Gobble, Gobble

We had Thanksgiving with our Grenadian family this sunday, 30 people somehow squished into our apartment, and I loved it.  The women especially are fabulous.  They make everyday a little brighter and every adventure more fun.  From these women I learn so much, mostly how to be a better friend.  I love them and was so grateful to spend a Thanksgiving evening with them.  This isn't to discount their fantastic husbands, our band of men who were women-less, and our replacement parents the Bushes.  Everyone contributed excellent dishes and Stephanie made a succulent turkey.  Despite the fact that there was only room to sit and no room to walk around, the evening was perfect, only made better by a group game at the end and some stomp practice (don't ask).  Anyway, thank you to everyone who made it wonderful.  I love you all!

An homage to the fact that Emily's eyes are never open!

Fabulous chocolate turkeys made by Sara just for the kiddies.

My favorites!

Thankful

For Thanksgiving this year it was just the three of us.  My fabulous friends joined me in the morning to watch the parade and teach me pie baking skills, and then I spent the rest of the day making my first Thanksgiving dinner.  Because of cost, we did a turkey roast in the crock pot, and it turned out great.  And I loved making all of the other dishes and spending my day in the kitchen.  A lot went awry, like Jackson dumping the garlic powder all over his bed, or the rolls refusing to rise, but sitting down with just the three of us at dinner and realizing all we have to be thankful for made it my favorite Thanksgiving ever.

The fabulous Peaches and Cream Pie Amber taught me to make.  Loved it!

Merry Anniversary: Anniversary Part II

Our real anniversary was on Sunday, so after church we wanted to enjoy the day with Jackson and Dustin wanted to put his previous cooking plans into action.  We used the day to decorate for Christmas, set up the Christmas tree, and eat a delicious dinner prepared by Jackson and Dustin.

Boy in a box. I love his crazy faces.

Our very homemade star. But he was so excited to place it on the tree.

Steak with an amazing marinade and sauteed mushrooms, baked potato, fried plantains, and avocado.

Happy Anniversary!

My 7 year anniversary with Dustin this year was very surprising. And not just because of the sweet things he did for me, but because I had literally forgotten about it, and special occasions are something I just don't forget.

The Friday before our anniversary Dustin Skyped me asking if he could have the car on Saturday.  I told him I had enrichment to attend, plus a lot of work, and I probably continued to babble about all of the things I needed to accomplish.  He then said that he had wanted to take me on a surprise date.  So we tried to make it work for that night, although I hadn't showered, had been working all day, and the house was its ordinary i'm-too-busy-to-clean mess.  I wrote to some of my friends about how sweet it was of my husband to plan a date, relating how unusual it is for him to plan anything.  Dustin came home, running circles around me, buying special groceries and arranging babysitting.  Finally I asked, "What made you want to do such a special date tonight?" And that is when he sputtered, "It's our anniversary!"

So....he was planning this romantic cook out on the beach and with some swimming (or for some of my more discerning friends, probably some water polo).  But being so sweet, he changed the plans for me to just a nice dinner at a restaurant and a movie.  I sound so lame, but I was exhausted from the week of work, and Jackson, and attempted cleaning, and I just wanted some simple time with Dustin.  We went to see The Help with lots of popcorn and candy, ate a late dinner at Umbrellas, and took a long stroll along the beach.  Real date nights happen so rarely lately that just being with each other away from the house was wonderful.

Dustin is the most amazing father, friend, member of our church, student, and any other thing you can think of.  But what he is best at is being a husband.  He laughs at my jokes and makes me laugh.  He can get into a fiery political conversation with me and then discuss scriptures.  He always makes me feel beautiful and smart and he drives me wild when he uses medical terminology :)  He is my best friend and the best companion and I can't wait to spend the next  7 years and beyond with him.  I love you Dustin.  And just remember...I chose you!  So never forget how lucky you are :)

Fleeting

Tonight, as I was washing dishes, my last chore before I could climb into bed and fall asleep to my latest novel, with the television on to keep me company and my back to the hallway, I heard Jackson's door open, followed my his footsteps. He emerged sleepy eyed in his discount pink Dora pull-ups announcing that he was awake. He often says this when he comes into our room at 5:30 in the morning or after waking from a nap, so as to quickly remind us of what we might ignore and end up putting him back to bed. So I scooped him and Charlie up, his bear that I am quickly coming to realize is a new member of the family, and I laid him in bed.  I covered him with his favorite blanket, placed his head on his favorite lion pillow and started to leave the room.  But with a yawn, Jackson asked, "Mommy, please lay with me."  Now normally I have to be strict with bed times, because for every inch I give Jackson he takes 11 more.  But as I curled up next to him and watched his eyes blink, one, two three times before closing, I thought, "I am all that matters in the world."

I am all that matters to my little monster. He needs only me to lay by him to fall asleep, only me to play hide and seek, only me to set up his train tracks, make paper turkeys, finger paint and read at night. Only me to kiss his owies, teach him to swim and cool down his food before his first bite.  And as he slept tucked under my arm I also realized that it will only be me for a little while. As Jackson's world expands, so will what matters to him. So from now on I am going to take each snuggle, each hug and kiss good night, and even each tantrum, and love it for knowing how fleeting it all is.

Charlie

Jackson has a little bear.  This little bear's name is Charlie.  This little bear has a very high, squeeky voice.  This little bear likes to talk, a lot.  When we kiss Jackson, we have to kiss this little bear.  When we hug Jackson, we have to hug this little bear.  When I need Jackson to do something, like put his shoes in the basket, throw trash away, pick up his toys, he will do it if I ask his little bear.  When we ask Jackson to pray, he asks his little bear.  Jackson loves this little bear.  This little bear is driving me crazy.

New Blog!

I have started a new blog about fertility. It is just in the beginning stages but I hope for it to be informative and heart felt. Please share any ideas you may have to help me to make it better. Also, I would love to include your own infertility story or piece anytime, so email it to me at lyndzee.durham@gmail.com.

Thanks!

http://heartofinfertility.blogspot.com/

I Love These Women

Activities have been poorly attended in the past, but this Saturday was phenomenal. We had an amazing turnout for the Relief Society broadcast and the spirits and love of all of the women there were felt throughout the evening. We had a dinner before hand, and while there were a ton of dishes, they were pretty much all devoured before the broadcast, women even fighting over cheesy potatoes and cornbread.

I love these women, the way they made me laugh as they hid chocolate cake to take home. I love these women, the way they brighten the room with their laughter. I love these women, and their willingness to serve each other and others. I love these women, and the way they make me want to be a better woman too.




Photos courtesy of Michelle Greer. Thanks Michelle!

Forever Family

There are so many things that I have missed blogging about, and the more I miss the more overwhelming it gets and the more I miss...it's a vicious cycle. But I am not going to let all of that keep me from recording some of my more precious moments. And tonight I wanted to give you a glimpse into my forever family.

I taught the lesson in Nursery on Sunday (Sunday School/day care for 18 months to 3 year olds) and the lesson was on temples and forever families. I held up a picture of a temple and we talked about our different families and how we can be together forever. Of course none of them were listening, my child especially, and I can't quite say there was a strong spirit in the room, but the lesson made me love my forever family even more.

Tonight is Family Home Evening, and for those who don't know what that is, it is every Monday night where we spend time together as a family learning spiritual things as well as playing together as a family. Now it would be a lie to say we actually do this every Monday night, or that when we do it is anything more than a song and playing cars with Jackson, but we try. And we are rewarded with these efforts with a night like tonight.

Dustin is home tonight! He took a test today and has the evening free, so him being home for more than just a quick dinner and bath duty is wonderful. We ate dinner, watched the Curious George movie, which Jackson has declared as his favorite, and Dustin and Jackson played cars. Then we laid on our bed with only a desk light on while we sang songs and Jackson happily jumped back and forth between us giving us hugs. We even taught him to sing the "try, try, try" part of the song, "Jesus Once Was a Little Child", so look for a coming performance. Dustin taught about Lehi, the Liahona, and building the boat. We sang the boat song, or better known as "Nephi's Courage", and then Jackson said the prayer. Just a side note: It is amazing how well Jackson prays with us now when just a month ago he didn't even want us to pray. Now, during any type of family prayer, he has to say the prayer and he says his Amens with all the reverence in the world. I love this. Anyway. We finished the prayer and that is when we heard the thunder. And I don't just mean heard, I mean felt it in our bones. I love thunder but this scared me to death! Jackson, however, only smiled and started to bounce. We spent the rest of the night going room to room and turning off the lights so we could watch the lightning show, finally ending in Jackson's room with him wedged between Mom and Dad and falling asleep. I love my little man more than anything. And Dustin isn't too bad either. I want to have these nights every night but I know Dustin's crazy schedule makes them all the more valuable. I love my forever family and I hope you enjoy your forever family too. G'night!