Where's the camera?

It's funny how often we take either too many pictures and not enjoy the moment or we're lacking a camera for a really great moment. Here's the transcript of the one I missed last night. Imagine this picture:

Last night the twins were on one side of the table, both in high chairs. Lisa on the opposite side and Sydney on the end. The babies were still hungry after eating through a ton of baby food, but don't like watching other people eat. Lisa breaks off a few pieces of bread and tosses them onto the high chair trays. Sydney starts joining in.

Lisa: "This is just like feeding the ducks."

My mom phrase

"Sometimes we have to do things we don't want to do." I feel like I've been saying this a lot lately. It's becoming my "mom phrase." You know, the phrase you say all the time and then later on your kids will say it and go "aahh! I sound just like my mother!" I don't recall my mom ever saying this to me, so I must have come up with it all on my own. It might have something to do with a certain 3-year-old who's favorite phrase is "but I don't waaaaaaant to." I find myself sounding just like my mom from time to time, but I don't mind so much because if I ended up being just like my mom it would be a pretty good thing. And Sydney talks all the time about how she wants to be a mom when she grows up, so maybe when finds herself using my mom phrase she'll say, "yay! I sound just like my mother!"

Quote the Sydney: The Return

Sydney: Daddy? Baby has been playing with my make-up so she's in timeout.

Daddy: Oh......Ok.

(5 minutes later)

Sydney: Daddy? Baby isn't listening to me so she's in timeout again. Why won't she listen to me?

Daddy: How does it make you feel?

Sydney: Sad.(5 minutes later)

Sydney: Daddy? Baby won't listen to me. Daddy? You tell her she needs to listen to me.

Daddy: (trying to keep a straight face) Sure sweetie.

A New Day

One of the great examples in my life passed away January 27, President Gordon B. Hinckley. It was an amazing funeral, with the spirit strong confirming his example, our beliefs, etc. It's neat to see the new First Presidency, and know the mantle has passed. It's also neat to see the men with the weight of the church on such noble and spiritual shoulders with smiles on their faces. Click on the image to go to the article.

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Shopping

One of the few places I will shop with all three kids is Sam's Club. This is because my list is usually pretty short so it's a quick trip. Occasionally, we can find the double seated shopping carts. Tanner is just getting to the point where he can sit up in those but we have to get one with a working seat belt or else he tips over. On his first ride in the cart seat he held onto the front bar the whole time like he was on a roller coaster. It was really cute. Since Natalie is by far the smallest she always gets to ride in the baby bjorn. If it weren't for the ache I get in my shoulders after a while of carrying her, I would forget she was there. She loves shopping and hardly makes a peep the whole time. Sydney loves shopping too but now its mostly because she wants me to buy her anything that has a princess, scooby doo, or dora on it. She was also very insistant today that she could fit into a pair of 9-month purple striped pajamas.

Date Night

Wow. Who is our favorite family? Ok...so you're not supposed to have favorites, but after five hours of child-free, dinner and a movie (free from a Christmas present from them), free babysitting, etc. how can they not be your favorite?

Friday night, we took the kids up to Rich and Wende's while we went to see the new National Treasure (4 stars!) and eat at Z-Tejas afterwards. It was really odd not having at least one with us, as I haven't been very good lately at taking Lisa on dates without the kids. We are so grateful for the night off. Sydney had a ball with Ethan, jumping on couches and throwing pillows everywhere. They played in the toy room and Sydney just had a great time. The twins were mostly good, but every time I'd call to check up (after movie, after dinner) she said they were just fine, to relax, and enjoy it.

We had fun afterwards hanging out chatting about this and that, finally realizing the very tired eyes of the twins, and headed home around 9. What a great day.

Thank you! Thank you! Thank you!

Big changes, small changes

What makes a man? I've seen people I want to emulate, and I realize how strong my desires are to change to attain their attributes and also to be consistent. I think some of this is mostly 'change and stick to it', but I like to make small changes, as the need arises. Nothing tests this resolve like new year's resolutions. Lisa is always kind to help me try to reach my goals, yet honest. We had a good chat the other day about my heroic ideas of changing all that I want to at once, and trying to make it stick. She's a great example of consistency.

While I'm doing well on some, and struggling on others, I've found confidence and greater resolve in the act of frequent reevaluation. As I look at who I am and what I struggle with, a few constants seem to arise.

1. Anxiety

I think this is my biggest change over the past year or so. I feel so much freedom from anxiety. I felt better off having anxiety over being humble in order to keep from being my worst fear - prideful and haughty. Now I definitely have some pride issues, but that's another entry. Things that are really important to you will always get precedence whether you stress over them or not. The realization now is that with less stress I can spend that worry time enjoying making changes in my life and enjoying becoming who I want to be.

2. Procrastination

This has also been a good change at times, but I'm not consistent. I think this is my biggest struggle right now. I think it partly has to do with having so many things on my plate right now. I think the focus is to remove the unnecessary to make it easier to do what I need to. As with my new year's resolutions, if I put off reading my scriptures until after work, I find I won't get to it until I'm ready for bed. Hopefully removing this beast will lower my anxiety even more.

3. Self pity

And thus the devil's three step plan is complete. I have a memory for what I need to remember (names, phone numbers, etc). Sadly, this also includes a lot of (sometimes painful) memories of past stupidity that brings a quick hand to the forehead. I've noticed a lot less of this going on, and hopefully that's because I'm being smarter about my decisions as well as forgiving myself for past woes.

It's a blessing and a curse to see potential in yourself, but with improvement comes esteem. I've been looking at how to increase my short-term memory lately and have come the the conclusion my issue is confidence. When I'm confident, I remember almost everything I want to.