I like them... really

Seth gives us his pirate smile

In trouble?

Best friends... mostly

I like my kids. Sometimes they hit, pull hair, run around like wild maniacs, scream, throw tantrums, cut up yarn and leave it all over the place, whine while I'm on the phone, poke the baby, spill stuff, and so on. But, all in all, I like them. Here are some of things I like about them:

Katelin

1. Took Seth to the car, put him in his carseat and buckled him in today
2. Dances around, sits with, and smiles for Lina when she is crying
3. Makes and gives cards... lots and lots and lots of cards that say I love you, You're my favorite Mom/Dad/brother/sister, I love chrch, Thanks for ______, etc.
4. Reads with, plays with, shares with Seth -- even when it isn't really his turn.
5. Initiates one of my favorite games at the playground. She climbs up the ladder (about 2 rungs up) and jumps into Seth's arms. Then Seth takes a turn. Dangerous? Slightly. Entertaining? Yes - for everyone involved.

Seth

1. Goes along with all of Katelin's crazy games and ideas and is happy to do it.
2. Jumped up and down smiling and laughing when we put big boy underwear on him last week... and he doesn't fight me when I tell him it's time to go to the bathroom.
3. Loves the song "I want to do it myself..." from a little cd we borrowed from the library
4. Puts his little hand on top of mine when he wants to "help" me pour water into his oatmeal, spread peanut butter on his sandwish, or stamp a picture on his paper.
5. Loves playing Billy Goats Gruff, and acting like a snake or horse or kangaroo, or anything.

Lina

1. Smiles, kicks, and waves her arms every time Trevor or Katelin or Seth or I stop and say hello to her. She loves the attention.
2. Laughed with us when we noticed she was wearing one of her teethers like a bracelet. The kids all got a kick out of that.
3. Examines and studies her feet and hands (usually with her mouth) with great wonder.
4. Drinks happily from a bottle when needed (thank you, thank you.)
5. Fights: going to sleep at night. Loves: being swaddled, listening to the blow dryer, and being worn in a front pack.

In spite of all of the work they create, these three kids bring a lot of joy.

On another note, today was Day 2 of my commitment to spend time with myself on the patio and I can proudly report I did it. In addition, I spent a minute reading Olivia Helps with Christmas on the patio with two little kiddos. I love the cooler weather that lends to spending a bit more time outside!

All fun and games til someone gets sprayed in the nose...

Seth is my boy. He likes to disagree and says that he is "Daddy's boy", but I know the truth. He rarely walks. Sometimes he runs, but most of the time he gallops. Ask him any question and he most likely will reply, "No Mama." He can put together a 24 piece puzzle of the United States in a few short minutes, and if there is anything resembling a horse within 100 feet, he will spot it. When I find toothpaste smeared all over the living room floor, all he has to do is gallop on over and say "Sorry" (which sounds nothing like the word sorry) and all is forgiven. He's my boy. Don't know what I would do without him.

More pictures from Champion Park

Thirsty anyone?

Just a little dirt...

Poor kid. This is when Seth lost interest in the fountains and just wanted to be held. A rare moment and a good time to wind things down and head home!

I love it when everyone plays nice!

Playing with baby.

Reading to brother.

Big brother.

Three happy kids.

Just wondering...

Seriously, who needs toys?

Am I the only parent who has considered tying my children to their chairs at the kitchen table and into their beds at night? Not complaining, just wondering if this might be a legitimate solution....

When Katelin Went to the Temple

A few weeks ago in her sunbeams class at church, Katelin learned all about what she needs to do to prepare to go to the temple. She reported everything back to me. She would need to eat healthy food, obey her mother, be kind, and so forth.

A day or two later I asked Katelin to do something. She responded, "Yes, because I want to obey you. I want to go to the temple."

By the end of the week, she was begging us to take her. I explained to her that until she was older and ready to participate in temple worship, she would only be able to see the temple from the outside. "But can Iplease just have a peek?" she asked.

Well, a week or two went by and we found ourselves in Dallas helping my sister-in-law move into their new apartment. In the middle of this visit, we found time to go to the Dallas/Fort Worth temple so I could attend an endowment session.

When I had finished my session, I met Trevor and the kids outside on the lawn and discovered that Katelin needed to use the restroom. Normally, we would take her to the distribution center bathrooms (kind of a temple bookstore) nearby, but they were closed. We thought we would have to head down the street. Then I realized something.

The Dallas temple is set up with a very large lobby and waiting room. This area is available to those who aren't yet able to go inside and participate in temple ceremonies. In this waiting area there was access to a restroom. When I told Katelin she could walk into the temple with me, and take a quick peek, she was elated. She was also pretty excited to use the temple bathrooms, which, by the way, were baby blue. Very memorable.

Katelin getting reverent so she can enter the temple.

I think Seth was a bit mad that he couldn't go inside.

But Katelin told him all about it afterwards.

Overall, a very nice day at the Dallas temple. I'm happy to see Katelin understanding how important the temple is to us. To learn a bit more about temples, you can go here.

Artistic Expression

We are a family that embraces arts and culture. We like to give our children the opportunity to enjoy the arts in any way they like.

This is Seth's version of a self-portrait. Better than eating the crayons!

Katelin made puppets the other day.

They started out very traditional.

Each one was a bit more unique than the last.

What is this, you might ask? A dragon. Katelin felt she had made it just a bit to scary. I see her point.

Fun Week Highlights, continued....

Okay, let me add one final highlight. This is a memorable moment for any parent. It doesn't happen too much around these parts.

Fun Week Highlights.

After a big trip to visit family, and all of Trevor's travels, we opted to avoid more travel and host our own "staycation" in Austin this summer. I'm pretty sure we have hit the pinnacle of hipness, as everybody is doing a "staycation" these days now that it is cool to save money. Anyway, here are a few highlights for your enjoyment...

Who wants to see lions, elephants, or giraffes when there are fish around. This was the favorite location at the San Antonio Zoo, possibly because it has air conditioning.

Katelin decided to hatch a few egss while we were there...

Later in the week, Trevor and Seth had some one on one time at Champion Park.

Seth had a good time digging...

Down the street at Brushy Creek Lake Park, Katelin and I enjoyed the fountains and Katelin's new scooter.

I should have worn my swimming suit... and I'm not so sure about the $1.00 special Target sunglasses??

Although you can't tell, we are all on the train. The Zilker Zephyr. We tried out Barton Springs pool afterwards... Seth thought it was a little too cold.

One of the highlights of the children's museum were the drums, always a favorite for Seth. Katelin liked dressing up (as usual) even though they didn't have any princess gowns.

Don't You Just Love it...

when you discover that your 15-month old son knows how to remove his diaper??? Oh, and do his business on your carpet?

After scrubbing and re-scrubbing the carpet for 45 minutes, I realized, (in case I ever had any doubt) that I could never house-train a dog.

Airport Reunion

Katelin greets Trevor at the airport.

This is what happens AFTER Mom and the kids return from their visits with Grandmas and Grandpas and Dad returns from his two-week tour of China. It was a sweet day at Austin-Bergstrom.

One Dollar's Worth of Fun

Mother's Day Kite Flying

My Mother's Day brought a sick Katelin, or at least a recovering Katelin so we spent the day at home, while Trevor headed off to church, where he would be speaking on what a wonderful mother I am... or something like that. I was particularly disappointed to miss his talk and what would have been Katelin's debut with the Primary children singing "Mother I Love You." So sad.

Nevertheless, in the evening we hit the park with some heavy duty kite-flying -the highlight of my Mother's Day. I just can't help but love watching something soaring so high. Oh to be a kite...

One Burning Question Answered.

Apparently this is HOW this little guy gets to my computer.

Just an average day jumping on the couch with his tongue out.

Until he spots the computer!

Easy does it....

And now the other leg.

Brilliant Seth!!

And I thought my little gate idea might actually protect my computer for a while...

Our good friends

Katelin and Andy
Seth with Leo and Jack or is it Jack and Leo?

Talmage, Addie and Katelin

It feels like a long time ago we were in Utah and Idaho enjoying a couple of snowy days. With our perfect spring weather I can't say I am missing home too much. I am missing these cute kids. Mathew and Angie were nice enough to have a set of twins close in age to both of my kids. Her kids definitely have a few more tall genes than ours.

My Baby

One Year Old and Oh So Proud!

Both of my babies (I use the word baby loosely here) have the same cry. Last night I heard the sound I so dread, the "Heh, heh, heh," stoccato waking cry coming from my childrens' bedroom. I stopped listened, ready to spring into nightly emergency action, but I, the mother and expert on both of these little beings, could not discern which child had woken. I waited. Listened again. But still could not decide. Just another sign telling me that Seth is not a little baby anymore.


I have been trying to deny that this was happening -to believe in my heart that his recent birthday (last Saturday) was simply a day of celebration and NOT the milestone of passage into toddlerhood. There have been lots of clues reminding me that his babyhood was winding down. There were baby steps, then lots of steps. His newfound word (and obsession) - dah, dah, dah (translation: dog). His clinginess and stranger anxiety. His ability to climb right over the back of the couch. But most striking of all - his sheer will and determination when he wants something.


This was evidenced last night at dinnertime as we participated in the nightly dinnertime guessing game. The game is simple. He whines. I jump and run trying to guess what he wants. I put something on his plate. He cries, throws whatever I have provided onto the floor and the whole thing starts over again. So after doing this for a while last night, I gave up on guessing and sat down to eat (ignoring Seth's pleas to appease). He continued whining and pointed to my plate.


I offered him tortellini. No Thank You, he expressed by throwing it on the floor. Green Beans. Nope. Potatoes. Out. A bite of applesauce. Definitely not. Then I must have had a bit of inspiration. I handed him my fork (okay, probably not the best item to give to a 12 month old, but I was desperate). He smiled, took the fork and began using it to pick at the bits of food that were left on his plate.


He was even more delighted when I gave him a small bowl full of Oatmeal baby cereal and a spoon. He globbed spoonful after spoonful into his mouth (and onto his hair, arms, down his shirt, all over his nose, etc.). By the time I was finished eating, he had almost finished the entire bowl. He looked at me and smiled proudly as if to say, "See Mom. I am big."

True enough. But in my heart, I responded, You might be big, but you're still my baby.

Sweet Reunion

Perhaps there is nothing better for me about a trip home than watching my children interact with their grandparents. Nobody loves my children like their grandparents do. It is a special treat to spend several days in their homes as they take special care to spend time with the kids and spoil them with lots of love and attention.

Grandpa Winward introduces Seth to the dog.

Cuddling up with Grandma winward at the end of a long day

Grandma Budge is always taking pictures. At Trisha's wedding she handed her camera to Trevor while she was in the reception line and gave him specific instructions - "Take pictures of the grandkids."

Katelin and Grandpa Budge greet each other after eight long months

Floating over clouds

I didn't fly on an airplane until I was twenty years old. It was a day of anticipation, and excitement. I savored the newness of that day. Watching the world below. Sitting and chatting with a stranger. Seeing the comings and goings of so many people and dreaming of my destination.

I've flown many times since that day, until the energy and buzz of the airport has become ordinary. Second-hand. But today was different. In spite of several flights Katelin has taken before, she absorbed each moment of the day -- observing, watching, wondering.

I want to remember her enthusiasm. To memorize her face and her words.

"Is this our plane?"

"I think we're flying."

"This is so fun."

I want to remember the way she studied and asked about the safety information packet. The way she waited anxiously for each snack, each drink. The way she enjoyed her special pillow and blanket. The way she said, "Blast off!" when plane started to rise.

I enjoyed the day with her. We watched through the small airplane window as the cars below grew smaller and smaller. We talked about flying through clouds and then we gazed in delight at the piles of puffy white stretching below us. I felt, just a little, like I was flying for the first time.

Interestingly, Seth actually was.

And He's Off

Seth took his first step back in early January, but seems to have finally mastered his skills the last couple of days. We are almost as proud as he is. Here he practices his skills while visiting the San Antonio Temple last Saturday.

Always watching

Trevor putting some tools away in his "shed."

Katelin does some tool organization of her own.

Of course, then Seth had to get in on it too.

Our kids are always watching. Always imitating. I'm sure I've already messed my kids up in some way or another, but I think, for the most part, they're doing okay.