A Little Satisfaction

For the past several months, I've been involved with a big project at work--preparing for our company's convention. I definitely wasn't in charge of the thing (thank goodness for that!) but as a writer, I was pretty heavily involved. As in years past, I helped write new brochures, pamphlets, and magazines for all of the new products and business tools for our distributors. But this year, I decided I wanted to be more involved behind the scenes--writing scripts for the big shows and helping direct all the action. Not sure what possessed me to volunteer for that! Anyway, it's been pretty crazy the last little while, working really long hours as we scrambled to get everything done in time.

The big event was last week and A was thankfully able to watch the kids while I spent most of the week up in Salt Lake. It was full of rehearsals, blocking meetings, racing around to make teleprompter changes at the last minute, and pulling my hair out when one show ran over by 45 minutes. During the last big show, I stood watching a recap video of the whole weekend and balled like a baby. I was embarrassed at the time to be sobbing over pictures of random distributors, but I think I now know why it happened. First of all, I was so glad to be done. I haven't been this tired in a long time. Second, the convention team accomplished something really wonderful and the people in attendance loved it. And third, I was able to contribute my talents to create something entirely separate from my "mom" duties. Sure, I get to do that on a daily basis with my job, but this gave me a very real and different kind of satisfaction. One of the stage managers thought I was a natural "techie" after hearing me on the headset. I have to admit--it was quite a rush.

I am very glad, though, that the next convention isn't until May 2009. :)

Ode to the T-man

Oh, the T-man. He's 2, loud, hilarious, and the craziest kid I've ever met. He worships the ground his siblings walk on, and repeats everything they say, even though he usually has no idea what he's talking about. He's definitely more wild than our other kids. Our only trips to the ER have been for him. The first was after he got his thumb stuck in a closed door and we were worried his bones were crushed. The second resulted in this:He had decided that you really shouldn't waste any part of the apple, including the core. He succeeded in getting it stuck and having it completely block his right airway. Infection ensued and he had to have a bronchoscopy to get it out. Lovely.

He's also our first to climb out of the crib. He hasn't done it until this past week, so I guess that's good. At naptime, he started climbing out and flinging himself to the floor. He would only sleep if you laid down with him for two hours (yeah, right!) or if he happened to fall asleep on the couch, usually around 4:30 pm.
When he started every morning by clinging to the side of his crib for dear life, we decided it was time for a bed. We already have bunk beds, and had wanted to take them apart to be two beds on the floor, but we had to do a little repair work first. T and H had recently climbed up to the top bed, jumped around, and broke one of the wooden slats supporting the mattress.

Got everything situated last night and he slept in his "big boy bed" for the first time. He slept well, but woke up very early and pretty much lost his mind by the time church rolled around. He's an exasperating kid sometimes, but he sure does make us laugh. :)

Second Honeymoon

When A and I decided to go on a short vacation together, we looked high and low for the most romantic spot we could find... and settled on Salida, Colorado. Not really, but A was invited to do an ultra endurance ride (Vapor Trail 125) that started in Salida (a rather quaint little town surrounded by pretty gorgeous mountain scenery), so he convinced me to come along for the adventure. The kids spent the weekend being completely spoiled by Grandma back home and they loved every minute of it.

We had a long drive to get there and back, about eight hours each way. It's always nice to know that even after eight years and three kids, we still like each other--and we can even carry on a conversation that doesn't involve children, poopy diapers, or discipline. We had a fun little weekend, and with all of the craziness with both our jobs, and the fun that comes with raising three kids, it's good to take some time to just be us again. But we did miss the kids. :)

A, just before the midnight start


After-race BBQ

Rise and Shout

... the Cougars are out! With the first home game a few days ago, we had to dress the kids in all their Cougar finery (thanks to Grandma, of course!). A and H went to the game, and even got to go on the field! Check out that spiral!