While I am on a roll, I might as well keep going. Since Cami doesn't blog anymore, I miss her list of great songs from the year. So, here are my lists to sum up 2012 in my world. I tried to stick to three things to a list, as not to be consumed by list making.
Favorite songs I added to my music library in 2012 and listened to many times (not all released this year, but close enough). This is in no particular order of favorites.
1 and 2. Eddie vedder "Society" and "Rise" - Eddie Vedder seems to have mellowed out a lot with age, but in a much more appealing way than, say, Eric Clapton. Giving him a mandolin was a grand idea. This is from the Into the Wild soundtrack. "Hard Sun" is pretty good too.
3. Of Monsters and Men "Little talks"
4 and 5. The Lumineers "Stubborn love" and "Ho Hey" (also Flowers in Your Hair is good)
6. The Black Keys "Gold on the Ceiling"
7. Gotye "Somebody that I Used to Know"
8. Imagine Dragons "It's Time" - but only this acoustic version where you can watch them footstomp, not the radio version.
9. Ben Kweller "Full Circle"
10. Mumford & Sons "White Blank Page" - I feel like I should like Mumford and Sons more than I do, since they are very similar to many bands that I enjoy, and very well-liked by many, but I only find I like some of their songs. Having them as a pandora playlist works well, but I find most of their songs sort of blend together in my mind. But I do like this one.
Three favorite movies of 2012
Les miserables
The Dark Knight Rises
Wasteland (Ok, this is 2010, but I watched it this year). Heartwarming and real documentary.
Hmm, to not be so dark, my favorite movies on the lighter side
Salmon fishing in the Yemen - Don't you love Emily Blunt? I do. She is super cute.
The Avengers
Robot and Frank
My not favorite things of 2012
Having stress dreams about church. Really? It's just not right.
Sitting in the ER with Carter with a bloody gaping hole in his mouth.
Skidding on the wet road and slidding across the freeway into oncoming traffic with all my kids in the backseat.
Things I wish I did more of
Went to the temple
More rock climbing
Read more books
Things I wish I did less of
Cleaning only to have it messed up again
Being annoyed and/or impatient with my kids
Whittling away time on computer
Three Books I read and enjoyed
Make the bread, buy the butter by Jennifer Reese - I've never laughed so much reading a cookbook. Very entertaining.
Parenting with love and logic by Foster Cline and Jim Fay - About teaching your kids responsibility
The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald - This was a must read after reading the Hunger Games. I needed something well written and with substance. I think it had been since high school that I read it.
Monday, February 4, 2013
Sunday, February 3, 2013
Loyal Readers
As I think back on all the things I have done and not written about on my blog, I had an idea. I have purposely set up my blog for an extremely limited audience of only those who are particularly close to my heart. So, I wanted to do a list of my favorite times I have done with each of you over the last year. So, here goes. You may either skip to your own, or read them all.
My Dad - This December, when the family came to visit, we woke up at some unreasonable and dark hour and went out on a hike together. Hiking alone with Dad is such a special experience at this hour. It is quiet, still, and purposeful. I love that he stops, listens, and raises his binoculars, stopping for longer than I ever would on my own to see a bird flying or just the sun shining on rocks. I truly felt the connection that he has with nature on this trail along the beautiful powerful waves and canyons of sage brush.
Chelsey - This March when we visited Mississippi, we sat in the warm, humid, dark evening on my parents screened front porch around our dinner table while our little kids told knock knock jokes to each other. Some of them were funny, and some of them didn't make any sense, which was even more funny. It was a soft experience that made me wish we had more times to share together in this time in our life that is very different than the many times we have spent together.
Katie - This same March Mississippi visit, we had a morning run together along the Biloxi beach. It was fun to run in step with each other.
Ammon - Okay, so it is a toss-up for me on you, Ammon. My first favorite was running the mud mash together and having you come back to fake finish with me so we could have a picture of us both running across the finish line. And then I loved having Tanner climb up onto your lap on the couch all through Christmas and peek at your nintendo game or throw a book on your lap for you to read for him.
My Mom - When we came out this March, I have to say that going to the library with you and my boys really stuck out for me. I know that seems a little simple. But it was just something that you do when you are not on vacation, and it was one of those simple little experiences we had that made me yearn to have you live close to us, so you could share your love of learning and reading with my kiddos.
Cami - My favorite thing was certainly having you text me a picture of your wedding dress that you bought. It was fun to see you "as a princess" as described by Tanner, especially since you tend toward not trying to look like a princess. And to be so excited for you to get married to Dan. Look forward to loving him even more than I do now!
Isaac - I loved having you describe all the various little Yomodo drawings that you and Dad have come up with. I love your love for drawing.
Ethan - I really have enjoyed many times of sitting next to you building legos. Probably my favorite is the model we built of our own house. You always have great ideas for how to make things work and are patient when I get distracted and start sorting legos instead.
Carter - I have enjoyed our special time of going out to eat for lunch on Mondays when Ethan is at school and Tanner is at Cassidy's. I love that you pick one of my very favorite restaurants, and it is so fun to sit there and sip smoothies together and talk about your school day.
Tanner - (not a reader, but I can't include everyone in my little family except him, right?) I love going on walks down to the beach with you when we are in no rush to get there, so I am patient enough to enjoy all of the things that you spot. Cats, boats, whatever. I love your little happy dialog that is so consistant as we walk.
Dylan - I have loved climbing on various rocks with you. Probably my favorite this year was in Yosemite. Thank you for finally taking me there. We climbed up some giant, slippery boulders to a beautiful pool of water with a cascading waterfall. Very fun.
Myself - I have loved having the one day a week that I swap babysitting so I have time by myself. I have loved sitting on top of various mountains, enjoying the beauty of this place I get to live, sweating and thinking.
Alissa - Alissa is always a riot, but Alissa set free of kids was soooo fun. I so much enjoyed her dancing on the bed in the hotel room when we went for Warrior Dash singing, "Every Day I'm Shuffling."
Karisa - Of the many fun times together this year, my favorite is the giant smile on your face as you crossed that finish line and gave me a big, muddy hug. Thanks for running with me. I loved it.
Jen - Okay, Jen, I have loved talking on the phone to you. We have done many other things together this year, but I love talking through our little and big life dilemmas. A few years back I had a conversation with Kelly Hansen about how she talked to her sister on the phone everyday, and I was completely shocked how anyone could possibly do that. I was like, "What do you talk about?!" But when I haven't talked to you in a few days, it is a few days too long.
Chris and Ali - I have loved watching you guys be parents to a soft, sweet baby girl. You guys are awesome parents of boys, and you have some really sweet boys, but there is something very special about having a little girl that you are soft with. I'm jealous, but in a very loving way.
Carin - Okay, so I didn't see you this year, or last year, or the year before, but you are still one of my very favorite people, and I really love that I was friends with you when you had kids and before I had them, because I learned a lot from you. But if I had done something with you this year, I would have come run that race in Oklahoma City (right?) where you run up the stairs of the tall buildings. Looked fun.
Jared & Amy - I also didn't get to see you this year, but would have loved to have come up for the sealing and adoption of your little Abby.
Thomeys - It was so fun to go ziplining with you two in December. You guys always make me laugh, and it was fun to spend time with you when I am not distracted by primary, or making dinner, or having my kids climbing all over me.
Frank and Elaine - I loved having you guys come and share with Ethan and the rest of us the powerful experiences you have had in your life with the Holy Ghost. Thank you for coming for his special day. It meant a lot to have you there.
That is everyone, I think. Thank you loyal readers. Here's to another great year together.
My Dad - This December, when the family came to visit, we woke up at some unreasonable and dark hour and went out on a hike together. Hiking alone with Dad is such a special experience at this hour. It is quiet, still, and purposeful. I love that he stops, listens, and raises his binoculars, stopping for longer than I ever would on my own to see a bird flying or just the sun shining on rocks. I truly felt the connection that he has with nature on this trail along the beautiful powerful waves and canyons of sage brush.
Chelsey - This March when we visited Mississippi, we sat in the warm, humid, dark evening on my parents screened front porch around our dinner table while our little kids told knock knock jokes to each other. Some of them were funny, and some of them didn't make any sense, which was even more funny. It was a soft experience that made me wish we had more times to share together in this time in our life that is very different than the many times we have spent together.
Katie - This same March Mississippi visit, we had a morning run together along the Biloxi beach. It was fun to run in step with each other.
Ammon - Okay, so it is a toss-up for me on you, Ammon. My first favorite was running the mud mash together and having you come back to fake finish with me so we could have a picture of us both running across the finish line. And then I loved having Tanner climb up onto your lap on the couch all through Christmas and peek at your nintendo game or throw a book on your lap for you to read for him.
My Mom - When we came out this March, I have to say that going to the library with you and my boys really stuck out for me. I know that seems a little simple. But it was just something that you do when you are not on vacation, and it was one of those simple little experiences we had that made me yearn to have you live close to us, so you could share your love of learning and reading with my kiddos.
Cami - My favorite thing was certainly having you text me a picture of your wedding dress that you bought. It was fun to see you "as a princess" as described by Tanner, especially since you tend toward not trying to look like a princess. And to be so excited for you to get married to Dan. Look forward to loving him even more than I do now!
Isaac - I loved having you describe all the various little Yomodo drawings that you and Dad have come up with. I love your love for drawing.
Ethan - I really have enjoyed many times of sitting next to you building legos. Probably my favorite is the model we built of our own house. You always have great ideas for how to make things work and are patient when I get distracted and start sorting legos instead.
Carter - I have enjoyed our special time of going out to eat for lunch on Mondays when Ethan is at school and Tanner is at Cassidy's. I love that you pick one of my very favorite restaurants, and it is so fun to sit there and sip smoothies together and talk about your school day.
Tanner - (not a reader, but I can't include everyone in my little family except him, right?) I love going on walks down to the beach with you when we are in no rush to get there, so I am patient enough to enjoy all of the things that you spot. Cats, boats, whatever. I love your little happy dialog that is so consistant as we walk.
Dylan - I have loved climbing on various rocks with you. Probably my favorite this year was in Yosemite. Thank you for finally taking me there. We climbed up some giant, slippery boulders to a beautiful pool of water with a cascading waterfall. Very fun.
Myself - I have loved having the one day a week that I swap babysitting so I have time by myself. I have loved sitting on top of various mountains, enjoying the beauty of this place I get to live, sweating and thinking.
Alissa - Alissa is always a riot, but Alissa set free of kids was soooo fun. I so much enjoyed her dancing on the bed in the hotel room when we went for Warrior Dash singing, "Every Day I'm Shuffling."
Karisa - Of the many fun times together this year, my favorite is the giant smile on your face as you crossed that finish line and gave me a big, muddy hug. Thanks for running with me. I loved it.
Jen - Okay, Jen, I have loved talking on the phone to you. We have done many other things together this year, but I love talking through our little and big life dilemmas. A few years back I had a conversation with Kelly Hansen about how she talked to her sister on the phone everyday, and I was completely shocked how anyone could possibly do that. I was like, "What do you talk about?!" But when I haven't talked to you in a few days, it is a few days too long.
Chris and Ali - I have loved watching you guys be parents to a soft, sweet baby girl. You guys are awesome parents of boys, and you have some really sweet boys, but there is something very special about having a little girl that you are soft with. I'm jealous, but in a very loving way.
Carin - Okay, so I didn't see you this year, or last year, or the year before, but you are still one of my very favorite people, and I really love that I was friends with you when you had kids and before I had them, because I learned a lot from you. But if I had done something with you this year, I would have come run that race in Oklahoma City (right?) where you run up the stairs of the tall buildings. Looked fun.
Jared & Amy - I also didn't get to see you this year, but would have loved to have come up for the sealing and adoption of your little Abby.
Thomeys - It was so fun to go ziplining with you two in December. You guys always make me laugh, and it was fun to spend time with you when I am not distracted by primary, or making dinner, or having my kids climbing all over me.
Frank and Elaine - I loved having you guys come and share with Ethan and the rest of us the powerful experiences you have had in your life with the Holy Ghost. Thank you for coming for his special day. It meant a lot to have you there.
That is everyone, I think. Thank you loyal readers. Here's to another great year together.
Whew! I realize that it is completely unreasonable that the last post on my blog is from Halloween. There is just this inherent problem with blogging: when you are most busy, you don't work on your blog; and then when you are less busy, you have nothing to blog about. But at some point (three months probably, ay?), you just gotta do a little updating. So, here goes.
I suppose I will work my way backwards. First, we have been sick. This is no ordinary sick. As Dylan surmised yesterday, it is like aliens are doing experiments on us. "Let's make them really, really tired. Or, no, no, let's make them incapable of getting up off the couch. Wait, shouldn't they be coughing too?" It has been such a weird sickness. And we all got it. So, I basically have not left the house for two weeks. The boys started out with really high fevers, and then slept all day. I mean, you know when your eight-year-old comes home from school and takes a three hour nap, something is definitely wrong. And then we've had coughs, congestion, and sore throats, but not the worst congestion or worst coughs, just mostly lack of will to do anything. I mean, I was beginning to have a mini identity crisis. Was I really a person that just sits on the couch and plays Angry Birds for hours? I didn't think I was, but I certainly was last week! I am happy to say that we are all feeling much more ambitious and back to our normal selves.
Right before we got sick, I took the boys up to San Jose to visit cousins. It was a long weekend, so we went up to the Monterey Bay Aquarium on Friday, where I got an annual membership (more on why I did that later) which was so liberating because I did not feel the pressure to see every single thing there. My favorite this time was the octopus. Usually, the octopus is just hiding in the corner, and you think, eh? what's next? But this time, first of all, it was bright red, and it was moving with its tentacles across the glass right in front of you. Exactly how you would imagine an octopus should move. It was amazing. Tanner was slightly less impressed, as evidenced by several conversations throughout the day that went exactly like this:
Amy: (as Tanner runs away): "Wait, wait, wait. Look at this ___________ (fill in the blank)"
Tanner: "I already looked at that."
Anyway, we all had fun. I took three boys to the aquarium by myself, and no one got lost, AND I wasn't hyperventilating by the end. So, that's cool.
The rest of the weekend was great. Those cousins just played and played.
And Chris and Ali are always such a pleasure to hang out with. We went on a nice little bike ride/nature hike up this canyon to a little barn which was fun. I was however quite surprised to have to fight over nature with all the bay area folks. We got there and there were probably 150 parking spaces, and it took fifteen minutes to find an empty space, and that was only when I stalked someone who was leaving. Since when do you have to fight for a spot to park on a nature walk? It really made me appreciate where we live.
Speaking of appreciating where we live, I think we are moving. I give equal patronage to the camps of being in complete denial about the situation, being in a state of panic about the situation, and being completely at ease about the whole thing. So, I believe I had mentioned the Carmel Dam Removal Project previously in regards to Dylan getting hired on to Water Systems Consulting, but I will refresh your memory. There is a really big job that is up in the Carmel Valley that his company was hoping to win the construction management on, and Dylan was a strategic hire to help win the job, since he has experience with large water construction projects. Well, he was going to be going up there two or three days a week from April to November for the next three years. They only do construction for six months of the year because they can't hurt the fish in the river, and all the work is in the river. So, I wasn't really looking forward to Dylan traveling, but it was doable. Well, two weeks ago, Dylan's boss literally flew him up to a meeting in Oakland with the client, and they got the job! (His boss is very close to getting his pilot's license, and so needs the flight time, so has flown him and Dylan up to Oakland several times for the meetings they have had. Cool, huh?). Anyway, it is really great they got the job; it is a really big deal for Dylan and for his company. It is a larger project than either of them have done. However, the owner wants the construction manager on site full time during the building period, i.e., Dylan is going to be in Carmel from May until November for the next three years, five or six days a week.
Well, this really changes things for us. We immediately did not think it was reasonable to have Dylan not live with us for the next year and a half of the next three years. So, we will either live up there half of the year and live down here for the other half, or move up there entirely for the next two and a half years (starting this June). At first, we were leaning toward splitting it up, because most of the work on the off-season is down here, but now, I would say we both think moving up there is going to make a lot more sense. The idea of living in two different places for half the year for three years doesn't seem extremely feasible as far as rental leases, schools, etc. are concerned. Also, because it is a design-build project, the contractor will be working on design aspects of the project during the winter months, so Dylan will be up there some, and he thinks he could work on most of his other work from up there in his construction office, and just come down here, as needed.
So, wait? Where did this come from?! I was not planning on moving away from the Central Coast ever!! But really, it is not that big of a sacrifice to HAVE to move to Carmel. The Carmel/Monterey area is about as similar of an area to where we live as exists anywhere. It has almost the exact same climate, it is beautiful and coastal, and it was be great fun to be closer to Chris and Ali in San Jose and the bay area in general. (It is just under three hours away from here). So, I have been driving around town on google maps, and looking up the demographic data on the census, and researching school test scores (excellent), ya know, being generally obsessed about the whole thing. It is more expensive to live up there, and although none of the negotiations have been done with Dylan's work yet, Dylan is not worried about that being a factor in the decision. And I really do get excited about thinking about having a brand new place to explore for new restaurants and do new hikes at. I already looked through my Monterey/Carmel Day Hike book. But the thought of leaving our friends here is absolutely heartbreaking. And the thought of moving everything in our house makes me want to curl up in the fetal position in the corner. I mean, I have moved lots in my life, but not in a long time, and never with three kids. When we moved here, Ethan was six months old, and we had movers pack us up and move us. Even just all the address changes we would have to make make me sick to my stomach. And we have accumulated A LOT of stuff since then. So, the task is daunting.
So, that is that. We do not have to decide immediately. We would move in June right before or right after going out for the family reunion and Cami's wedding (Yay!). However, when I think back to how quickly the last four months went, I know there is not much time.
Okay. I have so much more that has happened for us since halloween, but I am pushing it on kid patience. I have resorted to television for a babysitter. So, I had best stop here, and catch up more later. Let's just leave things with a few pictures, since we've had lots of words on this post.
I suppose I will work my way backwards. First, we have been sick. This is no ordinary sick. As Dylan surmised yesterday, it is like aliens are doing experiments on us. "Let's make them really, really tired. Or, no, no, let's make them incapable of getting up off the couch. Wait, shouldn't they be coughing too?" It has been such a weird sickness. And we all got it. So, I basically have not left the house for two weeks. The boys started out with really high fevers, and then slept all day. I mean, you know when your eight-year-old comes home from school and takes a three hour nap, something is definitely wrong. And then we've had coughs, congestion, and sore throats, but not the worst congestion or worst coughs, just mostly lack of will to do anything. I mean, I was beginning to have a mini identity crisis. Was I really a person that just sits on the couch and plays Angry Birds for hours? I didn't think I was, but I certainly was last week! I am happy to say that we are all feeling much more ambitious and back to our normal selves.
Right before we got sick, I took the boys up to San Jose to visit cousins. It was a long weekend, so we went up to the Monterey Bay Aquarium on Friday, where I got an annual membership (more on why I did that later) which was so liberating because I did not feel the pressure to see every single thing there. My favorite this time was the octopus. Usually, the octopus is just hiding in the corner, and you think, eh? what's next? But this time, first of all, it was bright red, and it was moving with its tentacles across the glass right in front of you. Exactly how you would imagine an octopus should move. It was amazing. Tanner was slightly less impressed, as evidenced by several conversations throughout the day that went exactly like this:
Amy: (as Tanner runs away): "Wait, wait, wait. Look at this ___________ (fill in the blank)"
Tanner: "I already looked at that."
Anyway, we all had fun. I took three boys to the aquarium by myself, and no one got lost, AND I wasn't hyperventilating by the end. So, that's cool.
The rest of the weekend was great. Those cousins just played and played.
And Chris and Ali are always such a pleasure to hang out with. We went on a nice little bike ride/nature hike up this canyon to a little barn which was fun. I was however quite surprised to have to fight over nature with all the bay area folks. We got there and there were probably 150 parking spaces, and it took fifteen minutes to find an empty space, and that was only when I stalked someone who was leaving. Since when do you have to fight for a spot to park on a nature walk? It really made me appreciate where we live.
Speaking of appreciating where we live, I think we are moving. I give equal patronage to the camps of being in complete denial about the situation, being in a state of panic about the situation, and being completely at ease about the whole thing. So, I believe I had mentioned the Carmel Dam Removal Project previously in regards to Dylan getting hired on to Water Systems Consulting, but I will refresh your memory. There is a really big job that is up in the Carmel Valley that his company was hoping to win the construction management on, and Dylan was a strategic hire to help win the job, since he has experience with large water construction projects. Well, he was going to be going up there two or three days a week from April to November for the next three years. They only do construction for six months of the year because they can't hurt the fish in the river, and all the work is in the river. So, I wasn't really looking forward to Dylan traveling, but it was doable. Well, two weeks ago, Dylan's boss literally flew him up to a meeting in Oakland with the client, and they got the job! (His boss is very close to getting his pilot's license, and so needs the flight time, so has flown him and Dylan up to Oakland several times for the meetings they have had. Cool, huh?). Anyway, it is really great they got the job; it is a really big deal for Dylan and for his company. It is a larger project than either of them have done. However, the owner wants the construction manager on site full time during the building period, i.e., Dylan is going to be in Carmel from May until November for the next three years, five or six days a week.
Well, this really changes things for us. We immediately did not think it was reasonable to have Dylan not live with us for the next year and a half of the next three years. So, we will either live up there half of the year and live down here for the other half, or move up there entirely for the next two and a half years (starting this June). At first, we were leaning toward splitting it up, because most of the work on the off-season is down here, but now, I would say we both think moving up there is going to make a lot more sense. The idea of living in two different places for half the year for three years doesn't seem extremely feasible as far as rental leases, schools, etc. are concerned. Also, because it is a design-build project, the contractor will be working on design aspects of the project during the winter months, so Dylan will be up there some, and he thinks he could work on most of his other work from up there in his construction office, and just come down here, as needed.
So, wait? Where did this come from?! I was not planning on moving away from the Central Coast ever!! But really, it is not that big of a sacrifice to HAVE to move to Carmel. The Carmel/Monterey area is about as similar of an area to where we live as exists anywhere. It has almost the exact same climate, it is beautiful and coastal, and it was be great fun to be closer to Chris and Ali in San Jose and the bay area in general. (It is just under three hours away from here). So, I have been driving around town on google maps, and looking up the demographic data on the census, and researching school test scores (excellent), ya know, being generally obsessed about the whole thing. It is more expensive to live up there, and although none of the negotiations have been done with Dylan's work yet, Dylan is not worried about that being a factor in the decision. And I really do get excited about thinking about having a brand new place to explore for new restaurants and do new hikes at. I already looked through my Monterey/Carmel Day Hike book. But the thought of leaving our friends here is absolutely heartbreaking. And the thought of moving everything in our house makes me want to curl up in the fetal position in the corner. I mean, I have moved lots in my life, but not in a long time, and never with three kids. When we moved here, Ethan was six months old, and we had movers pack us up and move us. Even just all the address changes we would have to make make me sick to my stomach. And we have accumulated A LOT of stuff since then. So, the task is daunting.
So, that is that. We do not have to decide immediately. We would move in June right before or right after going out for the family reunion and Cami's wedding (Yay!). However, when I think back to how quickly the last four months went, I know there is not much time.
Okay. I have so much more that has happened for us since halloween, but I am pushing it on kid patience. I have resorted to television for a babysitter. So, I had best stop here, and catch up more later. Let's just leave things with a few pictures, since we've had lots of words on this post.
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