Sunshine After the Rain

I am going to get really personal here and tell you and the world that I have really bad PMS. I will spare you the details of despair but I will tell you that it is not just cramps and mood swings. It is a dark and deep hole that I find myself in that I dont know how to climb out of. It is the scariest place I have been, emotionally, and it makes me wonder how people deal with depression on a daily basis. It makes me have a tremendous amount of compassion for them.
So on a lighter note, I am out of that hole and i am standing in the sunshine. i am content and i feel steady and ready to take on the daily tasks awaiting me. I feel refreshed and my mind is somehow clear even though my eyelids are still very heavy. So i am just going to take time to tell my family what i love about them.
Matt- I dont know why but I never thought i would find myself in my thirties watching the Simpsons with my spouse. Last night you begged me to watch it with you and I am so glad i did. We laughed so much, as we do EVERY DAY..TOGETHER. And i realize that laughter is vital for our love because the world we live in and YOU work in is a serious and scary place. Thank you for that laughter and ALL of the MANY wonferful things about you. I could go on and on about this man...
Hayley- YOU are my beautiful burst of sunshine. I love that we can have conversations now and I am fascinated with your fascination with the world around you. As you get older, I see why Heavenly Father gave you to me first. As you go about dreaming of being a mermaid while you sing Taylor Swift songs, I am terrified you will grow up too fast. I want to protect you and cradle that kindness that is in you but let you experience all of the things in life that will make you better.
Leah- Oh Leah. You are just a bag of skittles. So sweet and colorful. But a sticky, chewy, scattered mess when opened. I cannot believe that a 30 lb being can make me feel all that you do. You make me laugh like crazy but you can make me crazy. I know this is just a chapter in your book of development and i will someday miss your care free way about you..which is commonly expressed through your hair-do. Yesterday you asked me if we could see Michael Jackson in his box (casket). You were bummed when I told you that was not possible and then you went on about something else. You are one of a kind. Stay bright. Stay happy. Stay funny.
Reese- I LOOOVE how you swing your arms now when you walk...like there is a happy tune you hear that no one else can. I think that YOU are MY happy tune. Although you are the constant tug on my leg (and you occasionally pull down my skirt in public)all you want is to have me hold you, be near me, do what i am doing and see what i see. Every morning we lay in bed together while you drink your bottle and you are not content unless our faces are touching and my arm is around you. Then you are my shadow for the remainder of the day. Nothing in this world can produce the feeling a mother has for her child. It is God-given and nothing, nothing compares. I think it is God's way of letting us feel what He feels for us.
Motherhood is ALOT of work. It is hard and it is, I think, the toughest part of this life exam. But how else would i be able to feel this joy ? Especially after feeling moments of darkness. I need my burst of sunshine, my laughter, my skittles and my happy tune. :)

Quite the Party!

For Hayley's 6th b-day we had some neighborhood friends over to celebrate. Hayley's original idea was to have a "Taylor Swift" party and dance around and sing to Taylor Swift with her taylor Swift hairdo. I couldnt really picture 6 year old boys enjoying that, so we went crazy with pizza and ballons and pillowcases and candy. i am continuing the traditional "Tootsie Roll monster" that originated from my dad who kindly passed the torch to Matt to be be the new monster. It just involves 1 "sleeping" adult who can growl at kids and handle being surrounded by gobbs of candy without eating it. And the kids loved it..well, all the kids over 5 years of age. Anyways, Hayley had a very happy birthday.

Mini Palos Verdes Reunion

I was able to have a little reunion at my house with friends from the Palos Verdes stake! One of my favorite things is catching up with people from my childhood. All of these people i dearly love and it was so fun to see them. Hopefully more people will come next time!

HOME

Why, why, WHY is that not me standing on the beach?!!! UGGGHHH. It almost causes me physical pain to even look at the picture. Because you see, i spent many summers on that beach, without a care, without knowing how i was aging myself by just LYING there. My worry then was making sure my tan lines were just right. But soon, I will take my kids to that beach and i will tell them lots of stories as i am smearing SPF all over them. Someday. Hopefully soon.
(Thanks to Jenn who took that picture while in Palos Verdes..she shares this love too.)

THE PRAYER OF ALL PRAYERS

This was Hayley's prayer tonight:
Dear Heavenly Father,
thank you for all of the rain today. It was so beautiful. Please dont let my mom do any more work today or tomorrow. And thank you for all this STUFF you made for us.
Amen.

Love that girl.

I LOVE THESE PEOPLE

It all started about 11 years ago when 5 friends from the BYU dorms moved into a 6 person apartment. Angie, being the bravest, took the risk of sharing a room with the unknown mystery roomate. All kinds of scheming plans were made against this person in case she was a nut. Well that person was ME and here we are 11 years later with several children in tow, and we are the same even though our lives have changed. These reunions dont happen very often and this one was FOR SURE way too short. But I loved the conversations, the laughter and knowing that these people are in my life forever. I love you guys!

Rebecca's Wild Water Party- Part II

I cant get more than 5 pics on 1 post..does anyone know how to fix that?

Rebecca's Wild Water Party

Hayley's cousin Rebecca just turned 6 and had all of her cousins and some friends over to play on one of those big bouncy wet thing-a-ma-jiggers and it was SO FUN. Matt's brother Dan was visiting with his wife and kids and when Matt's family gets together you are guaranteed alot of laughter and good times. Here is the proof..

Remember these three?

Happy Fathers Day Matt!

I love how you love our children.
Whether its holding our newborn or tickling our 4 year old, you are good at it. Whether its catching fish or catching escapee crickets, you have skill.
Whether its taking the the kids to Chuck E Cheese or taking them to the movies, you are always willing.
Whether its making them a shake or making them Top Ramen, its is always just right.
Whether the kids are grumpy or sad you can always make them laugh.
Whether you are sleep deprived or fully rested, you are always the best daddy.
AND THAT IS WHY WE LOVE YOU!

Everett

Lets be honest, babies dont come much cuter than this. And when do thighs look THAT good?

Talk of Heaven and Puppets

First of all, let me say sorry for all of the whining I did in my previous post. Hopefully this post will make you laugh. These have been the latest questions from my girls.
hayley: Mom, were Jesus and Heavenly Father soooo tired after they made this world?
Me: well, i dont think they get tired. Their bodies are not like ours. I am pretty sure that they dont need sleep.
hayley: what?! you mean, they get to stay up all night?!
me: they sure do!

Leah was asking me how puppets work and then asked me if WE have hands inside of us that make us move. I told her that our brains make us move. She looked a little perplexed and since then she has asked me at least 20 times if her brain is making her move. wow, how do you explain the human brain....

What's Worse?

What is worse than getting a flat tire in the 2 lane contruction zone on the freeway when you are on your way to Lagoon with 2 anxious kids and you are already running late?
Its waiting 45 minutes for AAA to come because the mechanism to lower your spare is broken.
Then finding your spare close to flat the next morning when you have a crazy day ahead of you.
And you cant find the keys to your other car because well, you are a scattered mom of 3.
Whats worse is realizing you dont have much faith that day so you tell your kids to ask Heavenly Father where to find the keys.
And even if you do find the keys you cant drive the car anyways because the registration is mucho expired and of course you are putting off your emissions and inspection because of the big old crack in your windshield.
And did i mention getting pulled over for expired registration and the cop threatening to impound your car is really embarassing? Especially when you are a cop's wife?
ANYWAYS, I know all of these glitches are trivial in the grand scheme of things and everything is usually great.
But what is worse is that I HAVE NOTHING BETTER TO BLOG ABOUT. NO PICTURES EVEN.

Update from Justin, husband of our friend Michelle who passed away a few weeks ago..

" Today was a great day with the kids. A friend of ours set up for the kids to go meet and ride a couple of horses up in Bell Canyon. The family was so sweet, the horses were so gentle and the kids had an amazing experience. One very special experience was shortly after we got there a huge yellow monarch butterfly came out of nowhere and almost " kissed " Wyatt on the nose before circling Brooklyn'S head twice and then taking off. The lady that owned the horses said that in the 14 years she had never seen anything like that at her place. We all looked at eachother and all of us agreed that it was likely Michelle that was responsible and in her own little way dropping by to say hello and I love you to the kids." -May 30, 2009

Airplanes, Great Company and SWEEET Hair

Today we went up to Hill Air Force base to see the Air show. I must say I was not sure what to expect, but it was such a blast! I am pretty sure half of Utah's population was there, which made people watching extra fabulous. We met up with Matt's brother Jon and his wife and adorable baby which was great. I have to say that my favorite picture of the day is of Jon in his glasses with Chloe in the reflection. My second favorite is of the sweet mullet sported by a 50 year old lady. Very nice.

Just down the street!

I know many of you will be coming to the Oquirrh Mountain temple open house, so stop by ! I am just a few blocks away! I AM TOTALLY SERIOUS.

I RAN A 10-K!!!

Okay, so it was on my treadmill..does that still count? Or do i have to get the t-shirt? i am having some problems leaving the safety of my treadmill and embarking into the outside world of uncertain terrains. i have run outside a couple of times, but it was in the middle of the day, which i am not a fan of. And i am too lazy to get OUT of bed at 6am. Anyways, it just feels great to keep improving and reaching my goals. I would like to give shout out to and welcome back my calf muscles, my collar bone, and tell the 2 abdominals to encourage the other 4 to come out of hiding. And i would like to say welcome to my quads. i didnt know i had any.

Not quite So Cal, but it will do!

There is a man-made, filtered lake here where I live. My kids are happy to be anywhere there is water so today we went to the "beach". I worked on eliminating my awesome farmers tan while Matt paddled around the lake in a canoe. Reese could not figure out what to do when she saw him! So it was a very fun day. :)

A Tender Heart

This morning Leah wanted to watch Matt and I's wedding video. It has very beautiful music playing while Matt and I are roaming the temple grounds just drooling over eachother. I look over at Leah and she is SOBBING! when i asked her what was wrong she said " I really missed you guys that day! uhhg huuu ughh." And then she told me she never wanted to watch it again. Its funny, music really affects her. If i have a slower song playing in the car (even if we are going to Chuck E Cheese's) it will be a matter of seconds before she is crying for Grandma.

Happy Birthday, my Delicious Chunck Of Love.

I am pretty sure that I loved my other babies as much as I have loved Reese..I think. How could I have not, right? But there is this connection with her and i. Something magnificent. Something so great that it makes my heart melt everyday, several times a day. I am her drug and she is mine. Her place on my hip, with her arm woven in mine is just perfect. Seeing her first thing in the morning with her rosey cheeks and her bed head makes my day start out right. Maybe its the fact that she came 3 years after Leah and it was quite awhile before i could behold baby chub again because oh, that chub is cuter than it has ever been. Though chaotic and many moments of self doubt, in this last 365 days she has tapped into the place in my heart where immense adoration flows and love just spills from me. She is my Reesey boo.

Some Great Neighbors

I just randomly took some snapshots of my friend's kids the other day and it was really fun. I dont know why but i love the bike picture. :)

Bittersweet

Our friend Michelle passed away this morning at the age of 28 from cancer. I cannot begin to describe the myriad of thoughts and emotions that have been running through me for the last few weeks and especially the last 24 hours. Matt and I visited her a couple of weeks ago and talked to her at her bedside. She was on oxygen for her delicate body that had been fighting this disease for almost a third of her life. WHAT do you say to someone, especailly someone who is young, that is dying?? i cannot explain what it feels like to be beside someone, someone who is a mother of 3 like me , who will soon lay down their mortal body and whose Spirit will transcend to a place far beyond our idea of perfection. And who will be greeted by loved ones who have gone before her. I wanted to ask what that feels like. HOW do you articulate to your young children that your moments with them in mortality are numbered? What would it take for them to KNOW that you will be ever so near them and that angels will watch over them? What do you say? Of course i could not articulate anything well and it took me all that i had not to openly sobb.
This morning I had a dream that I was rushing to a hospital to see her and it seemed to take forever. And when i got there it was too late and she had passed. Thank goodness our goodbyes here are not really goodbyes. I have absolute surety that Michelle has been released from her mortal body for a short time until the day of Resurrection when her spirit and body will be reunited in perfection. Then she will embrace her children, husband and family again and in that time it will all be clear and all sorrow will cease. What a day that will be.
I came across a quote by Elder Neal A. Maxwell that says " As we wait with those who are dying..we brush against the veil, as goodbyes and greetings are said within earshot of eachother."

this is why where I live is so cool.

The community that i live in has built nothing but new-old houses. All of the different designs are from different time periods. For example, this house looks just like my Grandma's old farm house in Illinois (that is in the next post). I have always had the desire to restore an old home because older homes have so much charm and character. But if you know Matt and I, you know that we are not the handiest people and an old home and its old problems might ruin our marriage.

If I had my choice....

I would be HERE. These are pictures of my Grandma's house back in Illinois, just a few miles from Nauvoo. It is the most peaceful and beautiful place. I was back there with my mom, dad and a couple of my sisters for a family reunion a couple of years ago. My Grandma's house is surrounded by cornfields and dirt roads (that you can drive very fast on). The Nauvoo temple is a few miles away and one of the BEST experiences of my life was going as a family to that temple. It was a very sacred experience. My Grandma always has ALOT of food at her house..fresh corn, homemade apple sauce, cookies and fresh tomatoes with cottage cheese - YUM. I am DYYYING to take my girls back there. Hopefully someday soon.

A Very Happy Mothers Day

How can it not be when yo are surrounded by these wonderful people?

Mom, how much do you love us?

After a long and play-filled day, I finally get the girls bathed, somewhat calmed and tucked in bed. We say a prayer and then AS I AM SHUTTING THE DOOR all of their questions come. Tonight Hayley asks how much i love them.
My response:
More than all of the rocks down by the lake.
More than every cloud in the sky.
More than every drop of water in the lake.
Hayley:
More than all of the people?
More than all of our toes?
More than our house?
Mom, more than soda?
Me:
Welllll. I dont know.
Hayley:
MOM!!!

One Gorgeous Gal

Just so you know..

This is what it looks like when your child almost bites all the way through their tongue...AND THERE IS NOTHING YOU CAN DO. I guess they wont put stitches in a tongue. Leah fell backwards through a folding chair into another folding chair while at a reception. Her tongue bled but NOT as much as i thought it would. There was lots of screaming and crying for Grandma but some Tylenol and a Barbie movie helped ease the pain. SHE WONT EVEN DRINK CHOCOLATE MILK. And she is running around telling everyone "Look! I have hole in my tongue!" Cute Leah.

How on earth????

How on earth do you get a decent picture with a squirmy 11 month old? I must admit this was spontaneous, it was dinner time and i was a little frustrated that Leah drenched herself in REALLY strong smelling lavendar vanilla lotion just prior to the photo shoot.

Happy Birthday Matt! I love you more than ever!

Reasons To Love Leah

#1 today you referring to Rees's bib as her boob.
#2 today you called mashed potatoes "mass pachetos"
#3 You told me that your favorite things are birthday cake, taquitos, cousins and pinatas.
#4 You played well with your friend Ella (who you are obsessed with) and hugged her at least 15 times in 2 hours and yelled I love you out the window after we took her home.
#5 You refer to Reese as your "baby head".
#6 you need chocolate milk like i need Diet coke.
#7 you want to call Grandma multiple times a day. Oh wait, so do i.
#8 You tell me how many poops you will have before you even go.
#9 you are ooober affectionate
#10 you can already talk to me like you are a teenager. scary.

EASTER, BIRTHDAY, BBQ and BARF

We had a very full weekend with lots of candy, cake, Marines and puke. Leah's birthday was on Easter this year which was a special treat. We had a party with some of her little friends on Friday. Then on Saturday we had about 40+ people over for a Marine Corps reunion BBQ. Unfortunately that night I was a little queezy and the inevitable came, which also passed through the kids, my mom and some cousins who are visiting. VERY SAD. So Easter was a little differant this year. I wasnt so excited to pig out this weekend. But Leah had a blast. I love you Leah!

My girls..minus one.

25 RANDOM THINGS IN RANDOM ORDER FOR RANDOM PEOPLE WHO HAVE NOTHING BETTER TO DO.

1. I had been to Hawaii 3 times before i was 14. Dont remember much.
2.I fell down the stairs at prom. It was just one of the larger staircases on the Queen Mary. Yes, I am scarred.
3. I have no desire to ever go to Europe.
4. When i was a kid i use to eat the skin off of the chicken nugget first and then eat the meat. Now i watch my kids do it.
5. I was voted "best dancer" in 8th grade. Heck yes. And i am STILL the best dancer.
6. I have never tried alcohol.
7. But I have tried Diet Pepsi and its a winner! I have a soda everyday and yes, i know its bad for me.
8.I had a picture of Joe Perry, the lead guitarist of Aerosmith, in my locker in grade school.
9.I am allergic to cats and apparently dogs now.
10. My husband Matt is the THE funniest person i know.
11.I am not the brightest crayon in the box. But my mom tells me i have "other gifts" so its okay.
12. Which leads me to say that i barely graduated from highschool and not trying harder in school is my biggest regret.
13.i know this is sad but i am uncomfortable playing with little kids. This is why Matt is so great for me. He is great with kids.
14.I make really good choc chip cookies.
15. Its my dream to go to Martha's Vineyard and sit on the beach dressed in an outfit from J. Crew.
16.I never had braces.
17. I took care of elderly people for a few years and made them promise me they would put in a good word when they died. I hope they remembered.
18.My Granpa's nickname for me was Stinkweed.
19.I wore the same lipstick color for 14 years. I am a little slow in the cosmetic department.
20.I had my first kiss when i was 19 and it was gross.
21. I LOVED giving birth to my girls. LOVED the epidural. LOVED staying in the hospital. Loved the endless supply of Nilla wafers in the hospital.
22. There were very few white people i liked when i was a missionary in New York.
23. I am convinced that it is not "if" but "when" that i will get cancer. Probably skin cancer.
24. I love Haitian and Jamaican food.
25. I still dont understand why I cant be a mermaid part-time.

Good Times. Thanks for coming!

JUST A FEW MORE ( If I step on another cheerio I am going to lose it.)

REESEY & LEAH-LUM

ATTENTION ALL OF MY HOMEGIRLS!

Just an excuse to have a get together. Any friends from childhood to mission to motherhood...come hang! There will be YUMMY food and GREAT people.
WHEN: Saturday March 28th 6pm-?
WHERE: My house (email me for address - lori.oehler@gmail)
There will be lots of food but feel free to bring something to share! You can bring your kids. No gifts.

I DID IT.

Yeseree. I RAN THREE MILES. TRES. WITHOUT STOPPING. This may not seem like a big deal to some of you, but considering I could barely run around my block a few months ago AND the last time I RAN a mile was for my 5th grade physical fitness test. And i am going to keep going until...I look good NAKED. So...BOO YA!

A couple of reasons why Judy is RAD.

Got Dead

Hayley: Mom, I think we should move to Washington.
Me: Why Hayley?
Hayley: because George Washington lived there.
Me: I think George Washington is dead.
Hayley: I think someone shot him in the head. They didnt like his talk. He got dead.
Me: Hmmmm

Leah: Mom, GUESS what I am going to be when I grow up? A grown up.
Me in my brain: deep, very deep.

While out to dinner..
Leah: (crossing her eyes) mommy! there are TWO fans!
This is after she put her WHOLE fist in her mouth to get all of the Ranch dressing off her hand.

AAAANNNDDDD, for the grand finale. Leah, out of her 3 year old rage called Hayley a yit-butt..but said the REAL thing.

Reese: da da da bla bla da (before, during and after her attempt to climb the stairs, unravel the TP, play in the toilet, eat cheerios off the floor and hide from Leah.)
Me in my brain: Amazing, just amazing.

I almost wet my pants.

Okay, i PROMISE i dont watch TV all day but I happened to watch this show last night and oh was it worth it! This hunky guy is the co-founder of Apple computers and could not dance to save his life! I was laughing so hard that tears were streaming down my face. I dont know how to give the link to videos but just go to the "Dancing with the Stars" website and you will be able to almost wet your pants too.

DEEEEELICIOUS

Oh wait, there is one more person i would not mind punching in the face.

TEN!

I am sad to report that our TENTH tree frog has escaped and died. Yep, this is the real-life "frogger" goin' down in our household. (Remember that cool Atari game?) But this frog made it the farthest...all of the way to our mudroom...under my coat that happened to be lying on the floor..ack!!! And just guess who always finds these dead, nasty, dried up froggies? Me! Matt is convinced its not gross. I told him that Reese could have picked it up and put it in her mouth and his reply was that "it would be no different than finding an old cracker on the floor..just more protein." Ughh. Well, at least I know what our lesson will be for Family Home Evening this Monday..."Incompetent Pet Owners". Uh, i mean "Frogs in the Spirit World" or "the Resurrection". I will let you know how that goes.

Such a Great Big Sister!

Baby Bye Bye Bye!

I dont hardly ever get the urge to punch someone in the face, but I wanted to punch her. So did Matt.

The funniest question Leah has asked.

Leah opened my cook book with a diagram like this one, points to the diagram and asks "Mom, where do we live?" I had to tell her that cow was short 41 states.

Magical Moments from Disney World

These are just a few pics from our trip to Orlando. We went to Magic Kingdom, Wild Animal Park, Epcot and Hollywood Studios. We had FIVE fulls days of parks. Three of which we experienced bitter cold weather, which we endured. It was in the 30's at night. But did that stop Matt from taking the girls swimming at 9pm? Nope. I am just going to list some of the highlights...
* Arriving at our resort to find that our room had been upgraded with an extra bedroom, kitchen and w/d!!!
* Watching Matt harass the disney characters..trying to make them break character.
* Listening to Leah say "that was so feakin', feakin', feakin' fun."
* The new Monster's Inc show at the Magic Kingdom is hilarious.
* meeting up with our neighbors and their kids. Also matt's work buddy and his kids.
* We also met a fabulous couple from Canada who we played with. The husband was a cop so Matt and him had much to talk about, while I learned about Canada. :)
* Going swimming at our resort's amazing pool.
*In awe of Reese who managed 3 naps each day among all the over stimulation. And now I know she could survive on graham crackers alone.
* Hanging out with one of my FAVORITE people, Sarah and her family. Playing at Downtown Disney with them, eating 3 huge FREE icecream sundaes and having girl/mom/wife talk in my hotel room with our scrumptious babies while the dad's took the girls swimming.
* Surviving the 3am wake up time for our 7am flight that was almost 5 hours with 3 tired kids.
*Going home and doing NOTHING.

I am SO ready for a vacation! Does this bathing suit make my thighs look big? Maybe i could find a nudist colony in Florida?