The Emily craziness as promised.

Okay, so I say Emily craziness but I mostly mean Emily nonsense. The silly stuff that floats around my head. Now you get to read some of it, hot dang!

You know, I think everyone out there thinks that they are a little nuts. Right? But I think that most of us are nuts in a pretty normal way. I think I'm a normal amount of crazy. The good kind of crazy.

Although, do you know who is weird in a perfectly honest way?

Regina Spektor.

Seriously, could someone be any cooler? She seems weird in a very genuine way, as opposed to like, say...the weird dude from the Black Eyed Peas that has the long crazy hair and he's just weird all the time. Do you know who I mean? He seems to put a lot of effort into being weird. And it's just dumb. Regina seems weird in a lovely, natural way and I can't get enough of it. Check out this song, and if you don't love it then I think that we shouldn't be friends anymore.

Harsh, I know, but you just don't "get" me if you don't see the awesomeness and attractiveness of Regina's weirdness.

And because one good video deserves another, here's a Regina classic. Oh, and by the way, I'm on this Regina kick because she has a new album this week and you need to buy it. It will make you happy. I promise.

Check out these rad boots! I love them. I've never seen anything like this and I just love them.

Then, as if the cool boots weren't cool enough, read about the company and you'll be sold. Let's all get some wacky ACE bandage boots and help some kids get a new pair of kicks, too. Huh? How 'bout it?

I saw this the other day and thought it was crazy. We were talking with the Heaths the other night about how people just don't build "starter homes" anymore. They're all McMansion ginormonsters. I love our mid-century house with it's mid-century flow and mid-century style. Just not the mid-century plumbing. Okay, one point for the McMansions.
This was in my saved pictures and I just liked it. When you come to visit we'll take wacky pictures like this. That'll be fun.
Have you seen this photo series? So interesting.

Snow White, I know the feeling. I have had those days.

True business.

(via Swiss Miss)
I love this a hundred million. I like people who think of something to do in their home, maybe a little bold or off the beaten path, and just go for it. And I like the bike in the hallway.

I don't remember where I found this picture, I'm sure some design site, most likely designsponge, but I better start being better at showing where I get pictures from. I guess sometimes people get pretty cranky about that. I get it, but I don't really get it.

I guess I kind of get it.
Come on, did you think we could go a whole Emily crazy post and not talk about hair? Get real.

In August Erik's sister Dana is getting married (Yeah!) and we're going to Denver for about 10 days. I'm totally looking forward to the wedding and the week afterwards playing with Erik's awesome family.

And shopping for a dress for the wedding.

And getting my hair done by the awesome Natalie.

She's like the Bobby Fisher of hair. I think I know what that means. I mean to say that she has a gift and it is hair. She's amazing. Do you live in Denver? Or within a 500 mile radius? Why aren't you going to Natalie, then? You should. And you could play with her cute baby while you're there.

So, when I get the chance to have Natalie do my hair, I'm going to go big. I'm going to lighten my hair. To me, in my hair weirdness, this is a big deal. I'm thinking something like this shade.
Or this-ish.
Oh, and I'm loving braids lately. I used to braid my hair all the time in funky ways like this, and I think it's long enough to give it a go again.

This is a fun picture I found that just makes me smile. I actually like graffiti most of the time, and this I really like. It's kind of sweet, right? Besides the fact that it looks like it's on someone's fence.

The defacement of private property isn't the part I think is sweet. To clarify.
And lastly, my feelings about macarons. This is important.

They seem to be everywhere lately, you know? Like it's the hip sweet thing to eat. You know how cupcakes kind of blew up a few years ago and seem to be holding on strong? I think that macarons are going to continue to be a trendy thing to eat. Weird how even desserts are hip or not hip, huh?

A few weeks ago we were in LA so that I could go to the temple and afterwards we stopped by Paulette's. I was excited to give them a try, mostly because they are so beautiful. Take a moment to look at the world's prettiest cookie before I give my review.
This kind was Violet Cassis.
Sweet Wedding Almond
Rose
Okay, and now for the review. First of all, the ones with names that are flowers...they mean it. The rose and violet ones taste like you're eating perfume. Kind of gross. The wedding almond one was, however, perfectly wonderful.

The bottom line, though, is that it's a lot prettier of a cookie than it is a yummy cookie. I would rather have a sugar cookie any day. Please make this recipe. Today. You will love it, I promise. I guess if I'm going to have a treat, I'd like it to be yummier for my mouth than it is for my eyes. Even though my eyes think these are spectacularly yummy.

That's all the nonsense for today. Hope you enjoyed it.

trust me.

green bean spit-up is disgusting.

seriously.

To the future moms of many kids:

No one will tell you that you will spend the rest of your life cutting fingernails and toenails.  With our three little guys, it seriously is like a full-time job.  Their darn nails grow so fast, and between them all, that's 60 fingers and toes.

60!

Add that to the list of things that you'll only hear from me, because I'm honest.

Sure, the rest of the stuff is true, too.  Stuff like how you never knew you could be so happy and so tired at the same time.  You know, the sappy stuff.

But the fingernail thing is true, too.  True business.

You heard it here first.

Can I get an amen?  

Moms, what else could we add to the list of things no one tells you before you have kids?

summer of miracles.

Could you use a miracle?  

I'll make you a promise.  If you join me in this challenge that our bishopric gave our ward, you'll see miracles in your life this summer.

Seriously.  

I know it will happen for me, and I know it will happen for you, too.

(It was originally given to the youth in our stake by our stake president at seminary graduation a few weeks ago.  Our bishop thought it was worth giving to our ward as a ward-wide challenge.  I'm so glad he did.  I know in my life that I've seen over and over again that when I show Heavenly Father that I really mean it, when I put in the work to let my faith grow...miracles happen.  It's always good to get a reminder of that, and that now is always a good time to try harder and to love more.)

Here's the challenge: (my thoughts are in blue)

The Summer Formula

1. Daily Private Devotional

  a. Read and ponder the scriptures - The Book of Mormon (There is something about reading The Book of Mormon that connects me to my Heavenly Father more than any other scripture.  We read a chapter a day as a family and I know that we've received mountains of blessings just for that one effort.)

  b. Prayer that connects ("What can I do to be more clean and pure before God?") (I loved this phrase, "prayer that connects".  Sometimes doesn't it feel like your prayers don't even go past the ceiling?  You know what I mean?  I love the reminder that prayer is a conversation, a communion, and, when we put our hearts into it...a connection.  Oh, and one more thing.  Part of my efforts to be "more clean and pure before God" is to clean up my language.  I don't swear, but I do say crap and turd a lot.  I think they're funny, but they are also rude and not very...well, clean and pure.  So, I'm doing it.  I'm going to clean up my language.  If you hear me say either of the aforementioned words, then get me in trouble.  Okay?)

2. Daily Christian Service

  a. Eliminate selfishness (Wow.  That will take a lot of work.  But even small steps toward unselfishness are going to make a big difference, no?)

  b. Contribute to love and peace in the family (We can all do a little better, right?  And imagine if everyone in the family each did a little better.  That's a LOT better!)

3. Keep the Sabbath Day Holy

  a. Prepare, serve, magnify, worship (I am proof.  Miracles happen when you prepare.  We've been working really hard to try and be more reverent during the Sacrament.  Usually that's exactly when the babies are hungry, so that means that during Sacrament Meeting we (and everyone around us) hears a lot of LOUD slurping, burping, spitting up, pooping, farting, fussing, etc. etc. etc.  Not very conducive to worship.  So we've really put a lot of effort into changing our schedule so that the babies will be ready to sleep about the time that Sacrament Meeting starts.  That's tricky, though, because that means they're tired, and it's a risk.  Sometimes tired babies fall asleep.  But, sometimes, tired babies want to scream.  Our miracle is that for two weeks now! the babies fell asleep in their car seats parked in front of us.  Like it was no big deal.  Their eyes were open one minute and closed the next.  And they slept all of Sacrament Meeting.  For me, that's a miracle.  A big one.  I'll tell you what, putting in the work necessary to have a fulfilling worship at your Sunday meetings it worth the effort.  It makes a difference.  I don't know why I forget that sometimes and have to be reminded.  But I guess that's just how it goes.  We just always have to try a little harder and remember things we used to know.)

  b. Duty to God, Personal Progress (These are programs for the youth, but the first thing I thought of was things that I should be spending my Sabbath time on.  My goal?  My journal.  I know I'll want to look back on this time and remember all the little details of my sweet little ones and our wacky life.  One thing I know, is babies don't keep.  Our babies our six months already.  SIX!  I desperately need to write our family's story.  It's a good one and I'm going to want to read it in the future.)

So there it is.  I hope you'll join me.  And let me know how it goes.  I'll post about the miracles I'm seeing in my life, and I'd love to hear the ones that happen in yours.  Believe me, it's gonna happen.  

True business.

Oh, and do you have a Book of Mormon?  If you don't I would love to send you one.  Send me an email with your mailing address and I'll get one out to you right away.  And I'll send a fun little present in there, too.  How about a cute little pincushion or something?

Okay, that's misleading.  I am not sure that I could make a pincushion this cute.  But I'll sure try.

just too good.

You know how I used to post about stuff?  Just for the fun of it stuff?

I'm going to do that again.

I mean, my kids are dang cute, so pictures of them aren't going anywhere.  I couldn't do that to you.

But in between episodes of "my three sons" you'll get sporadic installments of of awesomeness.  There is no charge for the awesomeness.  Or the attractiveness.  (name the movie...)

Today's awesomeness/attractiveness is from one of the coolest blogs ever.  True business.  Goal for 2009: attend one of her killer parties.  Don't know how I'm going to pull it off, but I'll do it.  Here are some ideas she posted the other day.  

Okay.  

Wasn't a little random Emily-ness fun?

(remember how I raved about the labels I used for Reid's party?  That's her company.  So cool, right?  Makes me want to start my own company, too.  Oh, right.  I already am.  What?  I haven't told you about that, yet?  Well, I should.  Because it's going to be awesome.  Keep your blog ears open.)

diaper count

it's 11 o'clock in the morning and the diaper count for today just reached 12.
True business.

thoughts on a Friday morning.

Reid's a pretty cool big brother. I've had to start supplementing with formula, so once or twice a day the babies get a half and half bottle. Reid loves to help feed them, and Dane is usually pretty patient about it. Reid can get distracted easily and the bottle will fall out of his mouth. Alec wouldn't stand for such nonsense. We may have a problem, however, as this morning I caught Reid trying to share his sippy cup of milk with his brothers. Here's a cute shot of the babies. Dane is on the left and Alec on the right. They are at a pretty fun age, both very smiley and cooing after they eat. So much fun.

Wednesday was my first day with Jill's snack tray system and I loved it. I loved having the guess work of "what am I going to eat now?" already figured out for the day (I had a regular dinner that night with Erik and Reid, lasagna actually, and it was really good). I don't really have time in the day for meals that require things like plates, forks, two hands, sitting, etc. It was fantastic to just grab something from the tray as I go about my day. The empty space was filled with cubes of chicken. Oh, did I mention that I've postponed my "eat-meat-VERY-sparingly-itarianism"? I couldn't keep up with feeding the two babies and myself without eating meat, so that's another thing that will just have to wait.

p.s. Yes, those are mint oreos in the bottom left corner. And did you know that a serving size is just two? True business. I would have guessed six.
Also on the list of things that will have to wait: my burning desire to make this Denyse Schmidt quilt. Man, is it cool or what. I could look at it all day.

Lastly, I've stopped drinking milk because the babies are quite gassy and the pediatrician recommended it to help in case they have a have a milk protein intolerance. That's something that will get better as they get a little older and their digestive systems are a little less sensitive. I can still have other dairy products (thank goodness, cheese and I are best friends) but I have seen a difference just in cutting out milk. They do seem much less gassy. And in our house small improvements make a HUGE difference.

All this to say that Silk soymilk is so good. The Very Vanilla kind is a treat to drink and the chocolate kind is so good that it's pretty much a dessert. However, the last time I went to the store they were out of the regular vanilla so I got the light. Big mistake. I'd rather eat my cereal dry. So, head's up.

amen, sister.

We lucked out here by moving into the nicest ward, ever (although that could be said of our last ward, too). There aren't very many young families, and most of the ward has been here forever, but that's good for us because they are SO jazzed to have us in the ward. A new, young family with kids coming at a super-sonic pace. They have been so helpful to us and just can't get enough of our little ones. The bishop's family, in particular, have earned a special place in my heart forever. Bishop is really considerate of my current limitations. My calling as the Young Women's pianist is a good example of that. Something to do, but not very taxing. At all. Also, last week when he needed another priesthood holder to help with the youth baptism trip, he called me first to see if it would be a hardship for me to have Erik gone most of Saturday for the trip. He was basically calling me to ask if it was okay to ask Erik to help. I love that.
His wife, Becky, is a guardian angel. Pretty much. One day she just showed up at the house a few days after we had moved in. When I opened the door, she had a bucket full of cleaning supplies and said, "I have 45 minutes. What can I clean?" I had scrubbed the bathrooms the night before, but didn't get to the floors, so I said, "do you mean it?" She did, and so she scrubbed my bathroom floors. Amazing. She has watched my kids for me, stops by to see how we're all doing, and could possibly be the sweetest woman ever.
She mentioned that she had something funny to share with me, and the other day she brought it over. It's a few word problems that only a mom could understand. Reading the first one gave be a sense of validation that is hard to explain. It's from something called "Mindbenders for Moms" by Gayle Urban.

1. The post office is four miles away; its hours are 8:30 am to 4:40 pm. You have two baby gifts, one birthday gift (already belated) and the car registration to mail. Passengers accompanying you include a) a small infant, b) a toddler, and c) an older child. The infant naps at 10 am, 2 pm, and 4 pm; the toddler naps at 12:30 pm. The older child does not nap but droops considerably from 1:30 to 2:30 in the afternoon. The infant nurses at 8:30 and 11:30 in the morning and at 1:00, 1:30, 3:30, 3:45, and 4:15 in the afternoon. The toddler and the older child eat at 12 noon and will die without a snack at 3 pm. Vehicle loading time is seven-and-a-half seconds per pound.
Question: What time will you go to the post office? (Allow twelve minutes for traffic.)
Bonus points: Prepare conclusive evidence to explain to your spouse why the packages and the mail are still sitting on the shelf in the hallway.

Man, isn't that the truth? That is my life explained far better than I could. I'm pretty darn happy with this life, it's just that I'm not very productive beyond things like feeding, diapering, snuggling, bathing, etc. And for now, that's just fine.

the good, the bad, and the ugly.

The good:
the weather is gorgeous today. After weeks of rain, today is a perfect sunny day. Blue skies, perfect temperature, heaven. A great day to walk down to the library for storytime, right? Reid's going to love it, especially the sing-along time. I'm such a good mom.

The bad:
As I was wrapping up Dane in the babywrap, he spit up...all...over...me. It was crazy. I cleaned us all up and started over. Once he was wrapped and Alec was in his carseat and the carseat was in the stroller, and Reid was in the front seat of the stroller...we were off to the library. Just in time to miss the whole story and catch the very last sing-along song, the Hokey Pokey. As it turned out, we got there just in time for Reid to NOT want to hokey pokey, but rather, just look at all the other kids like they were crazy people.

The ugly:
Speaking of crazy people, I don't think I made a very good impression at the library today. I'm going to have to work up some bravery to go to storytime next week, because about 10 minutes into our library trip the babies went berserk. I've been reluctant to put labels on them*, but they are both quite colicky babies. And Alec is has colic with a capital C. They really put on a show, both screaming and crying and screaming and crying and screaming and crying. And screaming. And some more crying. It was really bad. I have never been more embarrassed in my life. It was that bad. You should have seen the stink-eye that the homeless dude in the periodicals section was giving me. It was crazy to the point that people just froze and stared at me as I was trying to check out my books. All the while Reid is enjoying himself in the children's section, happily sitting at a table looking at books and visiting with the other kids. Then along comes his mom to stick him in the stroller so we can get the heck out of there and he was really bummed out about it. More like kicking and moaning about it. I don't blame him. I felt like moaning, too. There goes any "good mom" award for me today.
Most annoying part? We weren't even out of the parking lot on our walk back to the house when the babies fell asleep again.
True business.

*I don't like it when I hear parents say things like, "he's a cranky baby" or "my first child was such an easy baby, but this one..." It hurts my feelings for the baby, plus I think it's like a self-fulfilled prophecy, like a frequency that the babies tune into. I think it would be pretty hard to be a baby, stuck in a little body with all sorts of discomforts that you can't figure out how to communicate and trying to make sense of this big, new world. They have pretty good colic spells, and colic is a crazy thing. But as colicky as they are, they are still good babies. Wonderful babies. Can't-get-enough-of-them babies.

true business.

If I hadn't have just changed the name of the blog, again, then I maybe this would be a sweet blog name. (But don't worry, "better together" is here to stay. Even if you did like "fun with fünf" better. William.)
We had the missionaries over for dinner last night and when they saw Reid displaying his genius and signing some things to us as he said a word, or his version of a word, one of the elders talked about how he took ASL in school. Mostly to pick up chicks. He mentioned that he mostly remembers the slang now, and that like any other language, things don't always translate exactly. Apparently, in ASL, you don't say "seriously" like when you're telling a story and you want to emphasize it. Like, "man, those babies manage to pee on me every day! Seriously." Apparently you would say, "man those babies manage to pee on me every day! True business."
Isn't that the funniest thing you've ever heard? I love it. True business.
You're going to be hearing a lot of that around here from now on. True business.
I can't stop!
True. Start with your finger at your chin and move it out.
Business. Wave your top hand over your horizontal hand.

Awesome.