- I promised Xiana we were going to be swimming for a birthday party and then failed to make it. As a result, I assured her that we would go, just us two on Saturday. "And my friends!" she demanded, and I consented. So... we went to the indoor pool and had a blast swimming. When Xiana was born I told her, "I don't care what your favorite color is, or if you like butterflies, or what you want to be... that's all up to you. The one requirement I do have is that you like the water." And she does. The only problem is that she is a teeny tiny bit shall we say, fearless? She was jumping off the edge of the baby pool and I was catching her to which she was exasperatedly saying, "no mommy, don't catch me." I was, of course, ignoring her knowing that there was no way my tiny child who can't swim and who isn't allowed to wear water wings in the baby pool could jump in without being caught. So... she ran up the stairs and dashed around the pool to the opposite end long before I could get there and quickly jumped into the pool. The life guard almost had a heart attack and there was an audible gasp from the entire crowd. What did Xiana do? She went under for a moment, pushed herself back up and then tippy toed it back to the other end where the water was no longer over her mouth. And I gasped as I realized that she was right. She could do it. I was scared, but she knew that she didn't need nor want me to catch her. She proceeded to repeat this about a bajillion times and loved every minute of it. Every time the life guard traded shifts the newbie would jump every time Xiana came tearing around the edge... but she didn't notice or care. I think next summer we better work on swimming lessons before she starts jumping into pools that she can't touch the bottom in!
- I heard her crying in nursery one Sunday which is very out of her character. When I picked her up I asked, "why were you crying today?" and she reassured me, "oh, I just tending cry."
- One morning I was reading my scriptures during Sesame Street. She quickly grabbed a spare set and confidently told me, "I reading my scriptures too, my Book of Mormon stories."
- She is suddenly a very complimentary child. For a two-yr-old it's bizarre to hear her handing out the praises. While she was napping I changed for work and when she awoke she said, "I like your dress mommy. That a church dress?" At the pool she went up to a little girl and said, "I yike your swimming suit." And I regularly hear her say such things as: "I yike your hair, shirt, clothes, shoes, hat, whatever."
- She is also very aware of social customs and those around her. A new daily statement from her is, "that girl no say hi me" or "I no say hi that boy" which she is quick to remedy. Unfortunately, this is her perception of EVERY person we come in contact with. So, the lady in front of us in line that can't see or hear Xiana suddenly gets to hear crying, "that lady no say hi me." If a friend is cranky or too young to say hi and bye regularly, she also gets quite upset.
- While typing on her keyboard and talking on her cell phone she said, "oh, I have to go, I have an appointment on my computer.
- At church my dad was on at the pulpit speaking into the microphone. Xiana said, "grandpa up there, I better go get him" and proceeded to walk all the way to the front of the church and climb into his arms.
- Also a reoccurring statement: "Daddy (or Brian) I need more money."
- Bobby and I went to Bully's for dinner and there was a hunting video game right next to us. She went over and got the gun down which, for the record, was bigger than her. She held it up and screamed so loud I think the entire bar heard, "mommy, I shoot the bear with my shoot gun!" Everybody cracked up and Bobby and I marveled at how different her life was going to be than mine. :)
- The other day she was watching a bible movie about Esther. She said, "I no yike her, I wanna watch the Lamanites!"
- While driving home in the evening she assured me that cows live on the moon.
- When we picked Bobby up that night for dinner there was a chair on his balcony, she said, "look at that little chair up there mommy. Bobby used to sit in it when he was a little baby and drink his soda." She has been telling lots of really funny stories like that lately that I'm not quite sure where they come from.
- She is also really good at telling stories about things that happen. After my parents watched her for me one morning she told me, "grandpa hit my eye with him belt and grandma cuddle me cause I cry." I shrugged it off because it sounded so crazy, but later when I asked my parents about it they told me that was exactly what happened. My dad was putting his belt on and it swung down and hit her eye. I told them they couldn't keep anything from me anymore... she would tell on them. Then I realized that went for me as well!
- Brian and I took her to the store and she suddenly asked, "where Carson city?" I have no idea where it came from, but Brian thinks they said it on the radio. At any rate, Brian pointed out the direction to her and she said, "Carson city really fun" he asked how she got there and if she walked or drove and she said, "me walk. Actually, me drive."
- I have discovered that she has memorized a lot of her books. I asked her to read to me one night and she promptly recited page after page of her books.
- She told me yesterday, "you have to cut my fingertails. They are pretty long."
- Brian asked her what his whole name was and she said, "Brian with an X."
Sunday, February 7, 2010
Don't catch me!
Wednesday, February 3, 2010
It smells like smoke in here
I recognize that my title will not be perceived as a positive condition... but rest assured, it is. Here is why: This semester I am teaching at TMCC. For the last 2 years I have taught at UNLV and UNR. I love teaching and I have thoroughly enjoyed my time at the university level. At UNLV and UNR my composition classes consisted of 100% freshman ranging in age from 18-20. It was fun. Many (most) of my students were millennium scholars or their parents were paying for school. Many (most) were living in the dorms or on campus, living it up and experiencing their first "out-of-mom's-house-living-conditions." This is all good and fine. Like I said, I enjoyed myself and felt successful in my endeavors to teach composition. Still, it was a little discouraging knowing that statistically 1/3 of my entire student body would drop out by then end of their first year. Additionally, when the money ran out, 2/3 would not complete their college educations. I ignored these statistics and hoped for the best. At the end of each semester, it dawned on me that I was going to have to let go of yet another group of people I had grown to care about over the course of 16 weeks, and I accepted that as part of the job description (I still do). Suddenly, I find myself in a very different teaching situation.
My first day at TMCC was extremely intimidating as I was aware that my students were going to consist of a more diverse population. I was apprehensive about the fact that I would have students my age and much older. I knew that there would be many second and third career students, back to school parents, and overall a group of people with more experiences to bring to the table. I was also very excited. When I entered my first class, true to my expectations many adults stared back at me. In fact, I think there were only 3 of 28 that were 18-20 yrs. old. I was frightened. But... I pasted a smile on my face and began my intro/lecture. It didn't take very long for me to realize that I needn't have feared. Despite the diverse group of people staring back at me, I was still the expert. I was the one they would turn to for advice, knowledge, and skills. The beautiful part is that in return, I will receive knowledge, advice, and skills. They bring to the table something so amazing. Through their lives, experiences and struggles, they open new doors of communication and expertise. By the time I walked into my 3rd class I felt... home. And all three of my classes smelled of cigarette smoke. *disclaimer* I am not condoning smoking! But I know these people. Even though I no longer smoke, in a lot of ways, I still am these people. I went to TMCC for so long that I had to lose 50 credits because I had so exceeded the cap on transferable credits. But I didn't care. I loved TMCC. I loved the people, the experience, the intimate classes with teachers whom I felt genuinely cared about my success as a student. In short, smelling the smoke and standing in front of the room, I felt more comfortable than I have ever felt in a classroom before. And when I left... I felt more accomplished. I felt like they understood me, just as I understand them. They don't have any inkling about what it took for me to get to where I am. Yet they know it intimately because they are going through the same things. Over the course of the first 2 weeks of class I discovered most of my students are parents, primarily single parents. Many battled substance abuse problems. Many of my older students are utterly terrified about being back in school for the first time since 1982. I am ecstatic to inform them that their experience is truly not so different from that of their peers who just graduated high school. It's always intimidating to start something new. I myself am intimidated and I'm the teacher! But by far, hands down, the single most inspiring thing that I have discovered about my classes this semester is that ALL of them are making sacrifices to be here. They do not have scholarships; their school is not being paid for. I had one girl inform me that she couldn't give me her phone number because she couldn't afford one right now. I know that tuition expenses could afford her that luxury. But she chooses an education. They ALL value what they are doing in ways most freshman cannot yet understand. This is something they have had to work for; to make sacrifices for; and the outcome will be sweet. One girl told me that she always promised herself she would go back to school by the time she was 30. The first day of class was her 30th birthday. What a sense of accomplishment. I feel so privileged to witness their comebacks. To be a part of something so special. And after only 2 weeks of school, I feel like I have already taught them something. And that is truly rewarding (and it's a good thing because part time sure doesn't pay). After class yesterday I had an older student tell me that she had thought about more in the last 2 weeks than she had ever done in all her classes in her life. She additionally told me that she feels that if she had had an English teacher like me in her youth she would be a better writer *tear* I also overheard a girl telling one of her friends as she walked out the door, "I love my English class. My teacher is rad!" It feels so good to be here, where I feel so comfortable, where I started my own educational journey. To be somebody that can make a difference and to secretly know that I am just like the people that I teach. I sacrificed; I worked hard; I lost my way; I made huge mistakes; I fudged my way through class; I worked; I value!
My first day at TMCC was extremely intimidating as I was aware that my students were going to consist of a more diverse population. I was apprehensive about the fact that I would have students my age and much older. I knew that there would be many second and third career students, back to school parents, and overall a group of people with more experiences to bring to the table. I was also very excited. When I entered my first class, true to my expectations many adults stared back at me. In fact, I think there were only 3 of 28 that were 18-20 yrs. old. I was frightened. But... I pasted a smile on my face and began my intro/lecture. It didn't take very long for me to realize that I needn't have feared. Despite the diverse group of people staring back at me, I was still the expert. I was the one they would turn to for advice, knowledge, and skills. The beautiful part is that in return, I will receive knowledge, advice, and skills. They bring to the table something so amazing. Through their lives, experiences and struggles, they open new doors of communication and expertise. By the time I walked into my 3rd class I felt... home. And all three of my classes smelled of cigarette smoke. *disclaimer* I am not condoning smoking! But I know these people. Even though I no longer smoke, in a lot of ways, I still am these people. I went to TMCC for so long that I had to lose 50 credits because I had so exceeded the cap on transferable credits. But I didn't care. I loved TMCC. I loved the people, the experience, the intimate classes with teachers whom I felt genuinely cared about my success as a student. In short, smelling the smoke and standing in front of the room, I felt more comfortable than I have ever felt in a classroom before. And when I left... I felt more accomplished. I felt like they understood me, just as I understand them. They don't have any inkling about what it took for me to get to where I am. Yet they know it intimately because they are going through the same things. Over the course of the first 2 weeks of class I discovered most of my students are parents, primarily single parents. Many battled substance abuse problems. Many of my older students are utterly terrified about being back in school for the first time since 1982. I am ecstatic to inform them that their experience is truly not so different from that of their peers who just graduated high school. It's always intimidating to start something new. I myself am intimidated and I'm the teacher! But by far, hands down, the single most inspiring thing that I have discovered about my classes this semester is that ALL of them are making sacrifices to be here. They do not have scholarships; their school is not being paid for. I had one girl inform me that she couldn't give me her phone number because she couldn't afford one right now. I know that tuition expenses could afford her that luxury. But she chooses an education. They ALL value what they are doing in ways most freshman cannot yet understand. This is something they have had to work for; to make sacrifices for; and the outcome will be sweet. One girl told me that she always promised herself she would go back to school by the time she was 30. The first day of class was her 30th birthday. What a sense of accomplishment. I feel so privileged to witness their comebacks. To be a part of something so special. And after only 2 weeks of school, I feel like I have already taught them something. And that is truly rewarding (and it's a good thing because part time sure doesn't pay). After class yesterday I had an older student tell me that she had thought about more in the last 2 weeks than she had ever done in all her classes in her life. She additionally told me that she feels that if she had had an English teacher like me in her youth she would be a better writer *tear* I also overheard a girl telling one of her friends as she walked out the door, "I love my English class. My teacher is rad!" It feels so good to be here, where I feel so comfortable, where I started my own educational journey. To be somebody that can make a difference and to secretly know that I am just like the people that I teach. I sacrificed; I worked hard; I lost my way; I made huge mistakes; I fudged my way through class; I worked; I value!
Thursday, January 21, 2010
Ice Fishing
This is called an auger. You use it to dig a hole in the ice in order to put a fishing line down a frozen hole and then sleep. It is really hard to use said auger. Do not let Brian fool you into believing otherwise. After I attempted for a long time to dig my very own hole, Brian came and finished it off in a second. I did all the dirty work. Also, when a 13-yr-old digs a hole in roughly 20 seconds, look the other way and pretend you didn't see.
Did I mention that it's hard to use an auger? It takes a really long time and lots of strength.
Okay, maybe just for me, but.... I can say without a doubt that it took 100 times longer to dig the holes than Xiana spent with her fishing line in one. In fact, it's a good thing that I took a picture as soon as her line hit the water, otherwise we would not have had one.
Even more miraculous is the fact that I got a picture with both Ekco's and Xiana's lines in the water.
This is where the sleeping part comes in.
Just kidding!
Actually, maybe I wasn't... he denies it, but he really was asleep here.
This is what the kids spent the majority of the day doing: playing on the ice. They also managed to use their snow pants as sleds to slide down the banks of the lake.
Believe it or not, ice fishing was fun! Mostly I played with the kids on the ice. I think everybody around us hated us because we didn't have proper quiet fishing mode on. But, in the end it didn't matter because when the game wardens showed up we were the only ones left on the lake.
The best part was that I got a chance to catch up on some reading and Brian got to catch up with one of his old buddies. All in all it was a really great day.
Did I mention that it's hard to use an auger? It takes a really long time and lots of strength. 
Okay, maybe just for me, but.... I can say without a doubt that it took 100 times longer to dig the holes than Xiana spent with her fishing line in one. In fact, it's a good thing that I took a picture as soon as her line hit the water, otherwise we would not have had one.
Even more miraculous is the fact that I got a picture with both Ekco's and Xiana's lines in the water.
This is where the sleeping part comes in.
Just kidding!
Actually, maybe I wasn't... he denies it, but he really was asleep here.
This is what the kids spent the majority of the day doing: playing on the ice. They also managed to use their snow pants as sleds to slide down the banks of the lake.
Believe it or not, ice fishing was fun! Mostly I played with the kids on the ice. I think everybody around us hated us because we didn't have proper quiet fishing mode on. But, in the end it didn't matter because when the game wardens showed up we were the only ones left on the lake.
The best part was that I got a chance to catch up on some reading and Brian got to catch up with one of his old buddies. All in all it was a really great day.
Our new home
Okay not really, but when we were out in the hills in Battle Mountain we were joking about the old remains of foundations and trailers being our new home. Xiana asked, "this our home mommy?" We found a fridge and 3 beds and convinced the girls that we were all set. We had a fabulous time exploring and the weather was beautiful (even if I did request that we head back to Reno early to beat the storm).
There were two buildings too which makes us rich homeowners. I love being in the mountains and it was really nice for the girls to get to run around and check stuff out.
We were posing on the threshold of our house.
And apparently we also inherited a tractor... we are so fortunate!
Of course now we have to get homeowners insurance to compensate for our loss after the tractor ate my soon-to-be-husband.
The girls traipsed around the foundations discovering a world of treasures along the way. Ekco was even able to point out a few animal tracks and accurately ascribe them.
The old Winnebago was a bit much but.... still neat!
There were several mining shafts and it was really interesting to pick Brian's brain about what everything was, how it was used, what the mines do now (he used to work in a mine).
Brian and his girls.... I hope he gets a boy some day :)
Sack of potatoes!
There is something so dramatic about old buildings. They evoke such a feeling of what was. To think that at one time, this was a running, working mine. Who knows the kinds of experiences that happened right here. So much life for a now lifeless building.
More exploring. The hole in the wall looks like the play boy bunny (Brian pointed this out), but he's right!
Brian found some gold specks in the mountains and helped me and the girls see them.
We also found a cave and ventured inside.
And of course, because we were in the mountains, Xiana got to drive. A trip in the mountains wouldn't be complete without it. She always tells me how she and Brian drive in the mountains and mommy drives on the streets.
They really are beautiful. I tried to take several shots to do a panorama. I think I will be able to put them together after I print them. I love how the lines of snow act as both shading and outline for all the ridges. It makes the mountains breathtaking.
This is Brian's favorite mountain in Nevada... I can see why!
I had to get a picture of Xiana and I in our matching camo (Christmas gifts from Brian).
And I also insisted on our regular Sunday picture in front of the tree. Every time we have gone to church in Battle Mountain I have insisted on a pic in front of this tree. We are getting quite the stock.
There were two buildings too which makes us rich homeowners. I love being in the mountains and it was really nice for the girls to get to run around and check stuff out.
We were posing on the threshold of our house.
And apparently we also inherited a tractor... we are so fortunate!
Of course now we have to get homeowners insurance to compensate for our loss after the tractor ate my soon-to-be-husband.
The girls traipsed around the foundations discovering a world of treasures along the way. Ekco was even able to point out a few animal tracks and accurately ascribe them.
The old Winnebago was a bit much but.... still neat!
There were several mining shafts and it was really interesting to pick Brian's brain about what everything was, how it was used, what the mines do now (he used to work in a mine).
Brian and his girls.... I hope he gets a boy some day :)
Sack of potatoes!
There is something so dramatic about old buildings. They evoke such a feeling of what was. To think that at one time, this was a running, working mine. Who knows the kinds of experiences that happened right here. So much life for a now lifeless building.
More exploring. The hole in the wall looks like the play boy bunny (Brian pointed this out), but he's right!
Brian found some gold specks in the mountains and helped me and the girls see them.
We also found a cave and ventured inside. 
And of course, because we were in the mountains, Xiana got to drive. A trip in the mountains wouldn't be complete without it. She always tells me how she and Brian drive in the mountains and mommy drives on the streets.
They really are beautiful. I tried to take several shots to do a panorama. I think I will be able to put them together after I print them. I love how the lines of snow act as both shading and outline for all the ridges. It makes the mountains breathtaking.
This is Brian's favorite mountain in Nevada... I can see why!
I had to get a picture of Xiana and I in our matching camo (Christmas gifts from Brian).
And I also insisted on our regular Sunday picture in front of the tree. Every time we have gone to church in Battle Mountain I have insisted on a pic in front of this tree. We are getting quite the stock.
Friends
Xiana, like her mother, needs friends. She is not a content-to-sit-around by herself type of a girl. And that works for us because neither am I. We have been fortunate enough to be involved with several play groups and she is the lucky recipient of a whole bunch of cousins. My cousin comes through Sparks pretty regularly and she loves to play with his kids.
This week we went to Coconut bowl and she got to run around with all of her friends in the jungle gym.
Even when she was a tiny baby, she was always more calm when we had company. It's strange that she could be hard-wired that way.
She has mastered the slide and can slow herself down at the bottom as well as climb up to the top all by herself. These slides are not to be taken lightly either... they're fast!
Xiana is a sweet girl who has embraced the terrible two's. I often wonder what on earth happened to my sweet, obedient child. Then I catch glimpses of her in the early morning and in the evening before bed and I am reminded that she is still there beneath the sassy defiance. I have to regularly reassure myself that this phase will not last forever. Still, in her defense, the world is suddenly changing around her and she is trying to make sense of it all. I have been explaining to her that Brian will be her daddy and she refers to him as such about half the time. Last week when it was only about 10% of the time, we met with a photographer and she announced, "Brian my daddy." So she definitely gets it. We spent the weekend in Battle Mountain with Brian's daughter Ekco (post coming soon) and this week our conversation went like this: Xiana: Where Ekco?
Me: Where is she?
X: At her mommy house
M: that's right
X: Where Kylee? (her new cousin)
M: Where is she?
X: At her mommy house
M: That's right.
X: Where Xiana?
M: Where is Xiana?
X: ummm, at her mommy house! And where daddy?
M: at work
X: no! daddy at Kevin house (Brian's brother who just moved in with him)
Like I said, there are a lot of changes taking place and she is trying to make sense of them all. I then tried to explain to her that she was going to live with her mommy and daddy in a few months after we get married. She definitely does not believe me yet. Still, every night when we leave Brian's she cries that she wants to stay at his house so that is certainly a step in the right direction. There are so many confusions in her life that I never dreamed of when I was a kid. Nevertheless, I am not rushing headlong to her defense because part of the attitude is just plain toddler years.
She continues to be very sharp and picks up on everything.
This week we went to Coconut bowl and she got to run around with all of her friends in the jungle gym. 
Even when she was a tiny baby, she was always more calm when we had company. It's strange that she could be hard-wired that way.
She has mastered the slide and can slow herself down at the bottom as well as climb up to the top all by herself. These slides are not to be taken lightly either... they're fast!
Xiana is a sweet girl who has embraced the terrible two's. I often wonder what on earth happened to my sweet, obedient child. Then I catch glimpses of her in the early morning and in the evening before bed and I am reminded that she is still there beneath the sassy defiance. I have to regularly reassure myself that this phase will not last forever. Still, in her defense, the world is suddenly changing around her and she is trying to make sense of it all. I have been explaining to her that Brian will be her daddy and she refers to him as such about half the time. Last week when it was only about 10% of the time, we met with a photographer and she announced, "Brian my daddy." So she definitely gets it. We spent the weekend in Battle Mountain with Brian's daughter Ekco (post coming soon) and this week our conversation went like this: Xiana: Where Ekco?Me: Where is she?
X: At her mommy house
M: that's right
X: Where Kylee? (her new cousin)
M: Where is she?
X: At her mommy house
M: That's right.
X: Where Xiana?
M: Where is Xiana?
X: ummm, at her mommy house! And where daddy?
M: at work
X: no! daddy at Kevin house (Brian's brother who just moved in with him)
Like I said, there are a lot of changes taking place and she is trying to make sense of them all. I then tried to explain to her that she was going to live with her mommy and daddy in a few months after we get married. She definitely does not believe me yet. Still, every night when we leave Brian's she cries that she wants to stay at his house so that is certainly a step in the right direction. There are so many confusions in her life that I never dreamed of when I was a kid. Nevertheless, I am not rushing headlong to her defense because part of the attitude is just plain toddler years.
She continues to be very sharp and picks up on everything.
- The other day I was in the mirror and she came to me and asked, "you picking zits mom?"
- At a sporting goods store in town there is a statue of Abraham Lincoln. A long time ago I told her that grandpa really liked him. Last time we went she asked, "who that guy mommy?" "that is Abraham Lincoln, the 16th president of the country" "oh, and grandpa like him!"
- I regularly say, "shut your mouth" as in, "no way!" and on her phone I overheard her say, "shut you mouth Alicia!" I need to be more careful.
- She also, mimicking Brian said, "you don't tell me."
- Yesterday when we were driving to Brian's house she said, "sun in my eyes mommy, move it" I told her that I couldn't move the sun silly and then she ducked her head down exclaiming, "I did it! I move the sun!"
- On our way back from Battle Mountain I broke the DVD player and I was super annoyed. She reassured me, "mommy let me fix it" after I told her it could not be fixed.
Sledding take 2
We went sledding at our original spot, but this time it was treacherous. The day started with us sledding down the first hill to get to the slope. Last time it was a nice little ride (we were the first ones there) that helped alleviate some of the carrying and walking. This time, it was a little intimidating as it had been packed down and some people were opting to just sled there instead of walking to the slope. I tried to determine which side would be safest and after watching Brian lose Ella, barely holding her by her ankles while her head dragged on the ground, I opted to follow Kevin's path on the other side. Unfortunately, I couldn't see that there were giant wooden posts sticking out of the ground on the other side. So, I put Xiana on my lap and we slid down the hill. Just as we were going over the second hump I looked up in time to hear someone yell, "watch out" and see Brian running at top speed towards us. Honestly, it happened so fast I didn't even have the foresight to try to stop us. Just before slamming into the posts, Brian threw his whole body weight in front of us and stopped us like a tank *thud* That was the first of several painful experiences for Brian. A lady passing by exclaimed, "oh my gosh he saved you," and several people cheered. He really did save us. We would have been in a world of hurt had he not stopped us... instead he was in a world of hurt.
The kids would have been content to just sit in the truck and eat snow all day.
We got to the actual sledding runs and life didn't get much better. Because of the multitude of peeps sledding down the slopes, it was icy and frightening. Some lame snow boarders decided that the sledding hill would be a great spot to build a giant jump... not a good idea. When we got to the top we all looked down in dismay, nobody venturing to go first. Until... of course Brian hopped on for a trial run. He said he would be the Guinea pig... after all, he has insurance (I think this is somewhat faulty logic, but whatever). He went down and hit the first jump *boom* flew into the air but managed to hold on to his tube for a few seconds until *wham* he nailed the second and more significant jump. All I could see was body parts, glasses, hat, and tube flying up in the air in a discombobulated heap. It took a moment to identify limbs from rope and I thought he would certainly step on his glasses buried in the snow behind him. He must have flown 10 feet in the air. He said he could hear everybody groaning and laughing except me... he could hear me screaming. I told him that just shows who loves him most :) Without passing go or collecting 200 dollars he immediately began kicking down the jump. Somebody was seriously going to get killed on that thing. Meanwhile, I took Xiana down to the other side and sledded down a very tame hill. It wasn't nearly as much fun as the big slope; however, we did make it out alive and injury-free. After Brian broke down the jump, I went down by myself several times and it was thrilling. Still, with Xiana on my lap I never ventured to the very top, instead opting to walk part way down and then start at a manageable spot. We did have a good time, but it was precarious at best. Mark took his kids down several runs and mastered the ability to hold them tight. He and Brian raced each other a few times resulting in duo-wipe outs.
My friend Deborah flew in from Vegas that day. It was great to talk on the way up and drink hot chocolate on the way down.
While being dragged back to the car, Xiana fell asleep... just like this. I guess you can't argue with nap time.
The kids would have been content to just sit in the truck and eat snow all day.
We got to the actual sledding runs and life didn't get much better. Because of the multitude of peeps sledding down the slopes, it was icy and frightening. Some lame snow boarders decided that the sledding hill would be a great spot to build a giant jump... not a good idea. When we got to the top we all looked down in dismay, nobody venturing to go first. Until... of course Brian hopped on for a trial run. He said he would be the Guinea pig... after all, he has insurance (I think this is somewhat faulty logic, but whatever). He went down and hit the first jump *boom* flew into the air but managed to hold on to his tube for a few seconds until *wham* he nailed the second and more significant jump. All I could see was body parts, glasses, hat, and tube flying up in the air in a discombobulated heap. It took a moment to identify limbs from rope and I thought he would certainly step on his glasses buried in the snow behind him. He must have flown 10 feet in the air. He said he could hear everybody groaning and laughing except me... he could hear me screaming. I told him that just shows who loves him most :) Without passing go or collecting 200 dollars he immediately began kicking down the jump. Somebody was seriously going to get killed on that thing. Meanwhile, I took Xiana down to the other side and sledded down a very tame hill. It wasn't nearly as much fun as the big slope; however, we did make it out alive and injury-free. After Brian broke down the jump, I went down by myself several times and it was thrilling. Still, with Xiana on my lap I never ventured to the very top, instead opting to walk part way down and then start at a manageable spot. We did have a good time, but it was precarious at best. Mark took his kids down several runs and mastered the ability to hold them tight. He and Brian raced each other a few times resulting in duo-wipe outs. 
My friend Deborah flew in from Vegas that day. It was great to talk on the way up and drink hot chocolate on the way down.
While being dragged back to the car, Xiana fell asleep... just like this. I guess you can't argue with nap time.
Wednesday, December 30, 2009
Going and Going and Going
We had a pretty wild week after Christmas moving into the new year. Brian had family in town and my dear friend Deborah came out for the weekend. We went bowling... Ali played with the kids like crazy.
Xiana started to try to comprehend this new world of cousins and aunts and uncles. One morning I was explaining to her that Brian's siblings would be aunt so-and-so and uncle so-and-so and she said, "and uncle Brian!" To which I replied, "no, silly, he'll be daddy." She pondered this for a moment before responding, "what grandpa name gonna be?" I attempted to help her understand that grandpa's name would not be changing, but she didn't believe me. And this makes sense because in her experience, there is no explanation for grandpa aside from dad. She understands that grandma is my mom, because she has a mom. But grandpa kind of eludes her. When I call him dad she gets confused and I guess has determined that grandpa must be both that and dad. So when I tried to explain that Brian would be dad, it suddenly filled an already ascribed slot. Clever little girl. It's cute to see how her mind works.
She adores her new cousins... all of them!
We had a meeting of the parents for dinner (which went off splendidly if I do say so myself.... not that I had any doubts). The kids went wild. It's really fun for Xiana to now have cousins her age. My nieces and nephews are mostly older than her (not that she minds at all... in fact, she loves playing with the older girls and all her cousins are wonderful with her). Still, it has been fun for her to have kids her age to play with. It will be great to watch them all grow up together.
My dad and (it seriously just now occurred to me) father-in-law... crazy! The dinner was really nice and it was fun to have both sets of parents meet.
The girls had fun playing together as well. Xiana also does not quite understand the whole sister concept. When I tell her that Ekco is going to be her sister she gets mad and insists that she is Ekco, not sister. What a confusing world.... but a loving one! Still, the concept must have crept in a bit because every time Xiana eats now she always puts some aside and tells me, "I save this for Ekco." She has never done that before and she does it multiple times daily so she must at least grasp that Ecko is a special kind of relation to her.
Xiana continues to absorb everything and anything that anybody says. It only takes once. Ekco accidentally taught her, "guess what? chicken butt." after only saying it one time. At story time the librarian asked the kids (referring to the story) and guess what? Xiana bellowed, "chicken butt!" It was really hard not to laugh. One of my regular figures of speech is, "shut your mouth" as in, no way, I can't believe it. The other day Xiana was using her chicken nugget as a phone when I heard her say, "shut you mouth alicia!" It was also hysterical and hard not to laugh. I had a head ache one evening and announced, "I am going to take some ib profin." The next morning she asked me, "you're head hurt? You need profin?" Nothing gets past her! The other morning she exclaimed, "shooot! I forgot my bib!" Later when I was doing her hair I said, "we better get it wet to get rid of the fly aways. She thought for a moment and then said, "mommy, you tell me there flies in my hair?" One day the computer was going really slow and she quite seriously told me, "have to get a new puter." Last night after family home evening she insisted that EVERYBODY in the house had to say prayers with her.... but not out in the living room... we ALL had to come into her bedroom (including Garrett). She also insisted that Garrett participate in singing "Jesus wants me for a sunbeam" and in FHE prayer. She certainly has him wrapped around her little finger. He goes "shopping" with her all day and plays so sweetly with her. One of her new favorite past times is to get her purse (one of many) and go shopping. She often brings her shopping cart, or just her shopping baskets, or one of her strollers depending on if her babies are going to go with her. Then she kisses me goodbye and waves bye for a few and then gets groceries and brings them back home. As a result, there is food and dishes spread from one end of the house to the other at any given time. Another of her favorite games is to play on beds. At home she loves nothing more than to jump on grandma and grandpa's bed, and at Brian's we rarely leave without her convincing Brian to "play on mommy's bed." Life is good.
Xiana started to try to comprehend this new world of cousins and aunts and uncles. One morning I was explaining to her that Brian's siblings would be aunt so-and-so and uncle so-and-so and she said, "and uncle Brian!" To which I replied, "no, silly, he'll be daddy." She pondered this for a moment before responding, "what grandpa name gonna be?" I attempted to help her understand that grandpa's name would not be changing, but she didn't believe me. And this makes sense because in her experience, there is no explanation for grandpa aside from dad. She understands that grandma is my mom, because she has a mom. But grandpa kind of eludes her. When I call him dad she gets confused and I guess has determined that grandpa must be both that and dad. So when I tried to explain that Brian would be dad, it suddenly filled an already ascribed slot. Clever little girl. It's cute to see how her mind works.
She adores her new cousins... all of them!
We had a meeting of the parents for dinner (which went off splendidly if I do say so myself.... not that I had any doubts). The kids went wild. It's really fun for Xiana to now have cousins her age. My nieces and nephews are mostly older than her (not that she minds at all... in fact, she loves playing with the older girls and all her cousins are wonderful with her). Still, it has been fun for her to have kids her age to play with. It will be great to watch them all grow up together.
My dad and (it seriously just now occurred to me) father-in-law... crazy! The dinner was really nice and it was fun to have both sets of parents meet. 
The girls had fun playing together as well. Xiana also does not quite understand the whole sister concept. When I tell her that Ekco is going to be her sister she gets mad and insists that she is Ekco, not sister. What a confusing world.... but a loving one! Still, the concept must have crept in a bit because every time Xiana eats now she always puts some aside and tells me, "I save this for Ekco." She has never done that before and she does it multiple times daily so she must at least grasp that Ecko is a special kind of relation to her. 
Xiana continues to absorb everything and anything that anybody says. It only takes once. Ekco accidentally taught her, "guess what? chicken butt." after only saying it one time. At story time the librarian asked the kids (referring to the story) and guess what? Xiana bellowed, "chicken butt!" It was really hard not to laugh. One of my regular figures of speech is, "shut your mouth" as in, no way, I can't believe it. The other day Xiana was using her chicken nugget as a phone when I heard her say, "shut you mouth alicia!" It was also hysterical and hard not to laugh. I had a head ache one evening and announced, "I am going to take some ib profin." The next morning she asked me, "you're head hurt? You need profin?" Nothing gets past her! The other morning she exclaimed, "shooot! I forgot my bib!" Later when I was doing her hair I said, "we better get it wet to get rid of the fly aways. She thought for a moment and then said, "mommy, you tell me there flies in my hair?" One day the computer was going really slow and she quite seriously told me, "have to get a new puter." Last night after family home evening she insisted that EVERYBODY in the house had to say prayers with her.... but not out in the living room... we ALL had to come into her bedroom (including Garrett). She also insisted that Garrett participate in singing "Jesus wants me for a sunbeam" and in FHE prayer. She certainly has him wrapped around her little finger. He goes "shopping" with her all day and plays so sweetly with her. One of her new favorite past times is to get her purse (one of many) and go shopping. She often brings her shopping cart, or just her shopping baskets, or one of her strollers depending on if her babies are going to go with her. Then she kisses me goodbye and waves bye for a few and then gets groceries and brings them back home. As a result, there is food and dishes spread from one end of the house to the other at any given time. Another of her favorite games is to play on beds. At home she loves nothing more than to jump on grandma and grandpa's bed, and at Brian's we rarely leave without her convincing Brian to "play on mommy's bed." Life is good.
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