putting Soy back to bed and calming London back down. I can't wait for this phase to be over....but thank goodness they are cute!

Santa Monica Pier

We took the kids to the beach for the first time on Tuesday. They had fun--but it was a little chilly for swimming. It was alot colder by the beach than it was at home. But Soy had fun pointing out pirate ships. We saw some interesting folks--one of which wanted the kids to try on his fish hat. I think London was as weird-ed out as I was!

Sunny California

So we made it to Burbank California on Monday night. We took two days to get here and the kids did great--besides the couple temper tantrums from Soy and London's projectile vomitting. When we got here there were seven elders from our new ward to greet us. I have a good feeling about our new ward! Our apartment feels really roomy and I think it will be just right for us. I feel safe and we have room for all of our stuff! I had an interview today for an ICU position in Mission Hills which is 15 min North and I got it! Whoo Hoo! So now we can stay for sure. It was almost too easy to get a job and the apartment is better than what I was hoping for---thank you family fast! I can't believe the cultural diversity here! America really is a melting pot. I can't believe how many people stop and look at our kids--they are like rare gems here. I am not used to being the only mother in the store with two kids under three. With any kids for that matter. I have only seen one other baby since we've been here.