stop this train

It's hard for me to wrap my mind around the fact that nearly three weeks have passed since Charlotte's wedding day. We planned, shopped, cooked, and sewed--anticipating the event for so long (well, six months)--and suddenly it's over.

I loved every minute of Wedding Week. There is very little, if anything, I would change or do differently. Thanks in large measure to the generosity and kindness of so many good friends and dear family members, my daughter's wedding was everything I had dreamed it would be. And Charlotte herself was the most easy-going, easy-to-please bride you could ever hope to meet. The entire experience was everything a wedding should be, and for that I am grateful.

I felt initially overwhelmed at the thought of blogging about it all. But now that both Charlotte and Michelle have done such fantastic jobs of summarizing the event, I'll just link to their blogs and you'll get a great overall feel for the occasion. I'll use my blog to try to record my feelings as a first-time MoB.

First off, I simply must state the obvious and somewhat trite sentiment (though so, so real): it just doesn't seem that long ago that Charlotte was the little girl in this picture, dressed to match her younger sister Emily.

Wood family, circa 1995 (Photos by Karen Rubin)

Thankfully, we did change somewhat after this first official Wood family portrait taken in the early '90's. Denim shirt buttoned all the way to the top--fuchsia striped jumpsuit buttoned all the way up? What was I thinking?!

Wood family, circa 1992 (photo by Karen Rubin)

Somehow, you think that--once you have all your kids--it's like, Ta-dum! This is my family--this is how it will always be. Wood family, circa 1998 (Photo by Barbie Jarvis)

And for a while, it is. School milestones, birthdays, holidays and the like come and go in a rather comfortable, cyclical sort of way.

Wood family, circa 2000 (Photo by Paula Woellhaf)

Yes, hairstyles and clothing trends change along the way, but this is our family: four kids--three girls and a boy. My family will always be this way.

Wood family, circa 2004 (Photo by Paula Woellhaf)

And then, before you're even aware of what is happening, the milestones start getting bigger--graduation from high school, acceptance into college, graduation from college. And before you know it, your little girl in the plaid taffeta jumper is wearing high heels and falling in love.

And here's the thing: I wouldn't want it any other way. She has done everything in the right order--she has a fantastically bright future ahead with limitless possibilities. It's what I really want for her, and yet--just for a moment--I wish I could "Stop This Train, I want to get off and go home again."

Wood family, redefined, October 22, 2010 (photo by Michelle Olivier)

I guess it really is all about defining a new "normal." And, as John Mayer so aptly states, "Don't stop this train, don't for a minute change the place you're in." I wouldn't change a thing.

the countdown continues

Bake and freeze cakes for Thursday night's family dinner:

Check.

Plan healthy family meals during wedding week:

Check.

Go with Charlotte to jeweler's to have our rings cleaned:

Check.
Enjoy every minute of having Charlotte at home:

Check.

look what I found at the airport yesterday!

Actually, it took me a while to find them, as I neglected to call Michelle's house the night before their arrival to make a Where-to-Meet Plan, and Jessie didn't have a cell phone with her. I had the best of intentions to park the car and meet them just outside the security area on Level 5 of DIA so I could help Jessie with the kids, stroller, and bags. I was about five minutes later arriving than I should have been for this plan to effectively work. Regrettably, it was almost an hour after Jessie's plane had landed that I finally found them patiently waiting at the curbside on Level 4.

We were so excited when Jessie decided to come to Denver for a sub-vacation (vacation-within-a-vacation), bringing her two darling girls with her! I confess I feel a little selfish, taking sister time away from Michelle, but I can't help but be happy that they're here. Sarah is in heaven with two little girls to entertain and dote on.

We tried to get Fiona to smile for this SP but were unsuccessful in our attempts.

Grandma bought both Bella and Sarah a cute coloring kit while we were at Joann Fabrics today. I am amazed at Bella's ability to color so neatly and precisely!

Fiona is warming up to me and lets me kiss her with abandon.

I ask, what could be better than that?

Extreme Home Makeover: Powder Room Edition

My sister Susan and I have birthdays one day (and fourteen years) apart. This year she and her husband Fred came for a visit so we could celebrate together. Several weeks ago she told me that for my birthday she wanted to give me a "powder room makeover." Sweet! I was excited as she told me of various color ideas and fabric remnants she had for the window, etc.

Now, unless you've actually been in my powder room, and unless you know you know the extent of my designer sister's talent and vision, you might not realize just how exciting a prospect this was for me. And let me tell you, you've got to have some imagination when you're starting with this:

Note the marbled Formica countertop with flesh-colored tile backsplash. (The monogrammed guest towels--a prior gift from Susan's store--are currently the only thing cute in the bathroom).

Don't overlook the beautiful original 1959 retro light fixture and circa 1980 mauve and blue floral wall paper:

You've got to love the mauve accents on the cupboard doors:

But my most favorite part is the original linoleum flooring--yes, I have cleaned it many times with many different products. The end result is always this lovely, inviting shade of dingy tan:

Now, when Susan said "makeover," I had in mind paint, maybe a new light fixture, and a cute window treatment. I was excited by the prospect. My sister, however, had much bigger plans.

Midway through Day 1, this is what the room looked like:

And this is what Susan and I found on the driveway after a trip to Home Depot (her third for the day):

Jump ahead to the end of Day 2, after working all day today while being snowed in (in case you haven't heard, Denver was hit by a blizzard):

I can hardly wait to see what tomorrow will bring--I'll keep you posted! If birthdays are this good then I don't mind getting older.

early birthday surprise!

Last Thursday night around 7:00 p.m. I received a text message from Charlotte which said "Guess where we are? Happy early birthday!!!" Attached to the message was a photo of an airport terminal sign which had a flight number, a departure time, and the destination: DENVER! Earlier that day both she and Emily had both told me they were shipping my birthday package that day. I had no idea my gift would be the two of them!

They arrived home around 11:30 p.m. Thursday night and had (thankfully) arranged for a good friend to pick them up at the airport. Apparently one of the girls' friends, upon hearing of the surprise birthday plan, had asked, "But what if your family decides to go out of town that weekend?" Obviously, they don't realize what boring homebody parents Charlotte and Emily have.

I was sad that I had to work on Friday, but delighted to come home to find that Emily had mopped the kitchen floor for me! Now that's what I call a birthday gift. She neglected to document the mopping while doing it, but she willingly obliged me this photo on Saturday, even changing back into her favorite cleaning shirt and posing with the Murphy's Oil soap.

It was so fun to have company in the kitchen again. I love working together--chopping, sauteing, dish-washing, singing, occasionally kitchen dancing--everyday things are just so much more enjoyable with Charlotte and Emily around.

On Saturday afternoon we ran errands, which included a stop at Michael's (I was inspired by Michelle's recent post to revamp the floral in my front door Spring basket).

We unabashedly snapped photos throughout the aisles of Michael's, laughing at these lovely Big Bling rings for a mere $2.98.

We laughed when Charlotte got trapped in the back seat of my car. She was sitting on the side with the kidnapper door and couldn't get out until Emily obligingly opened the door for her. The door used to open like a charm after only three tries, but Charlotte lost count at ninety (yes, 90) and gave up. Even the dumb things in life are easy to laugh about with these two around.

Of course, we made time for stop at 7-11 for a fountain drink. I like mine with a shot of cherry flavoring. Here's Emily pondering what flavor to add to her Diet Pepsi.

And here's our Big Gulp SP in the car:

After dinner Saturday night the kids had fun jumping on the trampoline in the dark (this is Sarah's favorite pastime).

We had Stake Conference today and came home to hurry and make their favorite dinner (roast beef, mashed potatoes and gravy, etc.) before having to leave for the airport this afternoon. We forgot to take any family pictures in our Sunday clothes, but managed to take this group SP while making dinner (Mark was late getting home, which is probably not such a bad thing, since I'm not sure how we'd all fit in!).

I'm really working this birthday angle; when my mom asked what she should make for today's dessert, I quickly replied, "Chocolate pie," which everyone loves--especially me. Now I can have my two favorite desserts in one week--chocolate pie today and German Chocolate cake on my birthday--both sure to make my pants fit better.

Mark and I rode together to take the girls to the airport. I'm usually a crier when it comes to airport departures, but this time it wasn't quite as sad, since they'll be coming home for the summer in another month. Mark didn't even cringe when I requested this SP at the airport curbside, though his SP skills need a little honing.

So now I'm tired, just a tad blue, but mostly happy and grateful for such a fun weekend with "The Girls." Thanks, girls, for such a fabulous birthday gift--I love you both so much.

time in a bottle: Christmas Eve

It's hard to believe that one week ago it was Christmas Eve. What is it about time that makes it seem to go both super fast and surrealistically slow at the same time? How is this possible? In some ways it seems like Christmas Eve--the baking, entertaining, anticipating--was forever ago, but at the same time I feel the days slipping away far too quickly with Real Life nipping dangerously at my heels.

Before the moment is too far gone, however, I want to recap our Christmas celebrations in the hope that by capturing a few moments of "time in a bottle" I can convince myself that it wasn't just a dream.

We had our traditional Christmas Eve buffet of smoked turkey and salmon, beef tenderloin, crabbed-stuffed twice-baked potatoes, three different salads, homemade rolls, and cooked carrots (the mother in me always hopes that, since my kids won't eat the spinach salad, they'll meet their vegetable quota another way).

We seated eleven for dinner; our friend Melissa and the missionaries came. Later, our friends the Namiaches stopped by with their two children (one of whom is Sarah's good friend) for dessert. They arrived just in time for our annual Christmas Eve program of music and stories, which Sarah organized this year.

I love watching the kids perform together. Though you can't see it in this photo, Emily was accompanying Charlotte and Sarah.

My mom and I have sung Pinecones and Hollyberries/It's Beginning to Look a Lot Like Christmas together every Christmas Eve for as long as I can remember. We didn't have accompaniment this year, so it was a little rocky, but I will always treasure this memory.

Sarah invited her friend Danielle to read How the Grinch Stole Christmas with her. They read with such expression!

We had invited the missionaries to contribute to our program. Elder Welch brought his guitar and he and Elder Hixon sang a couple of Christmas carols. They did a nice job!

No matter how old the kids get, they still look forward to opening their *surprise!* pajamas on Christmas Eve. Here they are modeling their new sleep/lounge wear.

When the kids were ready for bed and the cookies and milk had been left out for Santa, they gathered in the girls' room for a game of electronic Life. The kids' tradition of playing a Christmas Eve game together in one of their bedrooms started a few years ago, and as one of Santa's helpers, I am a fan.

By midnight or so, not a creature was stirring and we slept undisturbed until 7:45 a.m. Christmas morning, when Sarah and John came downstairs to wake us.

What happened to the first half of October?

So what's up with it already being October 18th?

Here are a few October highlights I don't want to miss documenting:

• My mother's 82nd birthday on October 5th. For a beautiful tribute to her, see this post on Michelle's blog. Her birthday fell on Conference weekend so we got to spend a good deal of it together doing one of our favorite things! We also went shopping together on Friday and Mom bought a darling pair of black boots and a cute outfit at Ann Taylor Loft. What 82-year-old do you know who has a cuter wardrobe than you do? For Sunday's birthday dinner I made a good Rachel Ray pasta recipe with talapia (a good substitute for halibut, which I can't afford), and mom made this delicious caramel bundt cake. It has a burnt sugar syrup (made with cream) in the cake itself, which is also drizzled as a glaze onto the warm cake, and also folded into the whipped cream you serve in a dollop on top of each slice. I ask, what 82-year-old wears cute black boots and makes her own homemade birthday cake!

We honestly didn't plan on matching that day, it just happened.

• John had his first high school choir concert on October 9th and wore a tuxedo for the first time. He's a handsome one, that John--all 6' 2" of him! We love his choir and piano teachers, pictured with us. John sings Bass II and seems to really enjoy choir. I think he's finding that boys in choir make a lot of friends who are girls, which is not necessarily a bad thing.

• On the evening of the 10th, while I painted in her room, Sarah went with her friend Hailey to the school Sock Hop. It was sort of a last-minute decision to go and luckily I just happened to have a cute poodle skirt hanging in John's closet. She loves this one because the poodle on it looks like my dad's dog, Tyrone.

• That same weekend, my mom made two chocolate pies for Mark to take to work for his co-workers. Thankfully he brought some home, as this is my most favorite food in the entire world, for real. Can you blame me?

• On the 15th Sarah had track and field day at school. John happened to have early release that day, so he came with me to meet Sarah for lunch. It's a good thing he came, since I had to park far away and haul not only lunch but chairs. Sarah is the closest thing to an athlete we have in our family!

• And finally, Mark pulled up Sarah's carpet last night, only to find that the floor looks like leopard print. Yes, leopard print. The carpet pad was one of those composite foam-o'-many colors kind, and it had black, yes BLACK specs in it that stuck in tar-like spots all over the hardwood. As I write this, Mark is on his hands and knees scraping and washing the floor. Thankfully, it's coming up, but has put a bit of a crimp in our project.

Whew! Here's hoping the last half of October lasts a little longer than the first half did.