2009 in a Nutshell

I didn't have it in me this year to send out Christmas cards so I figured a post to the blog would have to do and we could try again next year.
The last year was a busy one for us. We decided to start trying to get pregnant at the end of December 2008 thinking it would take a few months. To our surprise we got pregnant immediately. We were living on the bottom floor at Johns parents and decided it was time to move on. we moved into our current apartment in March and have enjoyed being in our own space.
John was busy with school all year long. He became the Secretary for the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) student chapter at CWU. He was chosen by a professor to represent the construction management program on a traffic flow redesign committee also at CWU. He served with the boy scouts for awhile and now he is the Sunday teacher for the deacons. John turned the big 30 this year. He is in good company because most of our friends turned 30 this year also. He is very excited for graduation in June and is looking forward to finding a job in his field.
Mariska turned three this year. She has learned to count (almost) to twenty. We are working on letters and it is amazing how fast she picks these things up. She has stopped taking naps (boo hoo) and she is completely potty trained (yeah!) She is a great big sister and loves Jack, sometimes to much. She is always willing to help and loves to cook in her kitchen and also in mine.
Jack was born on October 23rd. He is even more mellow than his sister was as a baby. I feel very fortunate. He is a happy baby and loves to smile and giggle. He loves to watch Riska and really puts up with a lot of what she does to him when I have my back turned. He is a very chunky baby, He was 8 lbs and 7 oz when he was born. Two months later he weighed 15 lbs 8 oz. I think I am looking forward to him crawling and walking because then he might fit into some of his clothes. I cant help but fall in love with him again every time I look at him.
This year was a good year for me. I spent my pregnancy trying to finish projects that I knew I would never get to once I had Jack, one being the cross stitched dragon for my living room. I am the Mia Maid adviser in our ward and I love working with the young women. I am looking forward to John being done with school. I am also a little scared because I have no idea where we will be after he finishes. He is going to look everywhere but the one thing I am fairly sure of is we will not be here in Ellensburg.
My Aunt Toni visited us in June and my mom and sister Aurie visited the week Jack was born. Riska and I took a trip to Vegas in March for ten days. It is always so good to see my parents and the rest of my family. The only thing that would have made the trip better was if John had come with us. John did come with us when we went down to Vegas in August. We drove down and spent two weeks with my parents then drove to Salt Lake to see my extended family. This was a hard trip because I spent the whole first part of the trip sick then John got it, then Riska. I was 7 months pregnant and that was a lot of traveling for me. It was worth it though because of all the time we got to spend with my family.
We are grateful for our family and friends. We are looking forward to 2010 and what it will bring for our family. Hope you all had a very happy New Year! Know we love and pray for you.

Mommy Moment #3

I knew this one already, I am such a boob! Today was Riska's first day as a sunbeam. I was so excited for her and she was so excited to go to primary. It wasn't until we got to the primary room that I realized my baby is not a baby anymore. I am not the type of parent who hates to see her children grow up. Each stage Mariska has hit has brought different experiences and new levels of fun. I just think it is funny that I cried over her going to primary.

Mommy Moment #2

I already knew this but it has been reaffirmed over and over latley. Anything I say to my kids could eventually come back and bite me in the butt. I pulled out my clarinet earlier this week to practice and Riska was fascinated with the instrument. She asked to play it and of course I said no. She looked at me with a sad face and said "Mommy you have to share." It really doesn't seem to matter what I say it gets repeated by my daughter sooner or later.

Paralyzer-Finger Eleven

John was dancing with Jack when he started giggling. It is right in the middle of the video. I love that my children seem to like the music we listen to.

Mommy Moment #1

We watched Julie and Julia last night. I thoroughly enjoyed it. It got me thinking about what I do with my blog. Most the time I only write about my kids never about what I am thinking or my experiences. So I have decided that once a week I will look for what I like to call mommy moments. When they happen I will write about them. It will of course involve the kids and my husband but it will be my thoughts and things that I have come to know through the experiences I have.
I did the laundry on Friday and since we live in an apartment without a washer and dryer I had to take it to the little laundry room next door. I had just finished and had all the stuff in the entryway next to the couch. Riska unscrewd the lid to the laundry detergent and then i think she used the bottle as a step stool to the arm of the couch. When I caught it we had already lost half of the bottle, which was nearly full, into our carpet. I now understand the meaning of seeing red. I have never been that angry with my daughter. Even though I was angry I reigned in my temper and did not yell at her which would have been my first reaction. My sister in law took the kids that evening so I could take John out to dinner and that is when it happened. Pulling myself away from the situation gave me new eyes. It occurred to me that it was an accident. I am sure that Mariska doesn't go around all day looking for ways to make life harder. Then I thought yes it is a mess and it will take a little time to clean up but at least it can be cleaned up. Plus it was my fault in the first place for not putting the bottle away. So here is my mommy moment. I have complete control over my temper, or I should say I have the ability to have complete control over my temper. Glad it only took me 27 years to figure it out.

Sisterly Love

Just wanted to share how much Riska loves her baby brother. It warms my heart so much.

Happy Birthday Riska

With Mariska's birthday falling the week of Thanksgiving I thought it would be wise to have her birthday party the week before to ensure her friends could come. Riska has fallen in love with the Disney princesses so we had a princess party. I can't believe that she is going to be three. She has really turned into a fun and beautiful little girl. We love and adore her so much. Happy Birthday Riska I Love You!!!!!!!!

Food included princess juice ( Raspberry sherbet and lemon lime drink) and home made castle cake. She asked for one and I really tried. Not to impressed with it but John reminded me that she is only three and will love it no matter what because it is cake. She did love it and even told me that I did a good job. Bless her little heart.
Mariska let me be a princess after the party was over.

Visit to Grandma Dolly

We decided to head over to Wenatchee to see John's Grandma before the weather turned for good. The drive was pleasant and we enjoyed sitting with Grandma and John's Aunt Sissy. I am really glad we were able to take Jack and Mariska for the visit.

Jack and his one eye!