4 Days Till Christmas

We went shopping today (Sage, Great Grandma and I). The mall was insanely busy. I had a gift certificate to See's and I really wanted to use it, so I waited the 30 minutes (or was it more?) to get my pound of chocolates. Everyone in line was in good spirits despite the long wait. I was surprised by this. Earlier in the week Sage and I went to Starbucks to get some gift cards and the barista was handing out free samples of Caramel Hot Cider. Sage's eyes got really big when she saw the whipped cream drizzled with caramel sauce. We sat and enjoyed our drink but Sage sort of freaked out when the whipped cream was gone. I said something about apple juice and she looked at me with eyes that screamed, "Why did you ruin my drink with juice? I don't want juice!!" I coaxed her into trying the cider and she took a few sips and then pushed it aside. The whipped cream was great though. Later in the week we took a trip to the zoo and rode the train for the first time. That was a real treat. So, Christmas is 4 days away and many things have been crossed off my checklist: buy presents, wrap presents, order, address and mail Christmas cards, go grocery shopping, remind Sage that Christmas is about Jesus, clean bathrooms. But still, some tasks remain: finish wrapping presents (okay, not totally finished), go to the store again (need more food), clean bedroom, clean kitchen, mop floor, wash all linens and towels, continue to remind Sage that Christmas is about Jesus, and get some sleep. Speaking of wrapping gifts, my sister-in-law did the neatest thing. Instead of using Christmas labels or Sharpie pens (like us) to label her gifts, she put a picture of the recipient on the top of the present. I LOVE this idea. The kids can pick out who gets what present. Genius. We were asked at church last Sunday what our favorite things about Christmas are. Gift giving is at the top of my list, followed by family time and food. I can't wait to see everyone open their gifts this year. I thought I was over counting down for Christmas but I can't help but feel a sense of excitement for the weekend events to come.

On Cooking

Okay, so I am not the greatest cook. I am not even a great cook. But somehow I slap food onto a plate and we all get full enough until the next meal-time comes and I whip something else up to appease our hunger. My latest venture in the cooking world has been pan roasted vegetables. I am actually pretty impressed with how well the veggies taste. Then I made Holly's "man-balls," (meatballs) for homegroup the other night and all but a few balls were left over. So, feeling good with this cooking thing I decided to make some no-bake cookies. Basically you boil some ingredients, add some oats and drop them onto wax paper to cool. It has been a couple of hours and mine are still wet, sticky globs; no hardening happening here. So what is an amateur cook to do? Throw them in the freezer and harden them up! Someone once said it's not the circumstance that makes you, it's how you deal with it. Freezer it is.

Trimming the Tree

Tonight we went to Grandma Cheryl's to trim her Christmas tree. Sage remained interested in the event for close to 10 minutes. She placed the ornaments on the tree in clusters; all the apple ornaments had to be close to one another because they are "friends." After she positioned some apples and santas on the tree she moved onto feeding and putting her baby doll to bed. Aspen wanted only to touch and eat the ornaments, of course. That's why we only visit Christmas trees at the grandparents' houses. They are beautiful and all but I don't know how many times I could say "no, don't touch," or "no, don't eat that," before I would completely loose it. Here are some pictures.

Christmas Lights

I love roaming around neighborhoods to check out the different Christmas light decorations. We kept saying that we were going to go and then something would come up. But tonight we had the perfect opportunity. Aspen was inconsolable from whatever it is that was bothering her and Sage was whining about this, that, and the other, so we decided to pack them up in the car and go "exploring for reindeers," as we told Sage. At first we were pointing out all the giant snowglobes and Santas. By the end of our journey, however, Sage was yelling, "Stop! Wait a minute! I see a reindeer!" Needless to say, it was a great adventure.

Hunger, Part 1

I am seriously questioning what it means to be hungry. A few weeks ago I set out to eat just what I needed to eat. I followed the pyramid, passed on taking second helpings and traded vegetables for starchy snacks (and this is big since I don't really eat vegetables). I was definitely eating enough and yet I felt hungry most of the time (except for when I had the flu, of course. That helped, I guess). So then I started thinking, what does it mean to "feel" hungry. Do I know real hunger? Is this how I am suppose to feel all the time? Hungry? I haven't quite figured this all out, as you see. However, I am beginning to think that my understanding of hunger is way off. I don't even know when part 2 of this discussion will happen, but I thought I would throw this hunger stuff out there since it is something I am struggling through. Any thoughts?

Emerging

I never pray so earnestly to God for deliverance than when I am puking out my guts and pooping uncontrollably. It is in these moments that I am literally brought to my knees. Needless to say, the last few days have been anything but fun. However, I am emerging from the flu epidemic that has past through our family and it looks to be like I will survive. It was questionable there for a moment.

Glass Half Empty

Okay, it's been a week since my last post and I really hope that you haven't deleted me from your favorites already. But, in my defense, this past week has been crazy. Here is a little snapshot of the craziness ....

Have you ever tried to reason with a 2 1/2 year-old? I left Sage's sleeping buddies at my mom's house (penguin & bunny) and this is how things went down as I tried to put her to bed:
Sage: I want my penguin!!!! (screaming at the top of her lungs)
Me: Hunny, mommy left your penguin at grandma's house, so we can't get it until tomorrow.
Sage: But I want my penguin!!! (red faced, big cry)
Me: Sweetie, I know you want your penguin, but it's not here right now.
Sage: I want my penguin!!! (lots and lots of tears now)
Me: Look, we have one of your bunnies (it's a back-up bunny, identical to the other one). At least we have one of your bunnies. Thank goodness mommy kept one bunny at home so you can sleep with it tonight. (don't you see how thoughtful I am and how lucky you are???)
Sage: Maybe grandma can get my penguin.
Me: No, grandma is at home and she can't bring us the penguin. I am sorry. Let's be happy we have one bunny. (Really Amber, "let's be happy??")

Okay, so it wasn't the best attempt, and my mom laughed really loud when I retold her my story to which she sarcastically responded, "Doesn't she understand the glass is half-full?" Nope. Ryan is heading over there tonight to pick up the animals just in case I hear cries for "the penguin" in the middle of the night. God knows there is no way I am going to be able to reason my way out of that one at 2 a.m. when all coping skills have exited the premises.

Change

I made a change today. Instead of putting dishes on the right side of the sink counter to dry, they now go on the left side. Okay, okay, I can hear your laughter, but this really is a matter-of-the-heart change for me. You see, a month or so ago Ryan expressed his desire to keep the right-side counter of the sink clear of dishes so that it wouldn't look cluttered. My compassion-filled heart responded (in my head, of course), "Well, he who does the dishes gets to choose. So I choose the right-side. It's what I have done for almost 2 years now." But today something was different. We decorated the house with our Christmas ornaments and items, set up Grandma's Christmas Tree for her and listened to Xmas carols most of the morning. Sometime after the decorating was finished, I decided the dishes needed to be done and just yesterday Ryan had been asking if we had a dish-drying wrack to put on the left-side of the sink. He had again expressed his desire to dry our dishes to the left of the sink. I had to do a little bit of organizing; finding a place for a basket of pens, putting away some cleaning supplies we keep to "the left," and putting the sippy cups away which have lived there for I don't know how long. But, after my heart was into the task, it was easy. I wonder how many other habits I am not kicking just because I am stubborn and don't want to change. I am sure I could list a few million. Guess I better take this change stuff one day at a time.

Smelly Cows

We made the long drive home yesterday, and man did those cows stink it up on the 5! I haven't smelt anything so bad in a long time. When we passed the last batch of cows I felt like we were stuck in a porta-potty with no way out! Sage was pinching her nose and almost in tears saying, "It's stinky, it's stinky," and Aspen was screaming at the top of her lungs, "Get me out of the car!" Ryan played DJ and we karaoke'd our way through the grapevine, singing at the top of our lungs, Sage looking at us like we were crazy while she was watching yet another episode of Dora. Our singing put Aspen to sleep and kept us awake enough to make it the last leg home. It feels good to be home, but I can't say that I don't miss the cabin, the snow, exclusive family time and everything else that comes with vacation. Well, time to unpack, do laundry, clean up after breakfast and do all those other things that come with being back home. Here are the photos from our trip.

I'm Dreaming of a White Thanksgiving?

Look what we woke up to!

Vacation within a Vacation

We haven't had Internet service up here in Tahoe, or so we thought. Ryan tried connecting while up in the loft of the cabin and he was able to get a couple bars, just enough to connect to the world. It's funny, we just had this conversation last night about how great it is to get away without cell phones ringing, emails waiting for responses and tasks luring over our heads. It's a true get away. But the generation X in us still wants to be connected to the world, I guess, because as soon as Ryan told me we had Internet service upstairs I became so excited! So, I am on "vacation," as Ryan puts it. He and Sage are playing video games on the new Wii he bought for church (he has to work it in and get used to it, right?) and I am taking a vacation upstairs. Life is good. It looks really cold outside, wind rustling through the ginormous pine trees, but we are nice and cozy in Grandma's mountain cabin. Later today we are going to venture out to get our family picture by the lake, maybe watch some ice skating in the Town Center and then come back to the cabin to enjoy one last night of our mountain vacation. Some funny things that have happened this trip ...

- We were (okay, Ryan was driving) to the store and took a turn really hard (we weren't lost though -- no way!) and Sage said, "Whoa! Like a roller coaster!"
- Aspen covers up her face with a blanket or whatever she can find and plays peekaboo with us.
- Sage is giving her my little ponies "time-outs" ... (oh gosh! Is that what I sound like?)
- I called Sage a little girl and she said, "Mommy, I am a big girl." And I said, "I know you are." And she responded, "But you called me a little girl."

Okay, "vacation" is over. Time to take a much needed shower. Hope there is enough hot water!

Drive to Tahoe

After two cups of coffee, one cup of tea, one really gross energy drink, a gazillion Dora shows, one viewing of The Little Mermaid (all scary parts neatly edited out by dad), one viewing of Curious George, 1/2 viewing of Cars, one stop at McDonald's, one stop at Togo’s, 2 stops to fill up gas (love the Element, don’t love it’s lack of a gas tank), one Rob Bell sermon and one reading of Parent’s Magazine (with very few interruptions!), we have arrived at Lake Tahoe. Leaving at 4a.m. proved, yet again, to be the solution for the 8+ hour drive to the mountains. Sage pretty much watched TV the entire drive and Aspen took one nap and then just hung out with only a few little outbursts of, “I AM SO BORED!” It is cold but not too cold here. Just enough cold to make it feel like winter is here and it’s actually okay to celebrate Thanksgiving now. A total tangent, but we bought these light-up rubber ducks at the store that can go in water and it is the best $5 I have spent in a long time. Sage and Aspen held one each on the way back from the store, and in the dark our car looked like a disco-teca. Sage calls us back to her darkened bedroom to see the ducks, “glow up,” as she puts it. Needless to say, we are having a blast!

Green Snot

Only a mom's blog could have a title like, "Green Snot." But that is what this week has been filled with. Oh, and seal-like barking coughs. Not Aspen as much as Sage, but one sick kid is enough. Ryan was sick too and then lost his voice from Thursday to Saturday ... the house was eerily silent. But, tomorrow begins a fresh new week. We are off to Tahoe for some much needed rest and relaxation. Wait. Did I just say, '"rest & relaxation?" Okay, so what I meant to say is that we are off on another adventure. We can seriously not fit one more thing in our little box of a car. I mean it. Sage's potty almost didn't make it, but we made room! Ryan is ever the expert car packer. Off we go to create more memories and take more pictures than we will ever know what to do with.

Get some tissue ...

I rarely read forwards. Mostly I delete them before even opening them. But I opened one today, and actually did more than skim the amazing story of a dad's love for his disabled son. Click here for the story and video. Get some tissues.

New Shoes

My mom gifted Ryan and I with a one-night stay at the Cliff House Hotel for my birthday last year. We decided it was time to use it and get away for a minute (which is what is it, right? Just a minute). After we dropped off the kids and their 10 bags of stuff and explained all of the eating and sleeping schedules, we were off! Our first stop, Camarillo Outlets. We did some personal(not "need" but "want" shopping) and Christmas shopping at our favorite stores and then went on to the Adidas Outlet. I go to the Adidas outlet not because I have always found the greatest deal, but because I am always happy with the shoes I find there. Since we didn't have the kids with us, this was an easy task. Ryan searched through all the womens shoes and brought me my size of shoe, all different prices, shapes and colors. Then we found some shoes on the sale rack, not a likely occurrence with a size 9 1/2 foot. I am always weary about the clearance rack. I mean, why are the shoes there in the first place? Regardless, I tried them on. They actually felt really good and they were color-designed for me, gray mesh with blue highlights (I think I have purchased this color shoe for about 10 years). These shoes were about $30. A steal! Then Ryan came around the corner with another box and said, "These shoes are only $17. You could buy 3 pairs of them!" Yeah, and run to the end of our driveway and they would be worn out already. Reluctantly, I tried on the "cheapy" pair. But they weren't cheapy at all. They felt great too. So, with two boxes of shoes under my arm, we headed to the check-out. The man at the register rung the total and said, "$36" and some change. What? Come to find out my $30 pair of shoes were actually only $17 too! A deal of the century! I love shopping experiences like this one!

Needs Vs. Wants

I had a run-in with my wardrobe today, or really, lack of desirable wardrobe. We were getting ready for my sister-in-law's 30th birthday dinner and every item of clothing I tried on was either too pilly (is that a word?), too stretched out, or just plain too out of style! Don't let me lead you astray, I have many clothes, and I can even squeeze into most of them despite leftover lovehandles from two pregnancies (thank you Sage & Aspen). But today I felt like I needed to buy the entire Ross store and makeover my closet. I was actually really frustrated. Aspen probably became dizzy watching me go in and out of my closet as I went through various outfits, nothing of which satisfied me. The worst part was when Ryan tried to look for a shirt for me to wear and actually said, "Wow, you really don't have anything in here." I screamed inside, I need new clothes!

A few minutes later I was pouring some tea into a paper cup for the road and I couldn't help but smile at my clothing catastrophe, or so it seemed. What really do I need, I thought. I need food. I need water. I need shelter. And I need clothing to keep me warm. As I was coming out of my self-obsessed fog I thought of many things, but mostly of others who are in need of just the basics. And yet I have the basics, and God tells me he will provide for all my needs, and I still yearn and cry out for more. So what does this mean for me? For me it comes down to perspective and verbage. Perspective: I have clothes. Are they clothes I love? No, but I have clothes. Verbage: I would love to (instead of, "I need to") buy more clothes, when, if at all, that is possible in the near future. Okay, that's better. Now I can sleep without worrying about all those clothes I need to buy!

Normal Day

Today I made breakfast, ate breakfast and cleaned up after breakfast. Then I made lunch, ate lunch, and cleaned up after lunch. Then I made dinner, ate dinner and cleaned up after dinner. There were many fun moments in between. Like when Sage decided to put her toy turtles to sleep in the back room and we had to whisper for close to 30 minutes while they slept. And then we got a good chuckle when she asked, "May I have more Diego please," in response to us trying to teach her "may I," instead of "I want," or "Milk!" I am thankful for the fun moments that somehow erase the monotony of the day.

3-Tea Bag Day

I thought today was going to be a 3-tea bag day. Allow me to explain. Shortly after we moved in with my mother-in-law, I was converted to Lipton tea from coffee. Shortly after Aspen was born, and no doubt due to many sleepless nights, I added another tea bag to my normal one-tea bag cup of tea. I was tempted to add yet another tea bag to my tea this morning. Aspen was awake from 10:30pm to 12:30 a.m. last night. Sage woke up at 4a.m. because she had lost one of her bunnies. Then Aspen woke up for the day at 6:30 a.m. After Sage woke up at 7 a.m. I loaded up the kids in the jogger and went for a nice long walk, a break for me and fun for the kids (I think). I prayed to God, "Help me be the mom you want me to be today. If I get through today it is by your strength only." And what a mellow morning we have had. Aspen took a 2hr nap, Sage has gone potty all by herself 4 times (that = 8 candycorns), and I was actually able to get the dishes done (they were starting to stink up the kitchen!). I guess I didn't need that 3rd tea bag after all!

Life As Sage Sees It

Sage loves taking pictures lately. She asks for Ryan's camera phone and clicks away! She even arranges her animals to set them up for their portraits. It's refreshing and funny to see the world through her eyes. We take pictures of sunsets, she takes pictures of Care bears. Click here to see her first portfolio.

flickr

Running the Race Together

This morning I was Moira Kelly in The Cutting Edge as she races to the practice rink only to find that her skating partner has beat her to the punch. I arrived at the gym sometime before 6 a.m. to see my workout partner (okay, my mother-in-law) going strong on the elliptical trainer, already breaking a sweat -- aka -- I was way behind her this morning! Beyond running a little late this morning, I couldn't help but feel thankful to have a partner to greet me as I walked into the gym, sleep still crusted in my eyes.

We are going through The Blessing of Friendships in our women's Bible study right now. The first chapter teaches about our need for human relationships, dependency on others and having at least one person to whom you can bring your baggage to, open it up and sort through it all. I am reminded of the Wonder Pets' theme song, "What's gonna work? Teamwork!" Isn't that the truth? We need others to encourage us when we are down, laugh with us when we are up and be quiet with us when there is nothing left to say. We also need others to gently confront us when we have gone astray. And it isn't just one way. We should reciprocate these actions to our friends when the need appropriates it.

The apostle Paul, author of many letters in the New Testament, ran the good race. But he clearly did not run it alone. It seems he, at most times, had others around him, supporting his mission. And he, without a doubt, helped others through his teachings and admonishments to strip away their old self and instead, clothe themselves in Christ's attributes.

I couldn't make it to the gym every Monday and Friday by myself. Knowing that my mother-in-law is waking to her bleeping alarm clock just as early as I am encourages me to roll out of bed, throw on my clothes and head off to the gym. But next time I'm not going to snooze!

A Few of My Favorite Things ...

Have you ever had or have a product that you absolutely love? My sister and I were just talking this morning about the special holiday products that show up on the shelves during Thanksgiving and Christmas. Her favorite, Coffee Mate's Pumpkin Spice flavored coffee creamer. My favorite, Silk's Soy Eggnog. Last year we only bought a couple 1/4 gallon cartons, but this year we know better. I am going to stock up! Aside from special holiday products, I have my favorite everyday products too. Here are just a few ...

1. Trader Joe's (TJ's) version of Yobaby Yogurt. Comes in a 6-pack and a variety of flavors. The vanilla flavor tastes like ice cream! And even more, it's about $.50 cheaper than the Yobaby brand.
2. Vanilla Almond Breeze milk. I am lactose intolerant, and even soy milk can upset my stomach, but this creamy milk is too good to be true.
3. Oregon Chai "The Original Chai Tea Latte." I love that I can make my own chai treat at home w/out the hassle of going to Starbucks with kids and can save a bundle too!
4. TJ's Strawberry Yogurt O's. Cheerios, but better and heartier.
5. $10 step stool from Target. Sage can brush her teeth and wash her hands without me having to hold her up. It also doubles as a bathside seat.

These are just a few things that have been making my life sweeter and easier these days. God is really way too good to us. Really, Soy Eggnog for the lactose intolerant? It doesn't get any better than that!

Another Adventure

We went to Disneyland on Friday. I haven’t been in four years and things have changed a bit. So, after we parked in the ginormous parking structure, took an elevator and then opted no to taking the tram ride (which would have taken an hour at least because of the line) and instead took a nice 5 minute walk to the park, we entered Disneyland. We took some touristy pictures then headed off for a horse ride on the carousel, soared through the air on Dumbo, chugged up a mountain on the Dumbo train and went really fast on the little rollercoaster in Tune Town. I think Sage enjoyed the rollercoaster the most, since she asked to go on it again and Auntie Holly happily took her : ) We had a wonderful time, and even Aspen seemed to enjoy herself on the carousel and just bopping around in everyone’s arms. Auntie Holly bought Sage a stuffed animal Dumbo and she was, of course, thrilled. Dumbo’s ear got a little dirty in the parking lot as we were leaving so grandma Martha patched it up with a Bandaid. Click here to see more pictures of our adventure!

Worm

Sage and I were playing the other day and she found this worm in the mud. She asked me to pick it up for her. I am not a worm person, but who can say no to such a request? After I picked it up and handed it off to her little hands I hardly ever touched it again. Sage took Worm everywhere. He went on a swing ride with her, sat on her pumpkin, swam in the pool we made for him, and even latched onto her finger. He at one point wanted to crawl on my leg and I had to think of something even better for him to do in order to escape the little guy creeping up my calf! I watched Sage play with this worm for close to 2 hours before I finally hit my worm limit and broke out Rachel Ray’s 30 Minute Meals in attempt to diversify my weekly meals. I hadn’t even made it past one meal preparation and Sage said, “Put that down Mommy.” I guess I needed some more worm time after all.

TIVO Kids

We were watching Little Eisnteins this morning and there was an alligator chasing the characters' ship. Sage got up to run to her bedroom and grab her toy alligator, but midway she ran back and pressed the "pause" button on our TIVO player and said, "Okay, now it's paused," and ran back to her room to get the alligator. This is her new thing lately. If she has to leave the TV show she is watching to get juice or a snack or do whatever it is 2 year-olds do, she has to press that little pause button so as not to miss a thing! Ryan and I do just the same thing ... We sit down to watch an episode of Grey's Anatomy and hunger strikes so we hit the pause buttom, grab a snack, and nestle back into our positions to finish our show. It's just part of our generation. So, I guess this means I am accepting that my daughter knows how to use our TIVO and will probably know how to use it better than me sooner or later.

Vertigo

Yesterday, Kate (Darren's girlfriend) and I rode the zipline at Ojai's Forest Home Youth Camp. I let out a yelp when I jumped off the platform and didn't stop squealing until the ride had come to an end.



I have always enjoyed thrills. But I am starting to think that maybe I am too old for all of these high flying adventures because this morning I woke up this morning and headed to the gym, and during my workout I had to stop and rest because my head was spinning. I had the same symptoms last night while sleeping. Vertigo? A bad food bug? Every mother will tell you that postpartum, she could not go on a swing without getting a queasy stomach. I too have experienced the same symptoms upon getting off of a normal swing ride. But then I started thinking ... we start going on swings when we are young and stop around the age of, what would you say, 10? Then we go to Jr. High and High School, then off to College, then get married have a few kids and 10 years later we become queasy while on the playground swing. I think it's age. Whatever the reason, I hope this sea sickness passes soon. What will I say to Sage when she asks me to ride on Dumbo with her at Disneyland this Friday? Sorry sweetie, Mommy's tummy can't handle it!

Helping Hands

I decided to go on a jog this morning with the girls and our dog. I hadn't quite figured out how I was going to go on a run and be back by 9:30 am, shower, get dressed, dress the girls, pack two diaper bags and be at church by 10am, but I figured it would all work out somehow. Thankfully my step-mom Judy stopped by to drop a few things off just after we returned from our run. She was standing in the door while we were chit chatting, and all the while, I am thinking, wow, it would be so great if she could watch the girls while I took a quick shower. I kept putting off asking her. I didn't want to be a burden. Finally, as I looked around my living room blanketed with toys and Sage bouncing off the couches while Aspen was crying to be picked up I decided, I NEED SOME HELP. I asked Judy, and of course it wasn't any big deal at all. But why is it so hard to ask for help sometimes?

Then while I was in our church service holding Aspen, my good friend Maria asked if she could hold her and put her to sleep since she appeared sleepy. My initial thought was, "No, Aspen is heavy and your arms will get tired and you won't be able to enjoy the service, etc." Again I found myself struggling with this help issue, except for in this case I was pushing the help away, fearing I might burden someone else.

And then there was my dad the other night at dinner who practically yelled at me to sit down when I started to clear the dishes. Seriously, he had to ask me 5 times to stop clearing the dishes before I finally sat back down.

What is it that keeps us from asking for help? Pride? Is it society telling us that we are weak if we admit that we are needy at times? And how do our seemingly thoughtful responses insult others (me not wanting to burden others, so thoughtful right?)? Maria obviously wanted to help me and should I take that from her? My dad clearly wanted me to just sit and enjoy myself after our dinner was over, and did I disrespect him by not responding when he first told me to sit down? Where is my ability to just say, "Thank You," and move on? I clearly do not have this ability. But here is a start ...

Thank You, Judy, for staying over a few minutes and watching the girls so I could go to church with clean hair.
Thank You, Maria, for swaying Aspen to sleep and holding her during the service so I could fully immerse myself into worship and the group discussion.
Thank You, Dad, for a wonderful dinner.

Here are some pictures of the girls that we took recently. Grandma Judy sent Sage a "thank you" card for going to Pismo with them for 3 days. The letter had hand drawn pictures of their Pismo experiences ... roasting marshmallows, cooking hot dogs, riding in the Caboda, doing the "sand dance." We also took a trip to the Sea Center in Santa Barbara. Sage actually touched a shark and sea star in the petting tanks -- so brave! It took a lot of coaxing for me to even tap (not pet) the sea cucumber ... so slimy! We went to the nearby park for lunch, as you will see Sage sitting on a whale's tale :)

I have kept a journal since my great aunt gave me one for Christmas when I was in the third grade, so I don't know why it took me so long to join the blogging era. Just today Ryan and I joined flickr and then he started doing some amazing things to his blogsite, which got me excited about having my very own blogsite, thus, "My Nursery" was created. I would love to say that I thought of the creative name, but just as Ryan named both Sage & Aspen, he too named my site. And I would also love to take credit for writing the definition of a nursery within the description of this site, but that too was Ryan. Hopefully some of my very own ideas, opinions, passions, trials and joys will show themselves on the faces of these web pages sooner or later.