On being mean...

Christy use to pull my hair when we fought. But I didn't always play barbies the right way.

Jesse once drove the family boat violently enough to make my body go flying from the taco tube and painfully slam into the middle of bear lake. But I was wearing a life jacket, and everyone had a good laugh.

Eric tried to brake my arm. But I first erased his 9th grade English paper- on purpose.

Matt rubbed my back and asked "what are you doing later" just after entering into my engagement with Ryan, making me feel uncomfortable. But he was only trying to include me in the family love.

Atticus bit my wrist while visiting my neighbor next door. But I was putting him in time out.

Ryan broke my nose. But Casey did pull his leg hairs and I did carelessly leave my head directly behind his heal.

My statistics professor failed me on every single exam my junior year. But I did answer poorly.

Sometimes people do mean things to me. It's apart of life. I can forgive them because I can understand their behavior on some level. But lately some people have been very mean to me and I can't understand their behavior. And I want to ask them why they are being so mean.

Like the individual who stole my debit card number and tried to steal $750 in one day.

Like the individual who, the night before doing our final walk through on our new house (just signed Friday!) decided to go into the house and rip up the beautiful wood flooring in the family room. He claimed he was trying to "fix" it. There was a considerable amount of alcohol left on the kitchen counter when we got there.

Like the individual who stole Ryan's debit card number and (so far) has tried to steal approximately $1300.

Who are these people and why are they being so mean!? Sheesh. Needless to say I will be spending some time on the phone with our bank representative. And we will be replacing the wood floor with carpet. The end.

Thoughts on a documentary and the world in general...

Months ago Ryan's sister, Stephanie, told me about this.

It's been on the list ever since, but for some reason a 50 minute documentary is hard to squeeze in. As luck would have it- the kids went to bed early tonight and my hubby went on a man-date with our brother-in-law, Josh. Just me, the couch, and North Korea. I know that doesn't sound like a very exciting evening, but when you're mostly cut off from everything intellectual it's pretty awesome to face the reality of communism. Not just communism- Kim Jong II style. An American (she use to be a reporter for Channel 1 when I was in school but has obviously moved up since then) follows a humanitarian eye doctor on his quest to preform 1000 eye surgeries in 1 week for North Koreans who have been blind for years. It's one of the few humanitarians Kim Jong's allowed in the country and the American reporter is absolutely the ONLY American in the whole country. I'm not sure people actually know she's American since they're talking about getting guns and killing every evil American they see. Anyway, the crew brings a camera to document the eye surgeries supposedly, when really they're trying to capture the reality of life in North Korea. Although we mostly just see footage from the capital city, where only the privileged live, it's hard to watch. Just small snip-its of the country villages, concentration camps, and extreme starvation quickly remind us that even today not everyone enjoys liberty.

While watching this documentary I couldn't help but think about the war in Heaven, why we're here, and what satan has always been trying to take from us. Agency. Our Father presented a wonderful plan of Happiness. Satan stepped forward and, in perhaps the greatest act of pride in all eternity, attempted to alter God's plan. I'll force them to be obedient. And the glory be mine. The North Koreans worship Kim Jong. They praise his name. They credit him with every good thing. This dictator who has stripped them of even their most basic needs of survival, who has all but suffocated their eternal, God-given and God-protected right to liberty - this is their leader- and the glory is his. Then another stepped forward. "Send me and the glory be Thine." I know Christ did step forward at that great council and began His mission to save each of us. I know He was born to Mary in a humble stable, lived a life of purity, and ultimately preformed the wonderful Atonement in Gethsemane. He allowed Himself to be killed. And then was resurrected, bringing hope to each of His brothers and sisters born to the Earth. This documentary makes me ache for the Second Coming of our Lord, when all nations- no matter how physically darkened- shall look up and see their Redeemer.

Tangled

I heart Tangled in a major way. I have a crush on both Rapunzel and Flynn and really, truly, love watching it as much as my kids. (I think.)

Last night Jo and Atticus decided to act out the ENTIRE movie while it played. And they were only wearing their HUNDERWEARS (as Tic so forcefully calls them.)

My favorite was the floating lights scene.

They're singing to each other.

I have no words... just one big grin.

The Hogle Zoo in May

We accompanied Jane and Tate (cousins) to the zoo last month to celebrate their birthdays. It was SO much fun. After all, animals are Jo and Tic's one true love.

The zoo was doing a fun dinosaur exhibit throughout the park this year. Here my family is preparing to challenge sharp tooth.

Atticus loved but was terrified of the dinosaurs. He'd get fairly close, they'd make a noise, and he'd scream and run to me.

Mags was her usual happy self just going along for the ride.

Tate, Jo, Tic, and Jane at the elephants!

Just have to mention how funny Tate was. He was scarred of EVERYTHING except... wait for it... the camels. When we approached those 2 humped mammals he pointed and went running to the fence. Someone made the comment that they have to be the least aggressive animal on the planet. It was pretty funny!

Here our navigators are figuring out the best route...

Thanks to Steph and Paul and Josie and Josh for inviting us!

Seriously posting for a minute!

I got a lot of pressure from my family this weekend to start posting again. So here we go with a few pictures to catch us all up.

This spring Jo was in a little neighborhood "class" once a week where she learned a letter and then played with friends. I taught the class this day and we were on letter "H" - hence the hats. (Tic wasn't usually involved, he's just pictured since it was at our place.)

These classes helped Jo get super excited about letters and I'm astounded at how eager she is to know everything about them. I need to buckle down this next year and work with her daily. Only one more year till the big KINDERGARTEN!

I feel like I should let Jo pick out her clothes every day. I could never put something so cute together for her!

Edward-O. That stash is getting shaved tonight. It was fabulous for the western themed Hoffman family reunion this past weekend. And it will be fabulous getting a clean shaven Ryan back.

In other exciting news our last offer for buying a house was just accepted today and we are THRILLED. The offer was really a long shot. We have about 7 weeks to be moved out of our apartment and the house is a short sale (which take on average something like 6 months to a year). But things fell into place as they always seem to and the sale took 3 days. We're supposed to close the end of July. Hope inspection comes up clean!!!

Jo's 4th Birthday

Jo's birthday was last month and I'm just now posting a few pictures. This little gal is pretty fabulous. She sometimes gets extremely emotional and there's not much I can do, but usually she's an angel child.

I can't believe she's 4! That means she'll be headed to kindergarten in a year and a half. She'll do great. I will not.

I asked Jo several different times what she wanted for her birthday. The first time she said "penguin stuff!" Ever since seeing the movie Happy Feet shes always dancing like penguins. It's extremely cute. Another day I asked and she said "princess stuff!" This was surprising to me because I've found princess toys for her and she never uses them for their true purpose. Instead she applies them to her animals somehow. A necklace is a leash for a dog, a dress is a kitten's blanket, etc. But we had been with her cousin, Elena, the night before. If anyone could teach a girl about the necessity of princess toys it would be Elena. Anyway, next morning Jo woke up and said, "Mom, I know I said I wanted princess stuff. But I don't. I want penguin stuff and paint stuff." I found this really funny. Anyway, so we got her some art supplies and a penguin "pack pack." So darling to watch her jog down the hall with her penguin bouncing on her back:).

Jo was also very particular about what kind of cake she wanted: chocolate cup cakes with chocolate frosting with pink sprinkles. And she wanted a "different pink ceiling." (meaning pink crate paper.)

We just had grandparents over the night of her birthday (and Julie and Robinhood!) to sing to her. It was really fun!

Then we tried to pull of a cousin party a few days later but it didn't really work. Only cousins Sophie and Lincoln were able to make it. But Jo had a good time anyway! Thanks to everyone for remembering her!

I haven't been in the blogging mood for awhile. I just don't know what to tell the world about my life. It can be difficult having an online journal, keeping it personal yet public. But these are some moments with the kids I wanted to remember for me. You might enjoy them too.

We've started trying to teach Maggie to sleep in her crib. She's been sleeping in her car seat for awhile because of her ongoing double ear infections. Last night she cried for a few minutes and then nodded off. When I went to check on her (make sure the blanket wasn't covering her face) I found she'd fallen asleep sitting up! She had her blanket cluched, with both hands, to her cheek and she was fast asleep. Silly girl. Then today when it was time for her nap I laid her down on her back. She fussed for a couple of seconds and then pulled the blanket up over her head and went right to sleep. I watched for a bit and when I thought it was safe I slowly pulled the blanket back off her face. She immediately opened her eyes, gave me quite the glare, and pulled the blanket back up. She's got attitude, that's for sure.

The kids and I thoroughly enjoyed watching Ryan coach basketball this winter and made it to about 5 games. Shortly after the season was over Jo and Atticus found me one day and asked if I'd come to school with them. They both had their pack packs on. So I followed them down the hall to their room and seated myself down in my assigned seat next to Jo on the edge of Atticus's bed. Atticus got a ball and began "playing" basketball. Jo and I cheered him on. Then he handed the ball off to Jo. We each took turns. My favorite was Atticus's enthusiastic cheering, though. "GO SPRINKLES!" Ryan coaches in Springville. :) I'm excited for next year if Ryan coaches again!

A couple of days ago Atticus and Ryan were playing with Lego guys. In the midst of one of their battles I overheard Atticus's guy say, "Hey, I have idea! This is my Pew. Pew, Pew!" (Pew is his word and sound effect for guns). We definitely decided that if we ever have a break in we will follow Tic's example in confronting the perpetrator with our weapon. "Hey! I have an idea! This is my Pew. Pew, Pew!" So awesome. Okay... maybe you needed to hear the extremeness in Tic's voice to appreciate the moment.

I was driving alone with Jo a week ago and decided to have a relationship inventory like they do between companions on missions. "Jo, are you glad I'm your mom?"
"Yeah!" with a sweet nod.
"Are you sure?"
She laughs, "Yes, Mama."
"But I'm not that great."
Another girly laugh, "Yes you are!" with a little more force.
"But how can I be better, Jo?"
She pauses for a few seconds before starting into the list. "Cooking and cleaning our clothes and driving and climbing on things and not going in the street and holding me and getting me things that make me happy when I am sad." Somewhere in there I realized she didn't understand my question and was telling me things I'm good at. She is a sweetheart. Someone told me I need to remember this moment for when she's a teenager and might not come up with the same response.

Jo has become a true artist over the last few weeks. It's amazing to me! Something just clicked in her head and she started drawing pictures of things rather than just scribbling. My two favorite pictures so far have been one of Ryan's mom (which is hanging on our fridge) and one of a giraffe (which is now in Ryan's classroom). The giraffe picture is especially neat because she made a machine called a "bowler" which shrinks the giraffe, places it in a ball, carries the ball across the water to the zoo, and puts it into it's cage. I love seeing her absolutely original creativity at work! My least favorite picture was created a few days ago when Jo was going through a Sophie (her cousin) obsession. She spent a solid 3+ hours drawing picture after picture of Sophie doing all kinds of things. One of them was of me and Sophie. Then she added another person to the picture who was holding my hand.
"So this is me, right?" I asked Jo.
"A huh!"
"And this little girl is Sophie?"
"Yep!"
"So who is this? Is this Daddy?" pointing to the person holding my hand.
"No. That's Tom!" Tom is my sister, Christy's, husband. I think it's super sweet how children don't understand social norms and think anything goes. It really is. But it also makes so many awkward moments for us adults.