weekly picture post

Tina (Anthony's mom) sent us a Finnish Christmas Advent that we've been doing this month. We've enjoyed it and look forward to making it a tradition in years to come. Each Sunday in December has a theme (hope, peace, joy and love) and you light a candle and read scriptures and sing a Christmas hymn that focuses on that topic. This Sunday was the Sunday of peace and we read scriptures about the messages of peace the angles brought foretelling Christ's birth. Here Anthony is accompanying us as we sing "Angels We Have Heard on High."

No, Anthony doesn't have two wives. A few months back he lost his wedding ring. We looked for it all over the place, but couldn't find it. Eventually we decided to buy a new ring. Then a few weeks ago that ring went missing. Again, we looked and looked, and hadn't been able to find it. It had been missing long enough that we were starting to talk about getting him a second replacement ring, but hadn't gotten around to actually doing it yet. Monday evening while we were cleaning up dinner Will walks in to the kitchen with one of the rings he found in the couch and within a few minutes Anthony finds the other ring in a pocket of his jeans.

December 11--I admit. I forgot to take a picture this day. The biggest event of this day would have to be that Will fell asleep on the way home from Costco at 5pm and we could not get him to wake up. While it was nice to have the extra quiet in the evening, he was up, energetic and very hungry at 6:30 the next morning. I did not go to bed early enough to feel good about this wake up time.

 

We are currently in the market for more efficient storage, and my friend Stephanie recommended this bench/storage unit, so we bought one. TJ put it together for me while we watched Friday Night Lights. He even had to go rogue (stray from the instructions) and sand down one side because the pieces didn't match up perfectly.

Thursday was book club and the book we read this month was called 7. The author identified seven areas of excess in her life, and over the course of seven months tried to cut back in each area for one month. While I had a few issues with the book, I was especially moved (for lack of a better word) by her chapter on waste. Reading that chapter brought things I had already been thinking to the front of my mind. I hope I can have the discipline to follow through with the changes I want to make in my life.

On Friday our friends the Zysks were in town so we spent the morning with them at Crown Center. We did everything--Union Station Holiday Express, Santa, Kaliedescope, Hallmark Visitor's Center, and lunch at the Crayola Cafe. We had a great time, but were so tired some of the kids barely made it to the car when we were done.

Saturday morning we took the kids to the aquarium for an early birthday treat. Of all the many things we saw, the scuba Santa and elf were what stuck out to Will the most. Makes me feel really good about forking over a lot of money for Will to see a variety of sea life when all he talks about is the Santa that blows bubbles and wears a mask.

weekly picture post

While the weather was still relatively warm we were trying to take nightly walks with the kids. We each push a kid--usually Will in the umbrella stroller and Lauren in the bigger stroller. Sometimes we have to spice up the walks for the kids, so we race (the stroller Tony's pushing always wins). Lately it has taken less effort from the parentals to keep the walks exciting because our neighbors are putting up Christmas lights. This house is one of our faves.

On Monday night we got to join with the rest of the John family as Uncle Matt opened his mission call. He is headed to Boise, Idaho, in January and we couldn't be more excited for him!

Tuesday night was our annual relief society progressive dinner. Because I am on the activities committee I got to make lots of desserts. This is what our counter looked like about fifteen minutes before I had to leave. Good thing I make wise decisions like taking a picture of my precious baked goods instead of feeding my dear children. For the record, I did prepare a meal for them, but  the babysitter (my mom) had to feed them.

Wednesday we spent some time at Crown Center. We played at the Crayola Christmas Land, glanced at Santa from afar, checked out the gingerbread houses and trains, climbed in and out of the huge wooden toys by the mayor's Christmas tree, ate at Fritz's, and saw a crazy donkey.

Reading books before bed. Will and TJ are reading a book my grandpa gave Will about F-84 Thunderjets. Lauren is reading a Caillou.

Continuing with the book loving, this is Will's favorite page from our Jingle Bell book. It is one of our many Christmas books that we keep in a special chest and only get out this time of year. Will loves that the one horse pulling the open sleigh runs right into a snowman. Loves it. We have to stop singing the song and acknowledge the horse/snowman every time we read it.

Our ward held a Christmas brunch on Saturday and you better believe the Johns made an appearance. Will had pancakes with lots of syrup. He learned the hard way that dry napkins aren't the best tool to use to clean your hands when you are dealing with something as sticky as syrup.

crazy donkey

Last week we met some friends at Crown Center for lunch and to visit Santa. The Coterie Theatre is situated between our two destinations, and as we walked from one to the other we happened upon what Will called a "crazy donkey."

 
For some reason the actor who plays Donkey was out of the theater in full costume. I've never seen the play, but my guess is at some point in the show he exits out a side door. The reason he was in the hall is of no real importance, but the fact that he was in the hall at the same time we were is important. Very important. Because for the past 8 days Will has brought up the "Crazy Donkey" many times. Multiple times a day. We've had conversations about what donkey's eat, where donkey's live, why that man was dressed up like a donkey, if I remember the man that was dressed up like a crazy donkey, are crazy donkeys scary, etc. over and over.

For the record:

• donkeys graze on grass, straw, leaves and brambles
• are native to Africa, but the 41 million worldwide are mostly found in underdeveloped nations--China has the most (as of 2006) with 11 million
• he was pretending to be a donkey for a play
• I have not forgotten about the crazy donkey (Will's incessant questioning makes it impossible to forget)

AND most importantly

• "Crazy Donkey's" are not scary, but they are very silly

just a little trim

About a month ago Will's hair started to get out of hand. I typically cut his hair, and feel like I do an adequate job for the most part, but my skills and experience are fairly limited. As his hair grew out  my mistakes became harder to hide. Just as I was about to reach my breaking point with Will's mop, we fortuitously received a coupon to Great Clips in the mail. A haircut including tax and tip for under $10? Yes, please.

We talked with Will quite a bit over the course of a few days about how he was going to get a "big kid" haircut and how very brave he was to get one. He seemed pleased about the idea until we got him in the chair. His bravado vanished and I held his hands while the stylist went to work.

 I asked him to smile for the camera, and this is the best I got.

 Excited about the dum-dum, or just glad it's over?

Fresh trim the next day. I feel like he looks a lot like his dad in this picture.

Will has never enjoyed getting his hair cut, but I was proud of him for enduring the torture.

weekly picture post

Both of our kids love books, but have conflicting reading styles. Will loves reading books slowly, where he can show off that he knows everything on the page, while Lauren likes to turn pages and pull flaps quickly. Thank goodness Memaw has a lot more patience for both styles of book-reading than I do.

We took a little trip to the pet store and I was pleasantly surprised by how much I enjoyed it. Will had been asking to visit the pet store for awhile, but for one reason or another I just hadn't gotten around to taking the kids. We saw the usual pet store staples--cats, birds, rodents, reptiles and fish--and I was reminded that I don't really like the smell of pet stores. The only downside of the trip is that Will has taken to asking me for a pet a few times a week now.

This photo is brought to you by Will. He took this picture of me attempting to play some Christmas hymns, even though he kept asking me to stop playing. Apparently he likes it when TJ plays better. Lauren was whining through most of my playing, so I have the think she also didn't approve of my skills. Thing is, it's tough to find a time to practice because when the kids are awake they never leave me alone long enough to practice, and the piano is too loud to practice after they  have gone to bed. My life is hard.

This is the mess that was our dining room table for the past few weeks. The clutter of it all was driving me crazy, but I was feeling so busy--and the projects did keep piling up--that it took feeding the missionaries to get it cleaned off.

Lauren loves to eat and she appreciates the good food I make her. This is in stark contrast to Will, who prefers nutella and applesauce to anything I make, so I chose to take a picture of her enjoying the quinoa pasta and spaghetti sauce I made special for her.

Thank goodness Lauren's got that identifiable hemangioma so you can correctly identify her as she flees the scene of the crime. In the background you see the partially emptied drawer of towels she left behind her for the second or third time that day. If you come to our house during the dinner-cooking hour, there is a good chance you will see towels strewn about the kitchen floor.

Will was fascinated by the 12 drummers drumming we saw in a storefront window when we went to the Journey to Bethlehem at the Second Presbyterian Church.

weekly picture post

At this point, our winter gear is a little haphazard. Thankfully Lauren isn't too particular, as long as it keeps her warm.

Monday was a crazy day trying to get ready for our Thanksgiving trip. After a long day of getting ready we took the kids for a long walk after dinner. I wanted to take a picture on the walk, but it was too dark, so I had to settle for taking a picture once we got back. I especially like Will's fake smile and how Lauren's hat hair really showcases her mullet.

Tuesday night we got to Hurricane after dinner and were able to squeeze in a quick visit with my grandparents. Will got to look at some books with Grandaddio and Lauren got to yell at my grandparents stuffed animals.

Will loved the attention he received from his aunts and uncles. Uncle Andrew taught him how to play swords with some of the pillows at the hotel. It is safe to say he loved the game because now he wants to play all the time.

We ate a delicious Thanksgiving feast at the lodge in Zion's. As we walked from our car to the lodge we saw 2 deer wandering around the parking lot. Will was fascinated.

As we drove around around southern Utah Will kept saying the mountains looked like crocodiles. He would randomly shout out "Look at the crocodile!" or "It's going to get us!"

We were all so tired by the time we got home. Both kids were good--but restless--on the flight, and finally fell asleep about 20 minutes before landing. Will was so tired we carried him off the plane, put him in a stroller, transferred him to his carseat and then into bed once we got home, all without waking him up.

double dose of the weekly picture post

Trying to get caught up around here.

One Sunday a month Anthony and I both have meetings before church. My mom very graciously came over to our house Sunday morning to watch the kids. She brought along this stuffed turkey, which Will requested be put on the mantle.

Baby hair is tricky. When Will was Lauren's age, we got out the clippers and evened things out. Girls don't have the same luxury. I am now attempting to pin some of Lauren's hair to the side, using clips her Aunt Carly sent this past summer.  I think she looks pretty cute, but I have to distract her or else she pulls it out.

Tuesday afternoon we walked to the neighborhood elementary school, our designated polling place, and voted. Will was very sad that he didn't get to vote. He kept trying to hit buttons while I was voting. It kind of stressed me out, but luckily there was a summary screen and all my votes went where I intended them to go.

Wednesday morning we were kind of slow going. Anthony and I stayed up too late watching election returns, but the kids were up bright and early, as usual. They love to play in this little nook between our glider and toy shelf. Here Will is making some sort of "soup" and Lojo is busy dissembling all the toys she can get her hands on.

On Thursday evening I went to the temple with a friend from the ward. Our Relief Society sets aside one day and evening session a month for sisters to try to attend the temple together. I have gone a few times and have really enjoyed getting to know some of the women in my ward better. I took this picture of the waterfall outside the temple entrance (now is the time to be jealous of my awesome camera skillz) because I was struck by its beauty, though my camera failed to capture the peace I felt when looking at it.

This is Will being a "turtle." At first I thought it was cute and clever. Those feelings have passed, and now I feel annoyance. Will-the-turtle gets mad if anyone touches his shell. Especially Lauren. Which means there are lots of fights because Lauren is going through a phase where everything Will likes must be interesting.

As I was living it, Saturday seemed like such a long day. Looking back it really wasn't that bad. Regardless, at the end of the day I treated myself to a little retail therapy at the Legends (courtesy of a coupon and gift cards).

Sitting in Relief Society I realized my head hurt. Pretty bad. By the time we made it home it had reached migraine status. There seemed to be a perfect storm of triggers in my life last weekend, so it wasn't too surprising. After Anthony treated me to a long Sunday afternoon nap, the kids and I snuggled on the couch for a bit.

We are still figuring out the food allergy thing over here. I recently was planning on making some spaghetti, only to find out that the sauce I intended to use contained cheese. Luckily I noticed before I served it to Lauren, so I ended up making the sauce from scratch. I'm learning that food allergies = lots of cooking from scratch. Some days I feel more up to the challenge than others and some of my creations taste better than others, but it is starting to come more naturally.

These kids are starting to have genuine fun together. There are few things that make me feel pure happiness more than the two of them enjoying each other.

We were all getting a bit stir crazy, so we took a walk after dinner. Both of the kids were pretty cheerful when we left the house, but I snapped this picture about 2 blocks from our house on the way home. I'm not really sure what happened, but both kids got super cranky half a mile from the house, so we hightailed it home.

Will has a funny sense of humor. I once told him to ask Anthony if he liked the Yankees. I'm not even sure how he responded, but Will caught on, and now he constantly tells us that the Yankees are his favorite team. This is the smile on his face as he told me the Yankees were the best team and the Royals were gross. I know many people would agree with this sentiment, but not in this house. :)

Will really likes to rough house. 

A while back I saw that JCCC was putting on a production of The Mystery of Edwin Drood, and took note. It's been on my list of "plays I want to see" for awhile being that Anthony participated in the play when his senior class preformed it on at Belmont High School in 1999. The guy with the turban on his head is the character TJ played (regrettably, he did not get to wear a turban in his production).

belated weekly picture post

Will loves it when Memaw reads books with him. It is pretty hard to have a conversation with my mom when we go to her house because Will does all he can to monopolize her attention.

We barely got in our annual pumpkin patch trip in this year...with 2 days to spare. The weather was quite nice and the kids were really well behaved. Even though she is a year old, it was Lauren's first trip. 

I love it when I have an excuse to make treats. I needed to make a treat for a Halloween party, so I made some caramel popcorn. I absolutely love caramel popcorn, but TJ won't eat it because he is afraid of getting it stuck in his teeth. It is just too tempting for me to keep around because I don't need to eat an entire batch myself. Suffice to say, I was pleased to have a reason to make this popcorn.

The kids were just so cooperative when I wanted to take a few "Halloween" themed pictures before we went trick-or-treating. They actually were pretty good that day and humored me for many pictures. Just not this one.

Will and I spent Lauren's nap outside on Wednesday and Thursday. I raked, and Will did a variety of things. One of the things he did was draw with sidewalk chalk. He drew a rocket and and airplane. I was pretty impressed with his artwork. I've never seen him use the chalk with such accuracy.

On Friday I met my friend Stephanie at the mall for lunch. We got there a few minutes early and checked out the American Girl. Imagine my delight when I found out one of the newest American Girls is a blonde-haired, blue-eyed girl named Caroline. This would have been a dream come true for me about 15-20 years ago. Would TJ suspect anything if Santa brings Lauren a Caroline doll for Christmas?

We joined some friends for a hayride on Saturday afternoon. We sat on the end of the trailer closest to the tractor and it was a bit loud. Will spend part of the ride with his fingers in his ears. Silly boy.

Because I Have Been Given Much I Too Must Give

Yesterday scored an unexagerrated 10 out of 10 on the "surprisingly frustrating" scale. Within our ward (Mormon word for congregation) we had a person who needed help moving her belongings from two storage units to a home 25 minutes away. I will call her a friend, but I guess that is stretching the truth, as I had never met her before yesterday. She needed our help, and my job within our ward to is organize help for those who need it.

I arranged for a group of volunteers to meet her at 8:30 AM at her UHaul storage units. We were also planning on renting the biggest truck they had to make sure it all fit. When I arrived my new friend was haggling with the manager. She had not paid the bill for her units for the past few months. Right away I had my guard up, thinking: "Oh boy here we go. I have taken these volunteers away from their family, and this move is not going to go as planned." Depressingly, my inner cynic was exactly right. Not so depressingly, another wonderful friend arrived with dozens of donuts and cold water for the anxiously waiting workers.

Around 9:15 the UHaul manager was dangerously generous and let us into her storage units. They pulled the truck over to the loading dock. When I saw it, I knew it was not the biggest truck they had, which in turn would eventually present a problem. Our group pressed on.

Our friend continued to try and find someone to pay her bill so that she could leave, but with no success. My inner cynic was preparing for the worst, wondering when she would ask me and the church to pay her bill. For those of you who have served in service organizations that have limited funds, you understand how much I was not looking forward to that conversation. All I wanted to do was come and work hard, lift heavy boxes, and drive the truck. I was ready to work hard, but not to have hard conversations.

Within 90 minutes, our crew had emptied both storage units (which had some biological hazards left by the year-round tenants). We filled the first truck to capacity, and yet there was another truck's worth of belongings ready to be loaded. My inner cynic was getting pretty chapped now. I went into the office and rented another truck on my credit card, fully knowing that the church would re-imburse me. But I was nervous to give UHaul a good credit card number when my friend was still unable to pay for the first truck and the last few months of storage unit usage plus late fees. My inner cynic screamed: "Now you have done it. You are going to get hosed now. UHaul is going to make you pay the approximately $1000 our friend owes. No Christmas. My children will hate me. Carrie will wait for awhile, but feeling her childrens' grief, like any good mother, will murder me on my birhday." My inner cynic was getting creative.

Within a half hour we got the rest of the materials into the second truck. As it approached noon, some volunteers had to leave. Six of us stayed, and I took everyone to McDonalds for lunch while we waited for the payment situation to iron out. We got to McDonalds, and I oozed bitterness. The leftover stalwarts were cheerful enough that my boiling, inner cynicism wasn't bringing them down. I called the Bishop of our congregation to see if he had any ideas of what to do. Having spent his morning with the youth of our congregation, he was tired as well, but he came to UHaul to meet with our friend. He told her if she did not have this resolved within a half hour he was going to send me and the volunteers home. My inner cynic wanted this to end, and not well for my new friend. My cynic wanted her to not be able to pay for things, and for me and the crew to leave her. My cynic chided her: "Maybe that would teach her to be more organized and not selfishly take so much of my time."

Of course that did not happen. Her brother came through and gave her his credit card number. We drove the trucks and our crew to the belongings' resting place. Before we left UHaul I felt like this move would never end, and I called my Christ-like father in law to send out an S.O.S. message to get more volunteers there. When he was the only one to show up, and it was incredibly generous that he took that time to help us, my inner cynic's circle of attacks grew to include people in our congregation who seemed reluctant to help: "Just like them. Why won't they come help? I will be stuck here all day."

But the work from there exploded into high gear. We started unloading the truck at an unnatural pace and the boxes and furniture were fitting too easily into the small basement we were loading the boxes and furniture into. Boxes felt lighter than they should. People were laughing. Others started to call me and offer help, and I told them to stay home as we were going to be done relatively soon.

As we pulled away in the trucks to return back to UHaul to meet there to carpool home, I started to be angry with my inner cynic. He had caused me unneeded stress. I heard the hymn "Because I Have Been Given Much" in my head:

"Because I have been given much I too must give
Because of thy great bounty Lord each day I live
I shall divide my gifts from thee
With every brother that I see
Who has the need of help from me"

"Because I have been sheltered, fed by thy great care
I cannot see another's lack and I not share
My glowing fire, my loaf of bread
My roof's safe shelter overhead
That he too may be comforted"

"Because I have been blessed by thy great love deal Lord
I'll share thy love again acording to thy word
I shall give love to those in need
I'll show that love by word and deed
Thus shall my thanks be thanks indeed."

Thinking of the what I have been given in my life, and how I have not earned really any of it, made it clear that my inner cynic was horridly wrong. As I pondered how much I owe the Savior, I realized that my day, no matter how long I waited and how much longer the work took, would never repay the Savior for all the blessings and peace I have in my life. My heart burst with gratitiude. I thought of the Savior. I thought of my friends who were willing to sacrifice their time. I thought of my wonderful wife, who came down with a migraine today in part because she has been left alone with our toddling tyrants during a busy week. I felt my heart soften, and I was no longer angry with my new friend (easy to say when the job is done). I felt grateful for all I have been blessed with and grateful for being in a position to help others.

As pride washed away I saw her as my sister, a potential new friend, who really needed help. I realized that this day was much more stressful for her. I was ashamed at how my selfish thoughts had clouded my judgment and prevented me from truly supporting her.

This Thanksgiving month, I will try to see people as they really are. I wish to have a truly grateful heart and to serve others more completely. May we all show our gratitutude to the Savior by giving to others as He would, with all of our hearts. Fire your inner cynics. They stink.