The Dearest Place

Sunday, June 26, 2011

R got baptized.

My sister-in-law, Chelise, took pictures at R's baptism. I love them, so please--check them out!

http://chelisevandegraaff.blogspot.com/2011/06/baptism-of-r.html

My brother-in-law, Joe, took some too, like the one below. http://jkvdg.blogspot.com/2011/06/family-time.html

Decluttering--I'm serious this time

By Brooklyn standards, my apartment is relatively large, I think. My problem is that, well, I am a bit of a pack rat. I love stuff. I love having the option of doing things--a lot of things. Well, that option is ganging up on me and giving me the evil eye. . . if you know what I mean (for the reference see Rodgers and Hammerstein's The King and I).

Well, I am looking at it with determination. It does not scare me, provided I can work on it 5 minutes at a time. I'll take before and after pictures, but I cannot guarantee I'll post them--it is more for my peace of mind--and it would be super embarrassing and like the horror from one of those reality shows.

I guess the reason I am telling you about this at all is that I feel like I could really use any decluttering thoughts you may have. Please pray for and picture my family and I in a Brady Bunch type of house with no clutter in any of the corners or on top of things.

Day 1 goal. The railroad hallway between my front room and the master bedroom. . .

It will be fabulous. Clean. Orderly. Beautiful. Accomplish-able.

I am seriously thinking of joining Clutterers Anonymous. Anyone want to come?

Blessed

You know how you have a moment in your life after a rich, full day. Your mind ponders on the days events and sometimes the littlest intricicies wherein you seems to notice the Lord's guiding hand in your life and quite suddenly you are just filled with a happy, clear spirit of gratitude that seems to permeate your soul for a few moments?

I love it when that happens.

Thursday, June 23, 2011

Free Classes for Kids this Summer in NYC--URGENTISH--if you're interested

Dear friends, the city offers a lot of free classes for children. They have toddler swimming classes, tennis, track and field, and golf. Did you know the city also offers free camping overnight in Central Park, Prospect Park, and other places that are fabulous like that?!

So in the spirit of desiring to share here are the links. The swimming classes are chosen by lottery and the other classes some are first come first serve, but other than golf I think they are pretty accommodating (but I haven't done golf, so I could be wrong.

Swimming--Must Sign Up Before Friday, July 1!!!
City Park Foundation General Information (where you find out about everything they are doing--including the MET Opera in the park)
Tennis
Track and Field
Golf

Oh and if you want, free Shakespeare in the Park tickets you can enter the lottery virtually every performance day before 1 pm. Then after 1 log in to see if you got them (I went last year--it was fabulous!). More information is available on their page.

Wednesday, June 8, 2011

My Little Bro Got Married

Yipee! Hooray! Welcome to the family MFO. We are so glad to have you! Nice work G.

Sunday, May 22, 2011

S's Letter to God

When I was getting my children down for the night I opened the scriptures for the evening scripture verses. I flipped to where we were, but somewhere in the triple combination was a letter that S had written.

The note says (just in case you cannot read it):

Got bo you love me 4 evre [God do you love me forever?]

Yes you doo God.

The note touched me heart and I felt immense gratitude and happiness.

Thank you S! God loves you forever and so do I.

Madagascar Live!

Our good friend Amanda M. had some extra tickets to Madagascar Live! at Radio City Music Hall. It was Spring Break and I was not going to let an opportunity like that pass us up. My kids were so excited and my excitement matched their's. I have never been to Radio City Music Hall and it felt as though I was walking into a grand palace.

Just as a side note, the first year we lived here they dedicated the Manhattan temple and they had the youth do one of the first huge youth conference/show things at Radio City Music Hall. There were so many youth in the show that they asked that only one or two parents and the leaders came. W was a leader of the Young Men so he went, but I was secretly sooo jealous.

I had no idea how huge that place is. We were on the top balcony--which I thought was really awesome. We probably would have walked up there anyway. It was also nice because I didn't feel too bad if my kids had a loud moment, which inevitably happened. I only had to chase a child down a hall way once. It was fabulous! The music was great and there were colors everywhere.

During the intermission most of the parents were taking pictures. So we joined. I tried to do it sans-flash, but it turned our faces red. T loved making that face.

This was on our way there on the train. S was in her movie star sunglasses.

Thanks Amanda! We had a fabulous time!

Friday, May 20, 2011

Roosevelt Island and Dylan's Candy Bar

During Spring Break my friend Amanda M. offered us some tickets to Madagascar Live! We went to get the tickets. We decided that we would go on the Roosevelt Island Tram. We had a great time, even though we were obviously not the only ones that were excited about getting on the tram that went over the streets at 59th St. over the East River to Roosevelt Island. The tram was packed--canned sardines style. The kids couldn't move, well technically none of us could move so the only thing they could hang on to, sort of--was the door--so when a strong breeze shook the tram the entire car full of people and R's head collided with the door. Ouch!

We decided to go to Dylan's Candy Bar, something we were really excited to do until we noticed the lines all through the store. Being a person that can easily resist overpriced stuff (amazingly even candy) and a delight in skipping crowds we opted in walking in one door and out the other. It. was. colorful.

Pre-Dylan's (in the background across the street)

Wednesday, May 18, 2011

Moments with T

There are a lot of posts about T, but it is because he talks to me a lot. I mean A LOT. I totally love it.

I was leaving the house and in a note of self-affirmation I said, "I look pretty and you look handsome."
T: I look pretty.
Me: You look very handsome.
T: No, pretty.
Me: Handsome or sharp is what a boy says.
T: . . .
Me: Do you like those?
T: No.

A few hours later I was looking at adorable, modest dresses online. He peeked over my shoulder and said, "She's handsome."

. . . lesson learned . . .

Sunday, May 15, 2011

Inspiring, Humor

Today I watched the Nei Nei story on ABC 20/20 and I have to say it was very inspiring. You know when you didn't know you needed something until you see it and then you know that the Lord knew that you really needed it.

It made me realize how much I take motherhood for granted. Sometimes it is so easy to look at things and think--there is so much to do, how am I am ever going to get everything done and be the kind of mom and wife I need to be? Well, watching that made me realize that I may not be the mother that I want to be right now, but I have a body with which I can do all those things I want--even if I do not get them done. I can be home with my children. I can get them ready for school. We can do fun things together. I can holler out that I cannot wake up in the morning and that I really need a hug and my kids will wake themselves up and come in to hug me good morning (my morning bliss). We can laugh together, tickle each other, help clean all with no bodily pain or injury. We are so blessed!!!

This may sound funny because right now I am re-enforcing the kidlet's bedtime routine which was a bit disturbed yesterday because I left W in charge (he gave me a break with no children, the first one in three weeks--thanks sweetheart :D), and T ended up getting onto my bed instead of his. Sigh. The disruption in the routine means chaos for me and T is fighting me tooth and nail crying buckets of tears. R is attempting to calm the outcry with stories. He is very helpful.

I love T so dearly I am sticking to their routine, for him and me. . . especially in the sense that it may escape future grouchiness on my part. Please tell me that I am not the only one doing this.

Ten minutes later and T is asleep! VICTORY!

Just as a side note, T said his prayers right after he plead with me that he was starving. I was not letting any of the children have more food (they'd just finished off crackers and apples 10 minutes before). He sneaked some bagel chips into his bedroom and was hopping on the bed gleefully getting ready to eat them when I took them and said he could have some tomorrow.

Then he knelt down and said his prayers. It went like this.

He'nly Faher [Heavenly Father]
I am really hungry. I really like chips.
In the name . . . amen.

Nothing like an informative prayer every now and then.

He also joined us in primary for a little while today. He loved answering every question with ample encouragement from S--even though he was only called on once. And one of his answers involved the Prophet and Trader Joe's (a popular specialty grocery store). For the record, I did not teach him that.

Endearments

19 Oct 2012 S (age 7): Mom, what does c-l-i-m-b spell? Mom! Are you listening to me?! T (age 4): It spells "darn it!" Me: It doesn't spell anything until you can use your kind, calm voice.
2 Aug Sometimes my kids assume that anything in an aerosol can is air freshener--which I don't even use that often. Sunscreen. Cooking spray. Hairspray. Perfume. . . my house has stunk like it on several occasions.
2 Aug 2012 At the park T (age 4) asked me about something I ran into the store to buy, which he had previously not noticed and asked suspiciously, "Did you go get this without a grown-up?"
16 June 2012 T asked me this morning, "Mom, do phones get juice from the chargers?" I said, "Yes. Yes they do."
16 June 2012 T was holding the doll and he dropped it and picked it up. I asked if it was okay and he said, "She's not dead. She keeps her eyes open so she won't be interrupted." I leaned down and kissed his sweet short-haired head and he grinned at me then he leaned down and kissed his baby on the head.
15 May 2012 T just asked R while they are playing their Nintendo DS's together, "What's a nerbous breakdown?"
11 May 2012 My 4-yr-old made me smile today when he told me, "Mom, you da-prized me." Then after his brother told him that he had guts for jumping off one of the rungs at the school play-yard, "I do? What's guts?" Then again a moment ago when he sweetly offered my husband his Thomas the Tank Engine backpack (size 8 1/2 by 11 inches) for W to take to work. What a sweetie!
31 Dec 2011 S asked me today, "Mom, could you please find me a time machine so I can go back in time and see Baby Jesus?" How do you respond to that? I wish I had a time machine too.
27 Dec 2011 T was hopping around at bedtime and bumped something over. He ran over, "I'm so sorry, Mom. I am so sorry I messed up that mess."
29 Oct 2011 S was singing a song T was listening to in a snide way and T called out, "S, don't be an alien."
10/23/2011 There was a nursery emergency today. T ran to me from the doorway and hollered, "A grape fell into my tummy!"
3 Sept 2011 We were in the car driving home from a ward party when T called out, "Am I four yet?" "Not yet" we replied. With a few moments thought he then asked, "How long until I grow up?"
23 Aug 2011 I try not to let it bother me when my youngest runs from a forkful of dinner to the other room while yelling "YUCK!" Really, how gross can spaghetti from a can be?! Turns out that after a month of non-spaghetti dinners he forgot that he likes it. Then after S forced him to eat it he ran in and hollered, "I like it!" Whew! What a relief.
27 Apr 2011 We were going to pick the kids up from school and T wanted to ride his scooter. He said, "Mom, I want to ride my scooter and be fast like a band-aid." I did not know band-aids were, um, fast.
27 Apr 2011 T came out of his room with a huge smile on his face and then said, "Mom, I am so grouchy." Then he smiled again. I'll take more of that grouchy, anytime.
13 Mar 2011 S is a determined missionary. She has talked to a few kids in her class and her teacher about Jesus. She gets so excited when they say they go to church. Then when she doesn't see them she says, "Oh, they went to church when they were little."
13 Mar 2011 S and T were having a heart to heart talk about something they were eating. It went like this. T: It tastes like dinosaur. S: Yes. It does!
13 Mar 2011 Immediately after a girl from the primary had been baptized in our ward T gleefully cried out, "Me next!"
13 Mar 2011 T is definitely the younger brother of my daughter (an unofficial princess) because he he loves to dance all over the house because he asked, "Mom, pick you up (me up) and dance like a princess.
13 Mar 2011 T loves to tell me that he cannot put on his shoes because he is going to get a "bleestard." Then he begged me to find his mustard jacket (it has a dinosaur on it--there is no yellow whatsoever).
6 Feb 2011 T asked me to get him a cup of hot chocolate. Upon hearing the word "chocolate" S rushed into the room and cried, "ME TOO." I said, "We don't have hot chocolate, but you can have some chocolate milk." They agreed. I said, "Let's report to the kitchen." "Yes," said T, "Let's repo the chicken."
3 Jan 2011 T was trying to feed me his PB&J and I was resisting. Finally I said, "No, I will not eat the sandwich. But, I will eat your arm." I immediately began pretending to eat his arm with the accompanying ar, ar, ar sound. "MOM," he squealed, "THAT'S GROSS."
11 Oct 2010 T was up when W was leaving for work this morning. T followed W all around the house holding onto his scrubs and saying over and over, "Daddy no go work." Then, "I nee my had-dy daddy no-book." (I need my handy-dandy notebook--thank you "Blues Clues."
27 Aug 2010 T was walking with the other kids and I when he suddenly stopped and pointed at all the people around us and in amazement said, "Look, mom. Humans!"
22 Aug 2010 The other day R was trying to help T recognize that what he was doing was not entirely helpful to the mood of the day. It went something like this, "Don't do that T, it's too ignoring." I think he meant annoying. :)
13 Aug 2010 I just got the kids to bed. T rushed out and sat back up on my lap. Then he turned to me and cheerfully said, "I caked up. S caked up. R caked up. Daddy caked up." Thank you T for the family update. I am glad to know we all have cake and are awake.
3 June 2010 S came to me tonight with a cut on her hand. She did the pity-me-please cry and then she said, "Mom maybe you should do for me what Daddy does for you when you don't feel good." I smiled and said, "What is that?" She said, "He gets you goodies when you're sick." Thanks W! :D
31 May 2010 R ran into the kitchen, "Mom, my tooth is bleeding!! See, look at my shirt."
31 May 2010 T loves to copy W. It gets really exciting right around bedtime. W gives me a kiss. T gives me a kiss. W tells the children, "Go to sleep." T tells the kids, "Go oo sweep."
28 April 2010 Yesterday the kids were playing with their friend, Pierson. I am not sure exactly what they were playing, but I heard S say to Pierson, "You can marry me, if you want to." There was no answer.
13 Jan 2010 R asked me today, "Mom, when I am 17 or 18 will you let me stay up until 9 or 9:13? "
4 January 2010 T was sitting on my lap while I was reading a blog. It was so funny I started laughing heartily and T joined in. I told W, "It's so funny." T added a few more giggles to the mix and said, "It's so funny." Then laughed some more, which made me laugh more, which made him laugh more. Laughing is delightful!
Dec 25 Lately S has gotten a bit grouchy about the fact she has chores and forcefully told me, "Mom YOU are NOT the boss Heavenly Father is!!!"
Dec 15 T loves to talk. He loves to have an "I love you!" sound off with me. It goes like this. M: I love you. T: I la oo. M: I love you. T: I LA oo. M: I love you. T: I LA OO. It gets louder every time. Oh, sweetness.
Dec 15 T has started talking non-stop. Today when we were preparing to eat dinner S was asked to pray. Before she had time to start T began and finished before S had a chance to lift an eyelash. He finished with a grand "AMEN." I love him so dearly.
Oct 14 This morning R rushed into the room W and I were in and shouted, "T has learned a new word! He can say 'Ikea!'" W and I took a moment to absorb what he was saying and then we burst out laughing. R understood this as disbelief and went to T and sweetly asked several times, "Say 'Ikea.'" Apparently "Ikea" to T was a one time thing.
Oct 7 I was lying on my bed for a minute. T brought his special blanket and came to lie by me. He sat right next to my head, carefully tucked my head into his blanket, and lay down. I love how sweet he is!
Oct 6 T has gotten rather chatty as of late and sometimes will playfully go into a yes/no war with me. Like this, "Tommy do you . . .? " Tommy says, "Yes." I say, "No." He says, "Yes." You get the idea.
Oct 6 S and I were walking together and talking about weather. She said something like this, "Mom, It tastes like music."
Sept 28 S came up to me after watching a Sesame Street good food and exercise movie and eating an assortment of good-for-you snacks and proudly announced, "Mom, I feel so healthy." Now when I do my exercises she insists on doing her Seasame Street ones.
Sept 2 R had run into a piece of furniture while wearing goggles and hurt himself. S lovingly came while I was consoling him with 3 or 4 blankets. Finally she came in with a Christmas hat--you know the kind that is red with a ball on the end. She sweetly put on his head and said, "Now you'll get all better." What a dearie!
July 27 We went and saw Tiffany V in her play "Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat." So taken by the person who played Joseph, S immediately went in search of him after the show was over. To no avail she left the theater screaming/sobbing, "WHERE IS JOSEPH? I WANT JOSEPH!!!" Did I mention that it was probably 11 pm or 12 am EST (which she was still on, relatively).
July 13 On the jet waiting to fly to UT/ID S eagerly asked, "When are we going to blast off?" Then, pointing to the engines, "Are those lazers?"
June 27 R has recently been making comments about the meals I have been fixing. "Mom, you are the best cooker in the world." It makes me smile really big and think or say, "Thank you dear. Have another cookie."
June 27 The road to speaking can be a long and arduous one. T's new word for the week is OW! It's rathe endearing and exasperating at the same time. For example he's getting a tickle and at the end of the tickles he gleefully declares, "OW." I give him a glass of water, to which he replies politely, "OW," etc. "Hot" is a close second.
June 11 R said, "I'd like to be a bug. . . They are so small they probably won't get hit by asteroids or comets." Where did THAT come from? :D
June 10 "If we had a billion dollars then could we go to Grandma's house, Mommy?" "I want to see Jenna one last time." --S
May 26 Our friends gave us some hand-me-downs yesterday (I love hand-me-downs--thank you Maetani's) and S was thrilled beyond measure. She dressed in every outfit today and kept telling me, "Mom, dreams DO come true!"
May 20 Tonight as the kids were taking their baths R suddenly came crying to me, "I lost my toy FOREVER down the drain." I thought he said he lost his toe down the drain, so I checked to make sure all 10 toes were in tact. Then he told me that we would have to call the guy that does the water or else the WHOLE CITY would be plugged. All this from a 10 cent toy.
May 13 Today S and I painted our nails. Directly after getting it done she fell and bumped her face. :( She ran to me and cried for 10 seconds then she anxiously asked, "Are my nails ruined?"
May 10ish The other day I overheard R explaining pointedly, "S, you never see me doing things that are my fault do you?"
April 26 In our primary there is a reward system in place where if the child brings his/her scriptures 6 weeks in a row then she/he gets a treat of sorts (non-edible). Today S felt totally indignant that she did not earn a treat and in tears begged the primary president for a treat. The primary president smiled and after a brief consolation filled conversation said to S, "I don't get a treat either." S, unabated, wailed, "That's because your OLD!" She really isn't old, but I guess anyone over 4 is old to S. :D
March 27 T was playing trains with R and I told R told me that T likes things with wheels. I told him, "Just like you." He smirked, "I don't have wheels!"
March 25 On the train home the other day we were reading the book on Disney princesses. R noted that the princesses were all alike. Beauty got the Beast, Cinderella got the slipper, Snow White woke up, and the Little Mermaid got modest.
March 17 At dinner one night we were having what everyone gave a 10 (a rarity). S left the room for a moment. When she was out of sight R went over to her plate and began to pick up the fork to take a bite. From the next room we heard, "DON'T EAT MY FOOD!" Turns out she was in the bathroom with the door cracked open one inch which afforded a view of the table and the unforgiveable act in motion.
March 16 One day when W got home T looked up at him and sort of bounced up and down excitedly and said, "Hello."
March 16 The other day while cooking in the kitchen S came in excitedly and told me, "Mommy, I am so nice." Yes S, yes, you are. . . when you choose to be.
March 16 S gave me a hug and said, "Mommy, you're warm and gentle." Then she looked up at me smiling and finished, "Just like Snow White."
March 4 S today told me, "Mommy, I want to be a grown-up. I like grown-ups. They can blow bubbles."
Feb 21 In primary today the chorister told the kids that were left handed to sing by themselves. Her daughter delightedly shouted out, "Yes! That's me! I have a left hand!"
Feb 21 When R was praying the other night he was thankful for all of God's curators (creatures or creations).
Feb 21 A couple of Sundays ago we were late for church. W told them that being late to church made him feel frustrated. S soothingly said, "Don't worry Dad. We know you are frustrating."
Jan 1 S has a double stroller, for dollies. However today she wanted to be a dolly. It took us 20 minutes to figure out how to get her out. Parents, beware of innocent looking double dolly strollers.
Jan 1 R got a lot of games for Christmas. Some of them were card games. Just now I asked him what he was doing. He said, "Shoveling cards."
Dec 27 R went outside and said to literally every one passing by saying, "Happy Holidays. Happy Holidays. Happy Holidays." S not wanting to miss out on the merriment shouted at the top of her lungs, "HAPPY HOLIDAYS EVERY ONE!!!"
Dec 20 T loves to say Da Da Da when he's very happy. He says Mumumum when he feels sad. Shouldn't it be the other way around? :D
Dec 18 T loves to play pat-a-cake. He'll do it over and over. He loves to follow W or M all around the house-literally--all around the house.
Dec 19 Today there was snow ALL day and S every five minutes hollered, "Okay, Mom. Let's go play in the snow." We had a snowball fight all the way home from picking R up from school.

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