Happy Barther's Day Daddy!

Red Robin B-day Burger

Birthday 4-wheeling with brother, Steve

Not a typo. I wasn't quite sure how to put Father's Day/birthday in one word...you can comment if you have a better one :) Depending on how you look at it, Paul either gets an extra special weekend since his birthday falls on or the day before Father's Day. Or he gets gypped since he typically only gets one special meal and cake. Either way, Reina and I just LOVE HIM OH SO MUCH! He is such an amazing husband...especially because he is so patient with me. He always wanted to be a daddy, and every weekend he tears up a little with joy at how awesome it is to be a dad. I hope he isn't embarrassed for me saying that he cries. It's the good kind, I promise. And for those of you who may have forgotten he works out of town all week and is only home for the weekends for the past year and half. We are seeing the end of this soon though, thankfully.
I wasn't quite sure what I could get him this year that he really wants or needs, and something completely different than I've done before so I came up with the following.You're my babe, and we love you!

A Little Help Please?

As I write the title to this post I'm beginning to think of the Beatles songs that have help in them "...help me if you can I'm feeling down".  "...I get by with a little help from my friends." "...Help me Rhonda, Help! Help me Rhonda." Okay, I guess the last song was a different boy band, namely the Beach Boys.
This is not the purpose of this post.
Can I post a phrase or title of any of these songs and put it as the title to my blog entry? Or is there some obscure copyright law that will put my rebellious, pirating shenanigans in prison for re-printing an old "Olan Mills" family portrait, or printing off a copy of a piano piece I want accompaniment for? I've always wondered where they draw the line. Does it infringe on copyright laws to take half of a sentence from a textbook and claim it as your own without citing it? I've never researched where the line is. I was in a meeting and this conversation happened to come up about copyright laws. One lady across the aisle from me said "as long as you aren't copying it to sell then it's okay." Another woman right in front of me said under her breath, "no, it's not okay. That's why there are copyright laws."
So I admit, I have no idea where the line is.
This is not the purpose of this post.
This is what happens when you are writing a blog when you should be in bed.
The real purpose to my post is to ask for a little help please. My "help list" is longer than a 6-year old's Christmas list, but just one thing for now.
Blog help.
I just got done looking at some amazing blogs of people I don't know (uh oh, now I'm in trouble for stalking). How do they format things to make them look so professional? I'm lucky if I even get my pictures to load! I wouldn't even know how to start editing a vlog! They have links to this or that, chat rooms, daily thoughts, categories for their many talents (i.e. photography, journals, recipes, inspirations, quotes, and so on.) I want to do that. How did I miss the savvy blogging class? My husband Paul tells me that all I have to do is play around until I find what works and learn as you go. My problem is I don't remember how I did it the first time because too much time past in between to remember it again. I swear I'll have to write it on a paper step-by-step like teaching someone over the age of 80 how to get on the internet.
I'm becoming old. This is one of the signs right? Not knowing all the bells and whistles of technology. I'm not keeping up with this fast-past technological world.
I guess I have to admit that I get bored of being on the computer...I don't want to waste 20 minutes figuring something out that someone experienced can show me in 2 seconds! Okay, so the lessons I've learned today are to be patient and one usually will do what one wants to do. So maybe I don't want to learn badly enough to figure it out myself. If anyone wants to help me out with my blog, I really would think you were an amazingly, tehcnologically advanced pupil.

Tulip Festival

I am so excited to have a new digital SLR camera! I have been drooling over one for some time now and finally got one...I'm a definite newby and still have to read the piles of manuals on the functions and options but wanted to give it a "test drive" by going to the Tulip Festival in Woodburn. I got a few nice pictures but still have a ways to go. I would like to get a special flash, but will have to do without for a little while.

This was the first Easter that Reina really enjoyed, and we as parents enjoyed seeing her actually get into the Easter egg hunting! The Easter Bunny hid them in rather easy places since Reina is only 2, but she found all 15 eggs in less than 2 minutes! I guess we'll have to tell him to hide them much better next year! It smelled in our fridge terribly because with each egg Reina found she threw them in her basket so ALL the eggs were cracked and the smell of egg wafted through the house.

The last weekend in April/first weekend in May we had the opportunity to visit my brother and his family in Coeur d'Alene for their 4th child's baby blessing, Finn Robert Scarborough. Is was a short but sweet visit. It was nice riding with Grandma and Grandpa Scarborough in their new and roomy Honda Accord, but I guess with 5 people and a car seat it wasn't quite so roomy. Reina had a great time because there was always someone to talk to if mommy was driving or daddy was sleeping. Suprisingly I did the chunk of the driving this time which I rarely do on a trip! We stopped at this great little farm that has fresh-made salsas, dips, flavored popcorns, chocolates, produce...so we tasted a little of everything and ended of course with some yummy ice cream- we stopped both ways :)
My brother and his family live literally right across the street from a great hiking trail along a mountainside. This is always a fun little hike we get to enjoy on our visit to Idaho. Reina didn't join us on the hike because she was busy jumping on the trampoline with six of her other cousins. She opted off the trampoline when the big cousins (Kaija and Riley) were jumping since they could bounce real high. It was a nice break for the weekend to getaway and eat well and play games. Emily always spoils us with good food, and games with my family are always a hoot!

What's Happenin'?

She "gets it"

Besides praying for a healthy baby when I was pregnant, Heavenly Father knew that it was important to me for my children to "get it". I seem to always say to myself that Reina "get's it". I've heard that if you have difficult infants or toddlers then they will be easy teenagers and vice versa. Oh I hope that this won't come to pass. We got blessed with a daughter with an AMAZING personality. She is so funny, quick, witty, and teachable.
Remember, this is our family blog so if you are already disgusted at my complete PRIDE (not the bad kind of pride that we just discussed at church on Sunday) for my daughter then do not read further :)

I have just been amazed at what Reina can do for just being a couple months past her 2nd birthday! I give credit to many people in her life who have helped mold her into her best self. I pray daily that she will be the very best that she can and that as as parents we will learn how to help her be her best self. We are being blessed so much already as she amazes me every day!

Reina has always been very advanced for her age in her ability to learn things quickly and remember them. She has really taken off in her vocabulary since her 2nd birthday since she not only says nearly complete sentences every time, but has so much personality with what she says. She will "read" a book and have lots of phrasing and inflection in her dialogue. Reina will go down for nap with piles and piles of books. Mummi reminds her everyday that "a girl can never have too many books." Now when she goes down for nap she will tell Mummi "a girl can never have two books". Of course she doesn't realize that she has changed the meaning of the sentence into something quite funny!
Mummi and I always comment on how she never "misses a beat". When she sings a song, even if she doesn't pronounce all of the words correctly she will give each syllable a beat. Even her songs are nearly in-tune! That's pretty amazing for such a young age. She never misses a beat in her rhythm either. Sometimes she'll be singing a song or dancing to a song and she'll tap her foot, or swing her arms, or move any body part to the rhythm of the song. I am hoping she will enjoy music as much as her parents do...whether it be band, singing, dancing, or all of the above. She never misses a beat with something going under her radar. She seems to know if you quickly snatched a sweet treat, hid something from her, or are trying to change the subject.
We have also noticed her ability to memorize things extremely quickly and to RETAIN the information. I think she got the latter from her daddy. She remembers stories, songs, words, memories, names, pretty much anything that has come into contact with her...osmosis right? Our kids will do what we do, act how we act, be what they see which is why a good example is something I not only WANT to be better at each day, but because I HAVE TO if I want to keep Reina as undamaged as possible.

A funny story I have to mention on our family blog is one I posted on facebook. A week or so ago I was picking out an outfit for her to wear that morning. It happened to be one of her favorite t-shirts with a kitty on it. When she saw the shirt that awaited her she kept repeating, "Kitty shirt! Kitty shirt! Kitty shirt!" As most of you know, a 2-year old doesn't pronounce everything correctly so it sounded like she was saying "kitty sh**!" Kids say the darndest!

Recently during our family prayers Reina has finally decided it is HER turn to say prayer. Usually mommy or daddy will say it and she will remind us of EVERYONE we have to include in the prayer...yes mommy, daddy, relatives, all of her friends...sometimes repeating extra-special friends. Our family prayers end up being really long. So she decided it is her turn and we are not allowed to help her with it whatsoever! She will even pause and say "hmmmmmm" when she is stuck with someone she forgot to pray for. How could Heavenly Father resist not blessing each and every one of those people that a sweet, little girl prays for? Sometimes I will even try to get Reina to pray for something that I really want so that maybe He will listen to her innocent prayer and bless.

101 Consummations...and Counting

I always want to live life to the fullest and not wind up being 85 years old saying "I wish I would have...". I was thinking about this today and decided to make a physical list of things that I want to do, learn, create, own, etc. These are things that I may or may not have accomplished so far, but seeing them in actual writing will help me to focus and remember what I need to do to get there. Why am I posting this list in my blog? Well, this is sorta our family journal and I do go online at least once a day so I think this is the BEST place for me to actual see what my goals are whether I am at home, work, vacationing in Rome (add to list?), or wherever I may be! I will probably add much more to this post as I can't think of all my possibilities in the twenty minutes I write this post! Feel free to steal any of these ideas, add ideas, or feel proud that you have already accomplished these things. :)

1. Get married in the temple- 8.9.03

2. Go on a mission...with my love

3. Own a new/new to us Honda Odyssey with leather seats and DVD player

4. Be a teacher

5. Have a big family

6. Exercise at least 4 days a week (can't cross this one out until I die)

7. Do something special with dancing talent

8. Teach a dance class or aerobics class 2004

9. Become a certified yoga instructor 2008

10. Become an herbal supplement specialist

11. Have a nice digital camera to capture my favorite people and things

12. Create a health website that includes all the things I hope to specialize in

13. Perform a ballroom dance routine (maybe with Paul if he'll allow it)

14. Play Warhammer one time with Paul

15. Hike all the major spots in the Pacific Northwest

16. Camp via backpacking and canoeing to destination

17. Get organized and updated with pictures

18. Finish (DO) Reina's baby book

19. Learn how to sew (just for home decor/clothing repair)

20. Create my own Tried and True Recipe Book (for my personal odd and healthy palate)

21. Learn how to garden as well as my brother Teem

22. Read all of the Harry Potter novels

23. Host a fancy dinner party where I learn how to make things like Creme Broulee

24. Create artwork for our home

25. Own a home!

26. Take Reina (and more children) to Disneyland with cousins who live in SoCal

27. See the east coast (i.e New York, Virginia, etc.)

28. See all the Church sites east of Utah

29. Go to Zion National Park/Bryce Canyon and possibly try a little rock climbing

30. Have a traditional dinner/movie date with Paul

31. Do visiting teaching faithfully for one year!

32. Fast faithfully for one year!

33. Bear my testimony at church at least twice in a year

34. Own a couple wave runners and a boat

35. Own a little vacation home on a warm lake where I can go crazy with themed rooms, afterall, it's a vaction home!

36. Learn all of the scripture stories with Reina (including names!)

37. Learn how to knit and make a hat, purse, scarf, pot holder, toaster cover (j/k about the pot holder)

38. Have a home with all hardwood floors in the main living areas

39. Have a pottery wheel and use my high school pottery class skills to create gifts and home decor

40. Give a family in need "A Christmas"

41. Donate time and talents in adult care homes

42. Refurbish old furniture

43. Get a pedicure 2009

44. Get a facial

45. Get a professional massage 2010

46. Become endorsed in more subjects as a teacher

47. Sleep in the backyard in a tent with my kid(s)

48. Learn all the state capitals (no, my teacher didn't teach them)

49. Learn how to use Quickbooks and create a budget sheet

50. Do not buy anything unnecessary for 1 month (and then improve thereafter)

51. Learn how to can food

52. Have a year supply of food and water for our family

53. Get a wheat grinder

54. Learn Photoshop

55. Teach Reina how to swim

56. Go to a yoga retreat

57. Read one book a month from the Latter-day prophets

58. Do something nice everyday for someone for a month (and then make it a habit)

59. Get involved in service (not including church callings)

60. Learn how to make pulla ALL BY MYSELF

61. Say only NICE things to my husband for a week (and then improve thereafter)

62. Do a spray tan once (I don't believe in tanning, but sure wish I was naturally tan)

63. Get braces

64. Not eat chocolate for a week (without being sick as an excuse)

65. Not eat chocolate for a month

66. Do a half marathon, or Hood to Coast ( FYI: I have no desire to do a full marathon)

67. Be a part in a play (with my family)

68. Take piano lessons again.

69. Learn how to play my favorite Yanni song.

70. Pick up the flute again.

71. Learn how to play the guitar enough to accompany singing.

72. Get old family videos from VHS fixed and put on newer technology for my mom.

73. Make dinners for a week from "garden only" ingredients

74. Host a Martha Stewart-like holiday meal

75. Get the nerve to sing at a karaoke bar

76. Be a part of the church choir for one year

77. Learn how to make fudge and truffles that actually taste like a "family secret recipe".

78. Teach dancing to kids 2006

79. Create an organic Christmas tree (popcorn, cranberries, pinecones, etc)

80. Bring cupcakes for Reina's kindergarten class (tear)

81. Teach Reina to play the piano

82. Go skiing with Paul (since having a kid)

83. Get a true physical as an adult (cholesterol, lipids, etc.)

84. Go to the Melting Pot restaurant

85. Go on a bike ride and picnic with family

86. Take Reina to the zoo 2/2011

87. Learn how to hold my breath underwater without plugging my nose for more than 3 seconds

88. Own a dog?

89. Go to Voodoo Donuts in Portland

90. Visit college roommates in other states

91. Go see the ruined castles in England and Scotland (for Paul)

92. Go to Portugal with Paul where he served his mission

93. Take Paul to Finland where he can take part in a real sauna, naked and lake jumping!

94. Take Reina roller-skating

95. Brush up on my Spanish so that I can speak near-fluently.

96. Reina meet great-grandmother in Finland who is 89- 8.2010
97. Go to Hawaii with Paul 2008
98. Get trained to teach CPR and First-Aid
99. Get a Vitamix blender and make "green drinks"
100. Send birthday cards to every family member for a whole year
101. Make one patchwork quilt, one time

Oh, What Do You Do in the Wintertime?

There has been a particular Primary song that has been stuck in my head the last week or so. I think it has something to do with the fact that I am dreaming of the sun warming my back, the soft grass under my feet while doing a cartwheel, or playing with my family in the lake. So to bring a little warmth during this cold and lackluster time of year, I dedicate this blog to summer.

Please read in the tune to the song "Oh What Do You Do in the Summertime?" in the Primary Children's Songbook#245

Oh, what do you do in the wintertime, when you are stuck inside?

Do you sing while you ride,

or dress dignified,

or lay at your cousins' side?

Is that what you do? So do I!

Oh, what do you do in the wintertime, when all the world ain't green?

Do you peel tangerines,

or read magazines,

or build your first snowman high?

Is that what you do? So do I!

Oh, what do you do in the wintertime, when all the world is wet?

Do you get a new pet,

or with grandma sit,

or learn at your best friend's side?

Is that what you do? So do I!

A few quick notes since Reina's 2nd birthday in January is that she can officially count to ten in three languages: English, Finnish, and Spanish (actually to fourteen in English skipping twelve). Reina can also, not only say the letters of the alphabet but knows what sound each of them make...yes, even the hard ones like l, n, and x! Mummi and her assistant Elaine have been working with her and the other children on letters/sounds, music, and languages. We feel very blessed that Reina has had such a great place to learn during the week. In fact, tonight Reina was reiterating one of the Spanish videos to me that teaches colors and she clearly sang..."purple- murado, yellow-amarillo, red- rojo, blue-azul, white-blanco, tatata..." and ended with a "pose" just like the lady on the video. Wish my eyes were a video camera so I could capture these memories forever! Let me tell you, kids can learn ANYTHING if you make a song out of it!
I don't remember if I have already posted this, but recently I have gotten back into doing yoga a couple times a week and I showed Reina a few poses such as bridge, downward dog, and plank. I only showed them to her once as she copied me and since then if I call out the poses she will go into them- all from memory! So of course I am a proud mama, as all those mamas out there are proud of their own children- and daddies too :) Rightfully so.