Flashback Friday- When we were babies...

I'm still pretty proud that I can do that.

Kaylon's sister took our engagement pics on a disposable camera. It was one of the cheapest weddings ever that wasn't in Vegas or at the JP.

We'll celebrate 8 years of marriage in less than 2 weeks. We're crazy, but at least we're crazy together.

Planes, Trains, (Buses), and Automobiles

Moira and I had a lovely weekend in Connecticut with my friend Jocelyn. Kaylon and the girls had a great time camping in West Virginia. If only Monday could have been so good.

Kaylon figured out this past weekend that the master brake cylinder is broken on the van. He managed to drive home safely, but didn't feel good about driving to Baltimore to pick me up. So, I had to use the public transportation available to me.

We drove to the airport at 12:30 and arrived at 1:00pm or so. We made it through security and then waited at our gate until we boarded at 2:00pm for our 2:30 flight. The flight went surprisingly well. I sat in the window seat next to a grandfather of 4 and a mother of 2. Moira amazingly fell asleep 15 minutes into the flight after eating only 3 bites of applesauce, which she finished when she woke up near the end of the flight.

We arrived at BWI, around 3:45pm, not having any luggage to retreive, and headed out to find the shuttle to the train station. We hopped aboard after a 5 minute wait. We got to the train station about 10 minutes late, and so had to wait 50 minutes for the next one. Outside. I suddenly remembered the granola bar I had stashed in my diaper bag, and had my lunch for the day. Some trains did not stop at our station, instead rushing by, at which point I had to cover Moira's ears because it was so loud. Finally our train arrived at 4:05pm.

I boarded the train, which thankfully was fairly empty since it was going towards DC, and I was able to nurse Moira discreetly and enjoy the airconditioning. After a few stops we arrived at Union Station around 4:30 or so. We headed to the metro station, managed to finally find a kiosk that worked and took credit cards, bought our ticket and headed to the metro cars. We crammed into the crowded, non-air conditioned car, realizing that we were in the middle of rush hour. Luckily Moira is quite the charmer, and people were amused, not annoyed by her presence.

Of course right before our switch to the orange line, our car had a malfunction and everyone had to empty the train, and it whizzed on its way. I caught the next train, and then switched to the orange line at the next stop. A nice gentleman made sure that I had a seat. Moira was getting fussy and I tried to entertain her with whatever I could find.

Finally our metro ride was over. We hurried out (I couldn't really run with her strapped onto me) to try to catch the right bus, which luckily had just arrived. Thankfully I had a seat there as well, but Moira started to lose it as we got onto the highway. I tried everything I could to stop her, and finally resigned myself to just consoling her. I barely noticed when her body slumped into me, but I realized she had fallen asleep. After a few stops, I finally pulled the line and got off at the Safeway near our house at 6:30pm.

At this point I was exhasted. I wanted to see my family, but I knew that I was in a horrible mood and didn't want my homecoming to be marred by my irritation. I started to walk slowly in hopes of changing my mindframe before reaching my destination.

I didn't have to.

I had only gone a few yards when I saw one small blond and one smaller brunette emerge from the path leading towards home, holding hands. They yelled "Mommy" when they saw me and started to run up the hill. I couldn't help the tears that pooled in my eyes as my emotions finally boiled over at the beautiful sight. I hugged them and kissed them as Liliana said over and over, "Mommy, I miss you!" and Grace woke up Moira with some kisses of her own. Kaylon was right behind them and I was able to uneloquently express my gratitude for the gesture.

We picked up the chinese food Kaylon had ordered from a store in the area and then walked home together. Liliana never let go of my hand. Grace and Kaylon prattled off adventures from their weekend, and I just soaked it all in. I was finally home. Sometimes it takes being away to really appreciate what you already have.

Should I Be Worried?

Grace loves presents- mostly receiving them, but giving them too. She has recently taught herself how to wrap presents (with my white computer paper, which needs to stop or I'll run out...). She'll take a toy or book or someone's else's possession, wrap it in paper, make a card, and sign her name. She does an amazing job for a 5 year old.

Now combine that with her love for her daddy, and you have today. She wrapped 6 presents for Kaylon and made a book/card for him.

Each gift had its own small card on which she wrote 'I love you.'

She excitedly gave them to him as soon as he got home. She explained that the heart stickers on the card showed how much she loved him.

Then she gave him the big card/book.

Kaylon flipped it open to find what looked like a story. (She used staples and glue to keep the pages together.)She said that it was a story- "my whole family died. Except for you, daddy. And then I married you, because I love marrying you."

Ummmmm... should I be worried? I mean, Kaylon jokes that he never wants a life insurance policy so that I don't off him, haha, but this girl has it in for me! I DIE, and so she marries my husband? I'm just kidding- I know that she doesn't see it that way, but wow, I never thought I'd have to deal with this. I hope this phase ends soon- I don't like not being #1 in her life.

Here are the rest of her drawings

our houseshe's playing ball

the "gifts" that she gave Kaylon... there was another DVD, the sailing book is my dad's and White Christmas is for sure mine... course, Kaylon might need to brish up on his ABCs...

Meet Baby

I was taking pictures tonight, so I took these for posterity as well. This is baby. Uncle B gave her to Liliana her 1st Christmas. Liliana CAN sleep without her, but it's easier to get her down with her. She goes in the car, has attempted to go in the bath, and has been in Liliana's shirt quite a bit (that's where Liliana thinks you put things- don't know where she got that). It smells, even after going through the washer, and I don't know how long she'll last... but it's sweet for now.

Grace in Primary

I forgot to mention Grace's behavior in Primary yesterday. She was great at first: she hurried up to the front to sit by the podium so that she could give her talk (then ran back to me to get her 'notes'.) She did wonderful on her talk- not even a hint of jitters. And then she went back to her seat.

It took me a few minutes to notice, since I was on the other side of the room, right in front of the piano, which made it hard to hear, but then I saw her. She was standing on one of the chairs with a huge smile on her face. Her teacher managed to get her down, and I decided to let her handle it. Then Grace proceeded to run to the front and take something from the table, followed by some dodging of her teacher, and more chair standing. I caught her eye and told her to sit on her butt. I was seriously appalled. She has always been distracted in primary, but I'm never seen her this rowdy.

Actually, last night Kaylon and I realized that we have the most disruptive kids at church. In our last ward they were normal to above normal in behavior- here, I swear I'm the only one who has to take her kids out (usually Liliana who is screaming because she didn't get her way on some point or another). I know part of it is that many families have older children, but some just have these quiet kids who don't seem to even want to misbehave. It's fun :P

My unwitty post

I had this whole blog written in my head all day and now it's gone. I can't remember what I was going to say. It was totally witty... and fun... and Gone. :P

Maybe if I start writing it will come back to me. It's been a busy 24 hours. Last night Kaylon invited our new neighbors over last minute. I'm not a last minute person, but it was a lot of fun. They have a 2 year old who is very cute. We did a potluck dinner followed by popsicles.

Then after the girls went to bed I got a phone call from the 2nd counselor of the Bishopric called last night to ask me to come in early this morning to speak with him. I naturally started to debate in my head what my calling might be. The 2nd counselor is over the youth, so I thought maybe young women... then I wondered if her was over sunday school, and started picturing a teenage sunday school class, followed by grand visions of all the teenagers loving me and begging to babysit my kids.

I thought it was a little weird when the bishop was the one to pull me in, but not much. And then these words, "Well, it's time to reorganize the primary..."

I am the newly sustained 2nd counselor in the Primary Presidency, which is the calling that I left in our last ward. :D

I always felt that I wasn't done with my calling. I guess the Lord agreed. I am so happy to work with the children again! I'm hoping to be over nursery and implement some of the Lois McBride techniques from our last ward. I'm really excited to work with this presidency. The new president is the gal who carpooled with me to the relief society pool party and hung out with me all night. She's really a sweet person, and I'm excited to work with her and the other leaders.

Our other big news is that Moira got up on her knees tonight- not her arms, but her knees, which she used (accidentally) to push herself forward. It won't be long now...

Me Too!!!!

I miss not being in Primary on Sundays. One of the reasons is because I miss Grace's antics. But lucky for me, I am now friends with most of the primary presidency, so I get reports when she does something funny.

Last week, I got a call from one of the gals in Primary so that she could get some info on Grace so she could be spotlighted on Sunday. Grace was so excited after church to show me her candy bar and paper with all her favorite things listed on it. Later, 2 of the primary gals were excited to tell me the story.

I guess they started reading off her favorites, but not telling the Primary who they were talking about. It went something like this:

"This person's favorite food is... Egg Drop Soup."

Grace, "Oh! That's MY favorite!"

"This person loves Disney Princesses."

Grace, "Me TOO!!!"

"This person's favorite song is "I am like a star shining brightly."

Grace, "(Gasp) ME TOO!"

They said that she did it for every single revelation. The presidency had a hard time not laughing as Grace looked around the room for the twin that she never knew she had. Even with all the hints, the primary still didn't know who it was (she has only been there 6 weeks). But like I said, she was ecstatic to be spotlighted, and she happily told us her version when we got home.

Flashback Friday

K, So, I'm totally stealing this from Katie, but it's such a good idea, I can't help myself. Every Friday I'm going to post an old picture and the story that goes with it, if one applies. Hope you enjoy. (And yes, I do know that it is Saturday. I have 3 kids. I keep forgetting so I'm going to do it now, or I'll forget next again next week!)



I have always loved this picture- It's Grace in the summer of 2005. We were at my mom's for one of the many trips we took out there that summer from DC where Kaylon was then just an unpaid intern at OPIC. I can't believe sometimes that that bald cutie turned into my curly blond beauty.

Grace, the Girly-Girl

I've already related on this blog about Grace being in love with Kaylon. This has actually grown recently to the point that I feel like she's competing with me for Kaylon's love, which is weird. The other day Kaylon scolded her about something, and she came back with quite a zingger. Crying she said,

"Daddy, did you know that every time you yell at me, that you break my heart?"

Kaylon "I do?"

"Yeah, and do you know what else?"

"What?"

"Every time you yell at me, you give my heart away to someone else."

"Who?"

"Max Estrada." (cries again)

So, here is a video of her other love interest, and her not so subtle way of showing him how she feels. Enjoy!

Things are looking up

First, I apologize for the underlines... I cannot get rid of them- i even tried fixing it in word, repasted it, and it's still like this- annoying. Anyways,...

We've been here a little over a month now and things are starting to settle in. The house has clutter, people recognize us, we've had some dinner invites, and I can even remember some names! The first few months are so hard for me- trying to fit in and overcome the part of me that is screaming at me to run and hide. There's a Relief Society pool party on Thursday. I'm hoping Kaylon gets home in time for me to go. I'm bringing my mom's chocolate chip cookies, so if I'm awkward and weird, at least they'll like me for my cookies, right?

We decided to not get a reston pool pass this summer. I just don't feel like i would be able to watch all three girls in the pool by myself, and really paying 60$ to go swimming a few times is not worth it. So, I spent one of the best 10$ of my life on a kiddie pool. It's on our deck, which is awesome because there's not mud to track into the pool (and my carpet), and I can sit on the other side of the sliding glass doors in my papasan chair and read in the a/c house while they play.

This is Moira watching them (hmmm, no underlining)

And my smiley 5 month old

Grace Learns about Life....

Grace is now of the age that she can understand some of the more bleak parts of life. A few months ago she finally accepted that the meat we eat come from the cute animals she likes to look at. Kaylon has started reading Charlotte's Web to her at night and she has really enjoyed it- especially that spiders drink bugs' blood. Yesterday she decided that she didn't want to go to kindergarten, with the goal of not getting her shots. Nice logic, but it doesn't work. She kicked and yelled as the nurse came closer with the needle, and begged "Not yet doctor, WAIT!." It was amazing how quickly the tears went away when a bag of toys appeared in the nurse's hand, though!

The other thing Grace has picked up is 'more possessions=the winner' (as she called it). Yesterday morning, she was prattling to Kaylon about wanting another disney princess set so that she "could have the most and be the winner." Kaylon tried to tell her about poor little girls that had none and that she should be grateful for what she had, but she just said that it was 'stupid' that those little girls didn't have any, and that she would SHARE with them. Kaylon is now insistant that we do a family service project to show her the poorer side of life. I gave her the idea of giving her Belle to Liliana for her bday in August, since she wants the full Belle set, which would then leave her with 2 Belles. I have my own motivations for this- Liliana wants desperatly to play with Grace's princesses and I'm constantly having to take them away from her, or directing her away from where Grace is hiding from Liliana with them. It would make life easier and it would teach Grace a lesson. Two birds with one stone :)

Our Weekend in PA

Well, we are home from our long weekend in Pennsylvania. We had a really wonderful time with the extended family- got to see people we hadn't seen for a while. Actually, Kaylon got to meet some of my family for the first time.

The memorial service was very nice. Mom got to say a few things, as well as her brother and sister in law. There were laughs and tears, and I, at least, went away feeling like she was given a proper "send off". I wish I could have enjoyed the service more though- Moira and Liliana went into whiny mode the minute we got out of the van to go inside. After a few tries taking them out one at a time, Kaylon finally took them both out, and Grace and I sat together for the rest.

Tuesday morning we went to park near my uncle's place and had a picnic lunch and then played on the playground for a while with another uncle's family. We had a great time and are seriously thinking about a trip to Florida next summer to see them and Mickey Mouse. Moira would be 18 months then... so much easier to care for then!

Here are a few pics from our time... we have a ton, so it's gonna be hard to just choose a few.

Mom out on the motorcycle with Jimmy

Kaylon, Frank, and Grace checking out the poison ivy

Moira's Dress for the funeral- I LOVE the hat!



The Troxells and the Girls (these boys were able to charm Liliana, which is saying a lot!)

Liliana... being Liliana

She's a Momma's Girl :D
Grandma Susie and Grace

Grandma Susie and the girls

It's hard to get Brandon to be in a pic, but this one he was more than willing to do

Brandon, Corey, and Daniel

This was going to be a pic of mom and me... oh well, they are cute...

Happy Independence Day!

We are spending the holiday weekend in Pittsburgh so that we can attend my grandmother's memorial service on Monday. It's nice to spend some time with Mom and Brandon, as well as my uncles/aunts and cousins.

Last night we took the girls to the fireworks. Moira got to stay asleep at the hotel with my cousin (a live-saving gesture on his part). There was no parking left at the park, so we ended up on some nice people's lawn (nice because they didn't kick us off). You know you're getting old when you wish the fireworks would only last 5 minutes...

It was still fun. Liliana was hilarious running around in circles, then she would stop suddenly when a firework would go off. She had only had a 20 minute and had been fed candy to soften her up towards Mom and Brandon, so she was hyper/crazy. Grace loved the fireworks until they got really loud, but was fine once she covered her ears.



Today is a family day over at my uncles and then tomorrow is the memorial. We'll drive home Tuesday. The good thing is that this time the hotel has a night staff and no one is puking- yet. Moira did have a blow out last night, though (but Kaylon got to clean up that one :D ).

Moira Eating Solid Food

Moira got her first solid food this week- rice cereal. I added some mashed up cantelope today- she liked that a lot. :)

More Informericals

So Grace's new need is an exercise program- here's how the conversation went down:

Grace: Mom, can I have that? (points to the commercial of the exercise program)

Me: No.

Grace: But mom, it makes people that are fat look like me. (ie skinny)

Me: But if you are already skinny why would you need that?

Grace: I can make my own choice. When I'm a mommy I'll be fat and then I'll buy it and get skinny.


Greeaat...