Update on the Chickens...

Not one, not two, not three, not four, not five, not six, not seven, but 8 eggs today! That means that everyone of our chickens laid an egg today. (Lindy ended up being Lindon and he is the most gorgeous rooster I have ever seen...black and white with a huge red comb...) For those of you not familiar with chickens, they don't lay everyday...more like 80% of the days that have at least 14 hours of sunlight. So this is a rare occasion. We average 3 or 4 a day the past few weeks. I am thinking that a quiche will be in our future. Maybe for dinner tomorrow night. Man, if I only had a cow, then I could make some blueberry crepes with fresh cream...I know...I have weird dreams.

MoonHawke

It's for real...we are going to move. The check has been sent. The application is approved. I even drove up to the house today to plant the first crop in the garden. In Oregon, you can plant alot of stuff in early spring because it doesn't snow in April! Sorry Utah...This home is unique. The gardens are all organic. Not a drip of Round-Up is used. Blueberries, apple trees, pear, plum, kiwi, grape vines and a perennial herb garden are all well established. There is a ton of art in the yard varying from a Japanese lady to dragons and toadstools. Rose vines, arbors, clematis...its going to be gorgeous in a couple of minutes! You have a perfect view of Mt. St. Helens and Mt. Baker?...anyway, lots of white peaks. It's less than half of the rent we are paying now, has a small red barn, an outhouse, and metaphysical symbols hanging on the siding. It is the quintessential hippie house. The kids seemed to enjoy the tromp through the woods today and Patrick found an old cabin and some forts in the sticks. I planted my Broccoli Raab, Organic Red Potatoes, Spinach, and Peas. The soil was amazing. Every spade full was loaded with worms and it was extremely workable. I am in love already. It needs a good weeding and cleaning. The green carpet seems to be my lot in life, but besides that, I think I will be mighty happy here. Christian is the only one that is a bit disappointed. He really loved Wilsonville, but we are supposed to be in Sherwood. The house was given a name by the owners and it even has a round painting depicting MoonHawke, it's name. I fully admit that I am a moderate Liberal so I think I will fit right in. It is just awesome that these people love their land so much. The fire pit will get a ton of use this summer and fall. These things just don't exist in Suburbia. And I for one, wouldn't trade them for the common floor plan and sidewalks. There is something about being surrounded in nature that just makes me happier than a kid in a candy store. I will miss this slice of Heaven that we live in now, but I get a view, more money and peace...can you put a price on that?

Spring...time for a fresh start.

I fell off the band wagon in March. Two weeks I only exercised 4 days a week. And then last week, while I was in Utah, I didn't even put on my New Balance shoes once...I was a slacker! Why did I break this great habit I have had since November? Well most of it had to do with stress and lack of sleep. And the rest, well I just needed a break. And I got one over Spring Break. Every single day I sat in the bathtub for an hour and read. Not only did I finish "Sara" but I also started and finished "The Glass Castle" and "Mary Martha and Me." My mind is full of juicy tid bits and quotes from these great books. I spent any spare moment reading instead of sweating.

Today I jumped on the bandwagon again full force. I have my gym membership for one more month and I plan on taking full advantage of it. So today I tangled with the elliptical. Four minutes into it, I was going 7.4 miles and hour and had a severe case of burning lungs, but I couldn't stop! Why you ask, well I was listening to some pretty serious 80's dance music and I just had to go fast! 20 minutes later, I was still keeping my pace and I hadn't keeled over yet, so I kept going. 43 minutes into it, I looked up to see a "vision" of what I could be like next year if I wasn't careful. You see, in the treadmill in front of me was this "hippie chick" complete with crocheted bag hanging from the side bar, tank top, no bra and unshaven legs...I just couldn't go on! I moved to the treadmill after 2 minutes of enduring her sight. I know, I must be shallow, but I am moving into the "hippie house" next month and I fear that all the peace love and joy of that place will turn me into a hippie. I promise to always shave my legs, wear a bra (gross!!) and listen to 80's dance music! Tomorrow, I will venture out again and try desperately to keep going and I will hide the chocolate chips!

Grammy Great

We all, at some time in our lives, think about what the end will bring for us. Death can be sad or freeing, depending on length of life or things accomplished. It can also bring joy or pain depending on who you ask. Lucille Tate was Patrick's Mother's Mother. Born in 1917, she has obviously seen alot of change in her life time. I was privileged to meet her days before our wedding reception. If any of you have watched Pride and Prejudice, you would truly understand the statement that Grammy Great was an accomplished lady. Not only did she complete various degrees, raise 4 wonderful children, be a supportive wife, but she also was a great writer and illustrator. Her accomplishments included 3 biographies of apostles of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, but also other volumes on her father, herself, and Jon Huntsman. Her circle of influence spanned far and wide. As I was preparing the displays for the viewing, I marveled at the many accomplishments in her life. Her own son spoke of his mother as being as imaginative as Anne of Green Gables. I must confess that I too have been categorized similarly. Lucille was the epitome of what I want my life to be like. She received an art degree in California, married a wonderful man, raised 4 children, overcame debilitating depression, went back to school for her bachelors and masters and eventually received an honorary doctorate degree from BYU, wrote and illustrated books, was a wonderful seamstress and interior designer who worked for the church occasionally. Her needlework was flawless. She also served 2 missions, one with her husband and one with her sister when she was in her 80's. She wrote in her journal daily and included drawings and watercolors as well...almost like a blog! But she maintained balance. Her Grammy days were legendary among her grandchildren as they recall tea parties and fun times with Grandma and Grandpa. She took naps and realized she couldn't do everything and maintained structure in her household. If you are feeling a little envious or in awe...just wait...it gets better. Presiding at her funeral was the President of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, Boyd K Packer. (That is like the VP of the Mormons for those of you who aren't LDS) Elder L. Tom Perry was also present (one of the 12 Apostles of our church). President Packer spoke of his love of Lucille and her thorough research for his biography. They spoke every Monday and she and her husband became good friends of the Packers... then, the First Presidency (like the Pope) wrote a letter to be read at her funeral. Indeed she was an elect lady. An example to all, but I especially felt close to her. My "inheritance" was her sewing kit and her scarves. Her talents and aspirations are similar to mine. I can only hope that one day, others will rise up and call me blessed and praise my name as well. Lucille will be missed. She was an amazing inspiration to all that met her, but I am so glad that she was able to finish her course and endure to the end. She and George are looking down on us all, cheering us on through the good and the bad that we all must pass through...we love you Lucille!

Not a Morning Person?

Neither am I. But I am turning over a new leaf. Life has required that of me lately. If you asked me to stay up until 2:00am, I could do it without even batting an eyelash. I always get so much done after the kids go to bed, but....I need to sleep. So I have been scouring all my old magazines, Internet articles, and advice from friends to change this habit that is affecting so much of my life. What I am finding is some pretty interesting stuff.
So what I have come to discover is work within your limitations. I get this one! I always have energy at night and during the day, so I have started prepping lunch items for my children so that they can put their own lunches together and life still runs smoothly. Another little trick, is to prepare that smoothie at night. I love my Blueberry Smoothie with spinach. It makes me feel good just drinking it. But in the morning, I reach for the thing that requires the least amount of energy...and it never gets made. So put all the ingredients in the blender and stick it in the fridge before you go to bed...how novel is that?! It actually worked and the blueberries were still half frozen, the way I like and most of the mess was already put away from last night...
Now for the really doozy....I am getting myself out of bed at 4:45am to go to the gym, while I still can(since we are moving). I didn't do much of anything last week except complain that I had no time to go to the gym. So I did it. I got up after an agonizing night of insomnia and went to the gym with the diehards in the morning. I get back in time to make sure the kids are up and getting ready for school and enjoy my day.
Next, insomnia....I have been struggling with this since January. I just can't sleep at night. My brain is going 100 miles and hour and I can't shut it off. No...I don't drink any caffeine, or take any medication that would keep me awake. Being a light sleeper also is effecting my sleep patterns too. Everytime a mouse trap goes off ( they go off almost nightly....ewww but we live in the country, what do you do?), my husband snores, or one of the kids moves upstairs, I can hear it. When Patrick is gone, I just crank up the Enya and off to sleep I go...but when he is sleeping right beside me, I think I will have to start using my ipod...I need sleep. I know why I am not sleeping...stress...but I am learning to let things go and it still isn't helping. What I really need is a good hot bath and a book, but since that is not an option for the next 1 1/2 months, I must find some other trick to get my self to sleep....

If anyone has any other novel ideas to make mornings easier for me...feel free to comment. I obviously need it!

C Cubed

Christian Charles Carter-Laing was born today, 10 years ago. He is a joy to have as a son. God smiled on me when he sent me this child. He was quite a surprise child, being born 14 months after his big sister. Madeline was not an easy baby. When I found out I was pregnant, I was happy, but extremely scared about having two so close together when I could barely handle my Madeline. I remember vividly coming home from the hospital with him and just weeping because I didn't know how I was going to do it. Madeline wasn't sleeping through the night yet, and was extremely high maintenance. Well, Christian proved to be the best baby in the whole wide world! Seriously, I have never heard of a better baby. He was like clockwork that kid. He slept through the night, from 8 to 8 at 6 weeks. He nursed like a pro. He slept all the time and was content. He never cried. He actually would sit still on my lap at church. God smiled on me for sure!
Now he is 10....where did the time go? He loved moons and trains as a toddler and Kevin would take him out to look at the moon and listen to the "choo choo" whenever it passed by. When he threw a fit, which wasn't very often, he would spin around like the cartoon character Tasmanian Devil. He walked at 13 months and loved playing in the sink and in our pool in Sacramento. He wasn't scared of his Daddy when he looked awful after having Chemo. He is an introvert for sure. Not shy, but a deep thinker. He has always been very close to the spirit world. He is tender. We call him our Little GA (general authority). His prayers will leave you speechless. He has always done well in school, but not because of trying, but because the kid is a genius. I don't say this lightly. Madeline is very driven and at the top of her class and things come easy to her, but Christian is a genius. He doesn't think like a normal person. He is an old soul. The things that entertain his mind are things like world peace, generating clean energy, the systems of the body, etc... This kid just floors me on a consistent basis. His creativity will either breed him for Engineering or a Doctor of some sort. Although his "absentminded professor" ways get him into trouble frequently, he is learning that turning in his homework is important. He isn't concerned with being number one. He isn't competitive. He is a natural at music. He is already composing his own music. He has like 4 invention notebooks floating around. He loves to draw and create. He is socially ok too...not a bizarre nerd, but just a normal kid in that way. He will be attempting Football in the fall. Patrick says that he is a good basketball player and he got his own hoop for Christmas. Soccer was a futile attempt to get that kid to run. He didn't see the point, but was an amazing goalie. He has a good arm and plays football during recess, so we are letting him try it this year. But I worry that he isn't going to be able to handle the intense practices and getting hurt...we shall see. He might surprise us.
He is going through a Long Hair phase right now. He is a very laid back child and I can only think of one thing that he does that annoys me, he is slow as tar. He doesn't have the ability to do anything in a quick manner. He is too busy analyzing and storing all the information in his head to worry about time! Oh, and he has no tact. He just says what is on his mind and needs to learn how to censor himself sometimes. That will come with maturity. But at least he is honest. I don't think he could lie if he wanted to.
The best thing about Christian is his ability to love. He pops out of bed in the morning just to get to my bed first. He knows I will let him come lay with me and snuggle for a few minutes if he gets dressed quick. His love language is physical. We actually have to reprimand him because he tries to hug us while we are eating, talking, etc...he is learning that some people don't like to be touched and that he must ask permission to hug certain people. It seems so foreign to him. I completely understand this, because Physical is my love language. It feeds his soul to be held. He is learning. He is also a service giver. His greatest persute in life is world peace...I am completely serious. This kid is going to go places.
We love this "little man" (that was his nick name when he was young because he was so mature..an old soul) who has turned into "big brain boy" with his astounding intelligence that is too mature for his 10 year old brain. I often marvel at the fact that God allowed me to be his mother. He is one amazing spirit and I am his biggest fan!

Ah Ha Moment...

I find it interesting that in the throws of an intense workout, somehow I get these extremely profound answers to questions that have been plaguing me for months now. ....had to delete the rest because it was just too uncomfortable to read...