{a dilemma of my own making}

Okay, I can't believe I'm even writing this, but here goes.

Even before I found out I was having twin girls, I had two girl names picked out. I was so certain these were the names, that I even had them embroidered on the Pottery Barn diaper bags I bought. I never wavered--I just knew they were the names.

When we went into the hospital, I decided it might be wise just to have a couple of names as backup--just in case we looked at the babies and the names we had chosen didn't fit. I took a short list with me, but didn't think I would use it.

After the girls were born, I wasn't able to see them until the next day. During this time, I fretted over one of the names I had planned to use all along. I knew without a doubt that Kate would be one of the names, but the other one, Caroline, I started doubting. Someone said something to me about the fact that they would always be called Carolyn (which, I don't care for), and added to the steady drip of morphine and discombobulated hormones I panicked. Why do we name children while in the hospital? Maybe it's just me, but making a life-long decision while under the influence may not be the best thing. :)

So, I named her Emma. Which for the record, wasn't even on my official short list. I had never in my life even considered actually using it as a name. I remember thinking about it, but not giving it much credence. Not that I don't like it, in fact, I think it's a beautiful name, it just wasn't one I thought I would use.
I did use Caroline as her middle name, because I still loved it so much I wanted it a part of her.

Ever since that day, I have regretted it. I thought about changing it back to Caroline right after she was born, and every 6 months or so I have seriously considered it. Every time I see or hear the name Caroline, it reminds me, and I wish that I used it. A couple of days ago, I had a conversation with a friend that started me thinking about it all over again. I don't know why I can't stop thinking about it. Was she "supposed" to be Emma" Or was I totally out-of-it and changed it wrongly? Logically, I know she can be either one, and it really doesn't make a huge difference, but I want it to feel right. I want to call her her name, and know it fits.

So, I'm at a crossroads. If I am going to change it, it has to be NOW. Like this week. She turned 2 a few months ago, but I think she's still young enough to have it work. I wouldn't want it any later than this though, and I'm tired of always thinking about it. I want to make a decision, and follow through with it. I actually call her Emma-Caroline most of the time, and she will answer to either name. Even Kate calls her that, and knows who I'm talking about when I do. For our family I don't think it would be a big deal, but with other people I'm thinking it may be difficult to do.

So, I need your help. I have a few options: 1) leave her name as Emma, 2) hyphenate her name and call her Emma-Caroline, 3) start calling her Caroline. Should I even consider it? Or have a I made my bed and need to live with it? I have gone back and forth for days, and now I really need some perspective. Please tell me your opinion, and the pros and cons you can think of. I need to make a decision and move on--and let her be who she is. So, what do you think--is she an Emma, Caroline, or Emma-Caroline?

{chicago}

We're home! We spent the past week thoroughly enjoying The Windy City, so much in fact, we didn't have time to do all the things that we wanted to do. I guess we'll just have to go back! :)
In the city where we live, there is a wonderful arts center, that is a part of a reciprocal program that most of the museums in Chicago belong to as well. For an annual fee of $60, we not only are members to our own center for the arts, but we can visit any of the other participating museums for free. On our list we had: Museum of Science and Industry, Shedd Aquarium, Navy Pier and the Children's Museum, Lincoln Park Zoo, Legoland Discovery Center (grand opening--US), Adler Planetarium, Buckingham Fountains, and of course the Magnificent Mile. We made a plan outlining which museums we would be visiting each day, but that ended up totally changing. We loved the Museum of Science and Industry so much that we stayed there all day, and thus weren't able to visit some others on our list. I wouldn't change a thing though--Ryan was in heaven, and even the girls (that I worried about a little) did really well and enjoyed everything too.
Thanks to a great tip from a friend, we found a really, really good deal on a hotel, and stayed in Schaumberg, not too far from downtown. We took our time in the mornings, eating breakfast, getting ready, and just being more relaxed, which we all needed. We stayed downtown all day, and then drove back for dinner, swimming, and more relaxing.
It was such a wonderful family trip--we created a lot of memories together.

SHEDD AQUARIUM





HOTEL ARRIVAL



LEGOLAND DISCOVERY CENTER

I think Ryan was the most excited about going here. He talked about it for weeks ahead of time, and it didn't disappoint. The lego creations were phenomenal, along with the "Dragon Ride", Lego Building room, and the 4-D movie. One of the most amazing displays was that of the Chicago skyline (portion shown below), using more than 10 million Legos!

MUSEUM OF SCIENCE AND INDUSTRY

Wow. This was our favorite place, and we could have easily stayed longer. We weren't able to take pictures in several of the areas we were in, so I don't have as many as I would have liked. We took a tour of the U-505, a German submarine that was captured during WWII. It was the first enemy ship to be captured in 129 years, and played a very significant part in ending the war with Germany. The United States confiscated over 900 lbs. of intelligence, and were able to keep that a secret from the Germans until the end of the war. They also have a coal mine, where you are able to mimic a coal miner's actions--riding down in the elevator, seeing all the machinery, riding in the coal cars, and viewing all the parts of a coal mine. It was fascinating. From farming to chemical processes, they had it all. Rick and Ryan also went in a flight simulator, as part of the US military exhibit. Ryan was the pilot, and thought it extremely funny to keep is dad upside down the whole time! They had a camera inside the simulator, so were able to not only see, but hear the whole thing. Rick didn't know about the audio, and everyone in the room was cracking up at him and his hysterics. :)

CHILDREN'S MUSEUM

Our last day we went to Navy Pier and the Children's Museum. We didn't have as much time as I would have wanted, because the museum was chock-full of things to do and see. The kids had a really great time.


GINO'S

We wanted to experience Chicago pizza, so we went to Gino's in downtown Chicago for dinner one night. In addition to being famous for their deep-dish pizza, they are also known for having everyone that visits their restaurant sign their name--on walls, railings, booths, picture frames--you name it, it was signed! All I had was crayons, but the kids didn't care. They just thought it was the coolest thing ever that they were allowed to write on the walls and furniture!


I'm so glad we went, and now I'm happy to be home!

{fun in the sun}

The city pool is perfect around 4pm--people are going home, just as we are arriving. We have our pick of the lawn chairs, plenty of space in the shallow end of the pool, and it's not quite as hot. Don't ge me wrong, I love people, but when you have to park the next street over it's just too busy.

My girls don't love being in the water, but they like playing with the water. Ryan is always happy when he has someone to play with, and I'm happy to be outside in the sun.
Oh, and have you noticed that being at the pool makes kids hungry? I can never bring enough snacks, even if we've just eaten. Okay, so maybe it's not just the kids. :)









Hooray for summer!

{little piece of heaven}

Kate was very unhappy right after dinner tonight, and I just couldn't get her to calm down. So, I sat her on the island, told her to close her eyes, and that I would get her a surprise. I went to the pantry, got out some of my chocolate stash, and broke her off a piece. She was scrunching up her eyes, waiting patiently. I placed the chocolate in her little outstretched hands, and left her to her bliss. She took a bite, and then said in her tiny 2-year old voice, "Happy, mom. Happy".

I'm right there with you.

{gardening day}

Tuesday was gardening day, and I finally took some pictures of our garden and the kids working. It was a very warm day, so Ryan took advantage of the watering cans and fountains inside the garden. We were able to cut some lemon basil, and I can't wait to make something to put it in!
I just love that we are learning together more about gardening, plants, flowers, and our earth. Today we were taught about the oak tree--we studied the different types and examined the leaves. We also reviewed what the White Pine and Spruce Pine looked like, and how you can tell them apart. We looked at bugs, and found out about milkweed. The teacher presents the information in such an interesting way that it captivates everyone, children and adults alike.
I'm really anxious to learn all I can, and figure out how to make our landscaping look nice and our garden flourish. Even better is that my kids (at least Ryan :)) are excited about it too.

{my new haircut}

My sister Memorie has been asking me for pics of my new haircut, and I finally got around to it this morning. Ryan took these, and I must say, did a pretty good job! I love this cut--fast, easy, and I can still pull it up when I need to. Great for the summer! I can never seem to grow my hair out anymore. I get to a certain length(shoulders), and I can't stand it anymore. If I could get it past that point, it would be much easier.

{random summer review}

I can't believe the summer is half over! It seems unreal that it's already mid-July. We have been up to a lot, but not so much, all at the same time.

1. Growing grass!

Our biggest project has been (and will continue to be) getting our yard in shape. The grass seed went down and the sprinklers in about 6 weeks ago, and so far the grass is growing fairly well. Coming from a place where everyone puts down sod, this has been a whole new process for me. I'm also quite impatient, and so Rick tries to let me know (pretty much everyday) that it's really going to come in nice and thick...eventually. I had no idea about the regimen involved--mowing schedule, fertilizer, weed killer, etc. Don't let me fool you though, it's absolutely worth it. My kids are outside everyday, as long as I will let them. We purchased a playset, trampoline, and basketball standard from some friends that were getting rid of theirs, and Saturday we moved it over to our house. All I hear is "umpoline", and "jump" from both Kate and Emma, or they want to be on the slide or swing. It is heaven! Popsicles on the back porch are another favorite...as long as we can be outside!
We are going to wait until fall to plant bushes and bulbs, so the rest of our yard looks pretty boring right now. We will be putting in our firepit next weekend, and we already have all the S'mores stuff ready to go!

Here's the backyard with the trampoline and playset as of this morning: (disclaimer: it's mowing day, so the grass is a bit ragged!)



Kate and Emma, enjoying popsicles in curlers (they didn't work so well :) )



2. Rick = Super Dad

I have been gone more than most summers, and Rick has done a GREAT job filling in. In June I went to youth conference for a few days, and I just got back Friday from a week at Girls' Camp. (That in itself is a whole different story--the things I learned! Have you ever played the Skittle game? The one where you pass a bag around, and whichever color you pick coordinates a place in your mouth to put it and keep it until you choose a red one? Mmmmmm....yeah. Let's just say I'm glad there are no pictures. However, spending a week outside at the lake and with amazing girls was wonderful!) I came home to a clean house, laundry done, and a happy kids. Yay!
He did have to learn onew new skill before I left though...putting a ponytail holder in. The girls have long bangs, so it is essential to get them pulled back out of the way. I was quite impressed with it how it turned out, after only one lesson. He didn't dare go near the curling iron, which I use on a regular basis, but we'll save that for future lessons. :) Here are pictures that he took while I was gone of his hair masterpiences:



3. 4th of July

I wasn't able to get 4th of July pictures up before I left for camp, so I thought I would add them now. We had a wonderful day. It started early that morning, with an adults' soccer game. We played hard for several hours, and had a really great time. We BBQ'd with friends in the afternoon, and played sand volleyball. That evening we attended a church dessert party, then stayed to watch fireworks on the church lawn. There are some really perfect days, and this was definitely one of them. Good friends, food, fun, and fireworks! :)






4. Parks, Gardening, and more

I signed the kids up for a gardening class this summer, and we are having a fabulous time. Ryan chose all the different plants for our plot, and then planted them. We go to a weekly class, where we have made scarecrows, learned about different plants and weeds, measured our plants and recorded their growth, watered and weeded, and even harvested a tomato! I haven't taken pictures yet, but I can't wait to show you how well they are doing with it. It's run by a local Children's Garden, and it's been one of the best parts of the summer.

Mostly our days consist of going to the park, hanging out with friends, playing outside, going for bike rides, eating popsicles on the porch, going swimming, and enjoying the beautiful weather.

5. Future Summer Plans

We have even more great times ahead! We are going to Chicago at the end of July, and we are counting down the days. We will be visiting the Field Museum, Children's Museum and Navy Pier, Shedd Aquarium, the Planetarium, Museum of Science and Industry, and the newly built Lego Discovery Center. We are also going to the top of Sears Tower, and riding the train. Some of our good friends are from Chicago, and are kindly giving us the inside scoop on places to visit and yummy places to eat. We can 't wait!!

In August we will be going on our annual camping trip to Sleeping Bear Dunes in northern Michigan. You can't beat camping, going to the beach, climbing the dunes, and being with good friends. It's our favorite thing of the whole summer, every year!

Rick is going to be SuperDad one more time, when I leave in August for a High Adventure with the Laurels on our ward. We will be gone for a few days, and will be camping, hiking, and horseback riding. Dutch oven cooking is on the menu, and just thinking about it makes me hungry!

Of course the beach is an integral part of the summer, and with our favorite beach only an hour away, we plan on going as often as we can!

Did I mention I love summer?

{it's about time}

Yesterday I was out with friends, and I asked them about something I had been thinking about for a little while---getting my ears pierced! They of course I agreed that I should have it done, and so we spontaneously drove over to the mall (the 4 of us, and our 10 kids!).

We really were like teenagers again, picking out earrings, making sure they were straight, and taking pictures (and video...:)). It was so much fun, and I'm so glad they were there with me. I wouldn't have had it any other way!

I also decided I wasn't going to tell Rick, and wait and see how long it would take for him to notice. Well, he didn't end up doing too badly! He noticed this morning, and his first comment was about my new "bling bling". I love them so far, but it is still taking come getting used to. Every time I pass a mirror I do a double take!

It's in the genes...

I adore flip flops. I wear them 12 months of the year. Now that might not mean much if I lived in Arizona, or another warm state, but considering I live in the frozen tundra it is actually quite the feat. I grew up going outside with either bare feet or sandals (it was very warm there), and the dislike of socks or shoes has also stayed with me to this point. (Interestingly enough I love *buying* shoes.)

I bought the girls their first pair of flip flops last year, when they were one year old. They were the kind that had the strap across the back to help them stay on, and they were perfect.
This year, they have several pair, all of them having that strap across the back. Well, the strap on one particular pair kept coming off of the back of Emma's foot, and I had to stop literally every few feet to pull it back up again. Finally, one day when we got home I had had enough, so I took a pair of scissors and cut them off. I had no idea if she would be able to talk in them without it, but it was time to try.

She took to it like a duck to water...immediately started walking around and feeling very proud of herself. Both Kate and Emma l.o.v.e. shoes, especially their flip flops (otherwise known as "schlops"), and they request them as soon as they wake up in the morning. I know the feeling. :)

In case you were wondering what I do all day...

Seriously. Not one meal can pass without my kitchen floor being mopped. Many of the messes occur as they are eating, but when they get the urge to start dropping, throwing, or pushing food onto the floor on purpose, the real fun begins. The other night they were practicing their curve ball with their hash browns, and another particular favorite to throw is ramen (as featured above).

I think maybe I need to put them to work!

10 Reasons I LOVE Summer!

1. Flip flops--LOVE LOVE LOVE them! I also don't have to dress my kids in coats, hats, gloves, and boots to go anywhere--YAY for sandals!!

2. All the yummy food! BBQs, fruits and vegetables, delicious salads--there are so many good things to eat in the summer. I can actually sit down with half a watermelon and eat it all myself! (I can't believe I just told you all that!)

3. Fires in the firepit in the backyard, roasting marshmallows and cooking tinfoil dinners. Yum.

4. The beach! Our favorite beach is about an hour and a half away, and we go several times each summer. We really love it there--perfect water, sand, and even lighthouses! It's a tradition to stop and get ice cream on our way home, and walk along the boardwalk where the boats are docked. It's wonderful!

5. Traveling, exploring, and camping--whether it's a short day trip, weekend getaway, camping, or exploring our town, there are so many fun things to do and see. Our annual camping trip to Sleeping Bear Dunes is one of the highlights of our summer, and we all look forward to it each year.

6. Getting together with friends--there is always a reason to see friends and hang out with them in the summer. Day trips, park days, BBQs, bike rides, swimming, hanging out in the backyard watching kids play, movie nights...I could go on and on and on. I have the BEST friends ever--I'm such a lucky girl.

7. Homemade ice cream. This brings back so many memories of my childhood--my mom always made ice cream on the 4th of July, and I still relate it to that day. We have also carried on that tradition, plus we make it lots more than that!!

8. 4th of July is my husband's favorite holiday, and mine next to Christmas. Parades, BBQs, fireworks, homemade ice cream, good friends, and the celebration of our country and its freedoms--

9. All the green everywhere--I am especially happy to see it after a very long winter of bare branches and "brown"ness.

10. It's not cold. :)

There can never be any doubt...

that I really love my husband. Today I did something that neither he, I, nor, quite frankly, anyone that knows me that I would ever do. Yes folks, today I actually made banana bread.
Now, you may not think that it is that big of a deal, but for me, it was HUGE!! I totally hate, despise, and abhor the very sight, smell, and texture of bananas. When I was around 5 or 6, I ate an enormous amount of dried banana chips in one sitting (my mother didn't know...), and since then, I can't stand to be in the same room with them. Since becoming a mother, I have made some sacrifices for my children, and I do buy them at the store and encourage them to eat them. I just have to buy the really green ones. :)

Poor Rick only ever gets banana bread when my mom comes to visit, and takes pity on him. She always makes it when I'm out of the house, so I don't have to smell it.

This morning Rick asked me to please not throw out the dark bananas (he knows me well), because he wanted to make banana bread while I was at YW tonight. Rick is no baker, and I suddenly realized the depths of his desperation. So, I decided that I would try very hard to make it for him this afternoon as a surprise.

How am I doing? Well, I made it through. I held my breath as I mixed the bananas with the butter and eggs, and I almost threw up only once...maybe twice. I also put chocolate chips in. :) I came close to not putting them in, because I didn't want to waste anything chocolate on something banana, but I figured Rick and my kids would love it.

I know it will be worth it, once Rick comes home and is TOTALLY surprised! Here's my mom's recipe...you'll just have to take Rick's word for it that it's good. :)

BANANA BREAD

1 1/4 c. flour
1 c. sugar
1 tsp. baking soda

Whisk together in small bowl.

1/2 c. butter, very softened
2 bananas, very ripe
2 eggs

Beat these together with a mixer. Add flour mixture and mix well. Pour into a loaf pan that has been sprayed with cooking spray and coated with sugar. Bake at 350 degrees for about an hour.

Happy Memorial Day!

What a perfect day! It truly was, including the weather. We started off the morning by going downtown and meeting friends to watch the parade. I love small-town parades--full of people you know, and fun, homemade floats. The kids always come home with bags full of candy, and love waving flags, sitting with their friends, and watching everything go by. It's the epitome of small-town America, and a wonderful way to celebrate.

We all met up again later that afternoon for a BBQ at the park--we grilled hamburgers, and enjoyed yummy food that everyone brought. I tried a new recipe for Picnic Potato Salad, and it's my new favorite! Baked beans, pasta salad, watermelon, chips, and delicious cookies and cakes were all on the menu. There were games of soccer, kickball, football, sand volleyball, and horseshoes, plus some kite-flying, and kids and adults alike were in heaven. We talked, laughed, played, ate, and just enjoyed the perfect day and each other.

Farm Living

Would you ever want to live on farm? I would! A big white house, with a porch that wraps all the way around the house, a red barn, fields and trees, a creek in the back, horses...

I took my kids to visit a friend yesterday that lives on such a farm. They LOVED it. They saw baby sheep, bunnies, chickens, planted a few lima beans in the garden, blew dandelions, roasted marshmallows over the firepit, saw gigantic beehives, played in the hose, watched flowers being planted, and ran around the yard after the cat, all in about an hour and a half. I actually had to make them come home with me! Ryan also went upstairs to the "Lego attic" with the young boy that lives there--yes, that's right-a whole attic dedicated to just Legos and Playmobil. This kid was in heaven! (So much so, that I have not one picture of him!)

The weather was perfect, the air smelled like a mixture of smoke from the fire, good dark soil, and flowers. I think I'm a country girl--as long as the city isn't too far away...:)

A bargain...and a HUGE first!

The worst class I ever had in my whole life was 8th grade Home Ec. I really liked the cooking and baking sections, but when it came to sewing my whole being rebelled. I wasn't good at it (the teacher also confirmed that), and I didn't like it. I attempted several projects, and in my efforts to get an A, I did give it my all. The sweatshirt I made my sister for Christmas was complete with one large arm and one tiny arm--I didn't realize that a serger would cut off the material in addition to sewing it. The pillow cover I made was far from perfect, although my sweet mother kept it in our living room (perhaps as a small reminder that there was possibly some hope for my homemaking skills). The bookmark I sewed did meet the requirements of different stitches executed, but I don't think I even kept that.

Needless to say, I haven't ever been much on the sewing front. That experience stuck with me--I have shied away from anything to do with it since, and I have done amazing things with duct tape, hot glue, and double stick tape. However, over the past few years, there have been many times that I have wished I could at least perform a simple stitch--curtains, bags, hems, Halloween costumes, and the list goes on. As a mom, I have continued to add to the list of reasons that I should at least have a basic knowledge of a sewing machine.

I had this conversation with a good friend last week, and I told her that at the beginning of the year I made a goal to learn how to sew in 2008. I really wanted to find a good, basic machine I could learn on. She also volunteered to teach me how, and I quickly took her up on that. This particular friend is also the shopping queen of America, and she finds unheard of bargains. I have had her on several occasions,call me and fill me in on a great deal or sale, and then proceed to put something on hold for me until I can get there. I totally love it. Well, the very next day, she called me from Target, and she had miraculously found a Singer, originally $100, for $22!!! It's definitely the machine for me--simple, with a few different stitches and a buttonhole function. Even if it lasts a year, it will be worth it!

If you had asked me even 5 years ago, I would have never thought this day would come. Rick has also expressed his skepticism, but that was after I told him I would be hemming all his dress pants from here on out. :) I think I will start a little simpler than that. Wish me luck everyone--I think I'm going to need it.