Something new

I like to write things down when I learn something new. I thought this was one you all might like to know.

I was playing soccer with Ethan the other day when the game was abruptly paused, because, apparently, I kicked the ball out of bones.

"Out of bones?"

"Yeah. That's what it's called in soccer when the ball goes across the white line."

Hmm. How embarrassing, this mom always thought it was "out of bounds." 

I thought I'd share, because I don't want any of you making the same embarrassing mistake.

I care about my readers like that.

Drew- 19 months

 Sometimes, no matter how hard I look, I just can't seem to find Drew.

 Thankfully, he doesn't make me look for too long.

 This Drew of mine is sure a keeper. He is happy all the livelong day and finds himself to be of the utmost entertainment level. 

 Even when he puts on this pouty face, he's not fooling anyone.

 He's back in action in no time.

 

A few other things about this kid:

• He LOVES milk ("Mi"). Asks for it all day, every day. We've finally narrowed it down to a 3 times a day schedule, but boy does he remember those times.
• LOVES to be outside ("side?"). I even let him run in the rain for about an hour the other night. Hap.py. Camper.
• LOVES cars ("guys"). Has one in each hand about 99% of his waking hours. When he goes to bed at night, he puts them in this special place (his changing table) and says good night to them and is pleased as punch to see them again each morning.
• Also takes a strong liking to trains ("choo-choos") and balls.
• Not so much a fan of blocks, like the twins were at this age.
• He has a soft spot in his heart for dolls ("ba'-bee"). When he sees one, he'll stop what he's doing, call it by it's proper name, give it a love and a kiss on the mouth, then throw it to the side and move on with what he was doing.
• He really thinks he is the funniest person alive. I wonder where he gets that from.
• I like to think we're pretty good buds, but when Greg comes home, it's like, "Mommy who?"
• He has humongous feet. He's already outgrown the shoes Ethan was wearing when he was 2 and a half. He also seems to be pretty tall.
• Has big ears, but you already knew that.
• Life is a race and he still "set.do"s before anything begins. 
• Won't watch tv. Not that I've tried to force it, but if the twins are watching something, he'll watch for a second and then move on. I'd like to take a minute to pat myself on the back, here, because we really have cut tv out of our lives almost entirely. A movie here or there, but no regular watching for this family. 
• He's a cuddle bug. 
• Is not so much a fan of fruit, but he LOVES apples (and says it so perfectly and cute). I know it's a choking hazard, but really, it's the only fruit he'll eat.
• He's not really a snacker (hallelujah), but he will snack on yogurt ("yo-yo") from time to time. 
• If he does take a snack, it better not be in a ziploc bag, thank you very much. He's afraid of those and won't stick his hand in. He'll just dump the snacks out and partake.
• He's a champion nursery-goer.
• Goes to bed without a peep.
• Wants to wear his shoes all day.
• He has the softest, blondest hair and I love it.
• I asked the twins, what does Drew like? Kate said: Going outside and eating cheese and apples.
• Ethan said: Playing with his dad and playing with cars.
• So there you have it. A pretty simple dude.

Andrea's Race

 Warning: This post is high in emotional content and low in Packer children photo content. Proceed with caution.

Three months ago, I could probably count the number of times I had run longer than 1 mile on one hand (that's assuming it's happened at all. I have no memory of it happening, but it might have). This past Saturday, I ran 10.

It was hard. Hot, and sticky. And mile 8, those sneaky little race people, was uphill. My knee was shot when the race began (thankfully, lots of painkillers kept that pain at bay). But I survived. 1:39:22, barely reaching my 1:40 goal.

You see, my dear friend, Andrea, had signed up for this race before she passed away, so all the runners in our ward/stake/neighborhood, and I, decided to run it for her. It was an emotional day for me, to say the least.

It's been a little over 3 months since she died. I miss her every single day. I've grown a lot in the past 3 months, though. Service to others comes easier. Willingness to serve has always been there, but the "just get out there and do it" attitude often scared me. It doesn't so much anymore. Loving others comes easier, too. Even strangers. The relationships that I have with my family and friends are so much stronger. And I'm stronger. Physically, obviously, but in so many other ways, too. Especially spiritually.
And this leaves me feeling... guilty. Guilty that because of another family's loss, I am a better person. Guilty that I am in this first picture instead of her.

 Guilty that I am with my family right now and she is not.

 Guilty that I have grown because she is gone. 

 But it was not my choice that took her from us; I would trade this all to have her back. It was His choice. And I do, I absolutely do, have faith in His Plan. And it is what I do with these situations that are my choice. And I know that if I were not to change because of this experience, THAT would be the tragedy.

So here's to you, Andrea. Look at all the runners you made.

We sure miss you.
(This picture is only about half of us.) 

I am so lucky to have been a part of something like this. I could not possible say that enough.

And here's a shout out to one of the best people I know. Gretchen, a real life runner, ran the whole thing with me.  Would NOT leave me behind and would not let me walk.

 

And if it looks like she's literally pulling me across the finish line, it's because she is. Bless that girl!

 

In case you were wondering...

At the park, the other day, I overheard:

 

Kate: Hi, my name is Kate. K-A-T-E, but the E is silent.

E: And I'm Ethan. E-T-H-A-N. Nothing is silent.

And now you know.

Favorite Things party

 So, a few weeks ago, my sisters-in-law (or is it sister-in-laws) the girls who are married to my brothers, told me about this a.w.e.s.o.m.e party idea. It's called a "favorite things party." Heard of them? Been to 20? Well, I thought it was innovative and I was on it like white on rice. Here's how it works. You send an invite to the coolest chicks you know. Tell them to think of their favorite item in the world that costs around 5 bucks. Have them bring 5 of them, concealed, and show up at your house for the party of the century. 

But first, you must make a banner. 

Because what is a party without a banner? Not a good one, I guarantee it.

When guests arrive, everyone writes their name on 5 slips of paper.

 Then, you eat treats and mingle.

 Then, you go around the room, sharing your favorite thing, proclaiming of its value and pure awesomeness.

 You draw 5 names, and those 5 people walk away with a new favorite thing.

 Since your name was in there 5 times, you each get 5 things.

Awesome, no?

 About half way through the go-around, someone had the brilliant idea, "we should be writing these things down!"

But have no fear when Cassidy is around. See her? The girl on the right in the following picture. 

"I'm all over it," she says. She'd been keeping notes all along.

That Cassidy.

It's no wonder that she's the greatest RS secretary this side of the Mississippi.

 General merriment will flow naturally.

 The only bogey of the evening was this following picture. In my mind, the whole night, I was thinking I was looking pretty good. And since I NEVER have pictures of myself, I made Julie take one with me. I should have just kept with the false illusion that I was looking good. I'll have to remember that for next time. Cause nasty pictures of myself is NOT one of my favorite things.

Since you're dying to know, here's the list of "favorite things."

The Best Christmas Pageant Ever 

sleep mask

nail polish - cherry bomb

cold stone gift card

magic bag storage bags

Wallflower: Creamy Pumpkin scent

yebrow shaver
Revlon Lip Stain lip balm

silicon spatulas

tweezers
fels naptha soap and scrubbers and magic eraser
Saigon cinnamon from Williams Sonoma
Haagen Daz vanilla ice cream
Pumpkin cookies homemade mix and recipe
wooden spoon

Misto oil sprayer
Williams Sonoma paring knife, with cover
Scentportables (for car) Autumn and Leaves scents
Loreal Voluminous mascara
Maybelline Lash Discovery mascara
BBW Mentha Lip Shine
BBW hand soap

vinegar, red vines, Starbucks, pearl earrings, fructis frizz control.
Pilot pens and notebook, The Really Useful Box
nail drying drops
salsa mix, nail polish, eyeliner, scrapbook paper, tamarind juice mix
Burt's bees lip balm with color

It hairspray

I know what you're thinking. That's a long list. It's cause I'm really popular. 

A couple of people were confused and brought 5 different things. It totally worked. Although I feel bad that they had to come up with 5 different things. I had a hard enough time coming up with 1!

All in all, super duper fun party. I highly recommend doing one.