Dan's Birthday fun

I'm trying to be better about posting on the blog, but I'm still kind of behind. Dan's 25th Birthday was on Saturday. He did have to work, but we managed to have lots of fun before hand. He had his free grand slam at Dennys, got a dozen Krispy Kreme doughnuts, and then we went mini golfing. I haven't been mini golfing in years, I had forgotten how much fun it is. The best part is that we had Nate with us, and he LOVED it. The lady at the golf counter gave Nate his own putter that he carried around and tripped over, and we found an extra ball in one of the water pond thingys. So Nate got to putt around with his own putter and ball. Dan worked with him so much and Nate actually putted a hole, with a considerable amount of help :D
It was so much more fun than the first time we went to golfland together. In the positive addition column, Nate was discovering the joys of mini golf. Another considerable plus was that it was just the three of us, and there was no one hitting us with her golf club. Nate managed to make it all 18 holes without clubbing either of us once. A much better track record than his aunt who managed to hit her date, and Dan with clubs and balls, and then smacked me intentionally just so I didn't feel left out, I guess.
When we got home we found out that Cristi had dropped off a birthday cake for Danny. He was excited b/c his birthday usually gets overlooked what with all the festivities of the Christmas season. I was a little bummed b/c it interfered with my plans to surprise my husband with either a home made layer cake or an ice cream cake (I hadn't completely made up my mind yet) when he got home from work. Needless to say, that didn't end up happening. After all, what's the point of making a cake when a 9x13 cake is dropped off for 2 people? Luckily everyone has been home today, so we've put a small dent in it. But I'm probably still going to end up throwing half of it out. So, if I had made or bought a cake, it would have been that much more waste. Oh well, c'est la vie. After all, I'll have another chance next year for a meaningful gesture for my husband on his birthday. But the important part is that Dan appreciated it.
As I said, Dan did end up having to work. So that sucked, but on the plus side, they let him go early. Yay! All in all, Dan says that he had a good birthday. I got him a board game that he's been wanting. It's called small world, I think. We haven't played it yet, but I'm sure we'll pull it out soon. Dan says it got good reviews and what not, so he's really looking forward to that.
And that's about it for birthday festivities. At least that's it for my "family-friendly" blog ;)

Christmas fun

This year Christmas was so much fun. Nate and Lilly were actually old enough to appreciate the decorations, unwrapping presents and the fun that we had. Last year Nate was only about 10 weeks old, so he slept through the festivities. This year he was intrigues by the Christmas tree, and while he wasn't mesmerized by the lights, he did enjoy all the walks we went on to go see them.
It was so funny to see Lilly and Nate on Christmas morning. Nate got a cool riding toy shaped like a car with working horn, key and driver side door. And he and Lilly both saw it at the same time. And they both thought it was AWESOME. That led to some tears, some possessiveness, and some heartbreak, but it was funny too. Lilly edged Nate out of the way and climbed in. Then Nate tried to climb over the hood to get in. And later when Nate was riding, Lilly threw herself across his lap and tried to push him out. It sounds violent, but it was cute and funny at the time. By then end of the day, they had gotten over it, and the fact that it was declared an outdoor toy (at which point it was removed from the living room) helped a lot. Nate loved that Grandpa Adams took him to the house at the end of Plata to see the lights, and let him ride his new car the whole way.
Dan and I got a "night on the town" from Dad and Jane. So on Monday we're going to Charleston's for dinner and AMC for a movie while Nate stays at "Grandpa's babysitting service" Dan and I haven't had a date night since....hmmm......wow. I know it was before Nate's birthday, I think it was even before I saw Julie & Julia back in September. I have a hard time leaving Nate for any period of time. Actually, for our first date after Nate was born Mom pretty much kicked us out and said she was watching Nate. He was 4 months old. Oh, and speaking of Mom, I remembered, Dan and I had a date night when she was in town. Just before Halloween. We went to Olive Garden and Mom and Sara took Nate to the Lines's ward's trunk or treat. He had a sleepover that night, and I was freaking out. It was the first and last time he's been away overnight.
Anyway, Christmas was fun. Grandpa and Aunt Sharon stopped by and gave us a Christmas card, and Dan's birthday card. That was nice because Dan had to work, so he missed seeing them on Christmas Eve. Ryan came over too and joined us for dinner. Cristi and Matt even dropped in. They came right as I was making a blueberry pie for dessert. That was pretty comical. I was visiting with the Dixons and my pie crust sat too long and became unmanageable. So I ended up improvising a crumb topping that ended up working out pretty well. But it didn't keep in the juices as well as a top crust would have. So the pan that my pie was on in the oven was so dirty and baked on that I had to soak it almost a full 24 hours. And now I get to clean the oven too b/c the juices overflowed and splattered. But it was pretty good. And, bonus, since the Dixons's visit threw me off schedule the pie got put in late, so it wasn't ready for dessert, so I got it all to myself later. Trying to be positive and focus on the whole more pie for me angle vs the no dessert for Christmas dinner angle.
All in all, it went pretty well. As usual for holidays, I was in the kitchen most of the day. But I was super stoked that I had enough nice bowls and serving spoons, so there was no plastic on the table. And I got to use my china! Dad even pulled out some placemats and cloth napkins that I didn't know he had. I loved it. I'm such a dork, but I LOVE pretty presentation. It makes the food taste better. And it brings joy to my soul!
I think that's my new favorite saying. Pretty much everything brings joy to my soul lately. Sweet potatoes, pretty food presentation, sleeping in, nap time, a clean house, spending time with family, etc....
OH, and I almost forgot. Dan decided that he wanted to carry on his dad's tradition of reading How The Grinch Stole Christmas for Nathan. So, on Christmas Eve Nate stayed up way too late, and Dan read it for him before bed. It was so sweet. I really enjoyed it. Nate ran around and tried to steal the book and beat us with it, but I think he liked it too. He's not much of a story reading kid. He just doesn't like anything that makes him sit still for any length of time.

How lucky I am

I just feel so lucky and so blessed right now. I have a sweet baby---wait, scratch that. I have a sweet little man child. As much as I wish it wasn't so, there is no way I can still refer to my wild child as a baby. Except in the sense that he will always be my baby, even when he's 70 and a grandpa. Anyway, semantics aside, Nate is so sweet, and I am lucky to get to be his mommy.
I have a wonderful husband who loves me more than I deserve. How many people get to pretty much grow up with their best friend and soul mate? Dan and I met when we were 14 years old. Now, 10 years later, we're still good friends, and he still makes my stomach flutter. I can't believe that next month it will be 10 years since we met that afternoon in 5th period Spanish.
The end of the month marks the 3 year anniversary of my joining the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. One of the most significant days of my life. Some days I can't believe how lucky I am. Even after all the mistakes I've made, after all the deliberate bad choices I have made in my life, a way has been made for me to return to live with my Father in Heaven and with my family. I remember sitting in the Temple, and thinking "wow, I get all this, and all I have to do is be good?" It seems too unbalanced. I almost feel like I'm taking advantage of Heavenly Father. The blessings that I have received and that I have been promised seem like too much in return for the few, small things I've been asked for in return.
I have so much going for me right now. And seemingly small things make me happy. Like my Primary President sent me an email today. Sunday I got an email from her saying that the Primary had the responsibility for cleaning the ward building and asking for help, and apologizing for the short notice. Today's email said "Thank you! I know I can always count on the Andersons!" That made my day. I love that I am becoming the type of person who others find dependable. I know that hasn't always been the case. I don't know why, but it just gives me the warm fuzzies. I love it!
I LOVE MY LIFE!!!!!

they joys of raising a boy

Sometimes you've got to just take a deep breath and remind yourself that you do, in fact, love your child very very much. Today was one of those days. Nate has been going nuts because he's been cooped up all week. Normally I would take him to the park, or to the library or even a quick trip to the store. But we usually get out of the house every day. This week I've been sick. Today I was happy that I actually got out of bed before 3. Luckily for me, the semester is winding down, so Dan has been home a lot more than usual. So, that was a big help for me. But Dan's idea of fun time with Nate is playing peek-a-boo or getting out toys and playing on the floor. Fun, but not exactly the type of activities that will burn off a 1 year old's excessive energy. Well, Nate took advantage of his inside time and perfected his climbing skills. He can now climb onto and off of the bed. I became aware of that fact when he climbed across my head and sat down on me with his soggy, stinky diaper. Let's just say that's not my favorite way to wake up.
Later in the day I was feeling much better, so Nate and I dropped Dan off to take his calculus final (which he thinks he rocked!!) and we went to Target and Ross. Apparently I was not quite up to a trip of this magnitude. So, I am standing in Ross, looking at blouses when I notice that my dear son is not only standing up in the cart (a regular occurrence for him), but he has also thrown one leg over the side of the cart and is trying to climb out. On the bright side, he was going down "safe" (on his tummy, using his feet to search for a ledge to stand on) like he does on the bed. Needless to say, that particular activity was strongly discouraged. Not that it did any good. He tried again, and again, and again. Nathan is nothing if not persistent.
On a more positive note, Nate's various bumps and bruises are all currently healed. I almost don't recognize him. But then again, it is more difficult to bonk and bruise when you're playing on carpet, a bed and pillows. I love my little wild child. I never know what to expect. He gives me little warning as to what crazy thing he is going to try next :)
Nathan is still nursing once or twice a day, and he's getting much less subtle about letting me know when he's ready. The best part is when we're out in public and all of a sudden he starts attacking my shirt, trying to rip it off so he can nurse. He's getting to an age where it's more creepy than cute when he tries to get into my shirt. I pity his future girlfriends. If he's that fresh with any of them, I foresee more scratches and marks across his handsome little face. But if he acts like that, I wouldn't blame any girl for slapping him :) Heaven knows I slapped his daddy when we were dating. . . though that didn't happen too often, Dan's a good guy. Most of the time. The downside to Nate still nursing is that he is still waking up in the middle of the night, though I've found that if I stuff his tummy right before bed he wakes up later. Usually I would just let him cry it out and put himself back to bed, but he shares a wall with Spencer's room and I don't want my little bro to have to deal with a shrieking baby at 2am when he's got to be up for school the next day.

Jane and Christmas decorating

I met a new person today. Her name is Jane, and she's dating my dad. She is really nice, and pretty, and she likes the Tinkerbell store, and she has a cute purse, and she's a twin, and she's bad at playing pool. But the best thing about her is that I can't remember the last time I saw my dad so happy. Honestly, for that alone, she could be a serial killer and I would like her.

In other news, we decorated the Christmas tree today. Nate and Lilly were so much fun to watch. Lilly went out of her mind when she saw the tree all lit up. And they both got to put a couple of unbreakable ornaments on the tree. It was bittersweet. On the one had, it's nice to share these experiences with Nate. But on the other hand, I miss Devon so much. He would be 5, almost 6 years old now. I hung his racecar ornament from 06. And his snowglobe ornament from 08. And it hurts me that I have nothing for him from 07.

When Jane got to the house, Dad was showing her around, and pointing out the pictures on the wall. It was all smiles and jokes until we got the the Devon pics. No one said a lot about those pictures. I just said, "that's my boy" and got a huge lump in my throat and walked away.

This Christmas I have so much to be grateful for, and I know that I have been blessed in my life in so many different ways. But I also feel like I've been cheated. All these memories are incomplete. Someone is missing.