Sidenote...

As a sidenote to this entry on Alex's latest bathroom achievements...

No one ever told me that I'd have a totally different reaction to this whole process than I expected. The constant fear of wet floors/carpets? Expected. The never-ending laundry? Expected. The blowout of holding "it" for four days? Expected. The wish to go back to diapers because it was just easier? Expected.

But what about the other stuff? My little boy, looking so grown up and skinny in his tighty whiteys? Not expected. The frequent comment, "Mom, go out. I need some privacy." Not expected. The comment, "Mom, this is so much easier than diapers. Why didn't we do it a long time ago?" Not expected. Already learning to "aim" and wipe the rim because Mom is a bit of a freak when it comes to that kind of mess? Not expected. Chatting with his buddies about having Bumblebee or Anakin on his underwear? Not expected. No longer having a basic daily need being totally dependent on Mommy? Not expected. Feeling sad about the previous, and sentimental about my baby growing up? Not expected.

And thus it is. "... babies grow up, we learn to our sorrow." But one little ray of sunshine? The diaper bill automatically cut in third? Expected, and lovin' it.

Happy Birthday to my Mom!

Happy Birthday to the best mom, ever! Seriously. They don't come finer than my mother. She is truly a gem. And while this extreme momma's girl is missing her mother something fierce, I'm so grateful for her sacrifice and service. I love you so so much, Mom. Thanks for the excuse to party, even if you couldn't be there. Miss you, and can't wait to celebrate with you next year!

Dare I say it in writing...?

I'm not sure if I'm jinxing myself by putting this is writing... hmmm... do I dare say? Alex is FINALLY on the road to being potty trained! woo hoo! Yes, I know. He's 3 years and 8 months old. It's about bloody time. And he's doing great! (As he should since he's practically an adult by now!) The biggest hang-up in the whole process? Not him. Me. I sooo hate dealing with this whole process. Even now that we're having relative success (2 to 3 pairs of underwear a day is fairly successful, no?) I'm still dreading the whole process. Do I put on a pull-up every time we go out in public? How do you get a kid that's OCD about going in his toilet only (not even any other toilet in our house) to go in a public restroom?

Anyway, we're on day 4 of underwear only. Now our next hurdle? Doin' that other duty. Ya know... #2. sigh. Kid has got to have a killer belly ache by now, no? This picture is my attempt to get him to try and do the duty. (no luck on this attempt.) Thank heavens for laptops, and thank heavens for Star Wars Legos.

The HIGHLIGHT of my Christmas Season

I know... it's not even Halloween yet... but... DO read on...

Man, oh man... can I just tell you how much I LOVE the Mormon Tabernacle Choir's Christmas Concert? I can be having the worst, most bah-humbug season ever, and all I have to do is go to that concert and I'm floating on cloud nine. There is something about music that has always touched me so deeply. Moreso than any other medium.

And so, it has been with great sadness that I've missed the registration for the random ticket drawing the last two years. (But don't worry... I got to go both years anyway... gotta love connections!) So I'm here to tell you that registration is coming up!

October 25th-November 4th

Mark your calendars and visit this site for more information!

Believe me... it'll be the very best part of your Christmas season... Well, at least in the top 3. Trust me! Do it! And GOOD LUCK getting tickets. If you get them and I don't... well, you better be giving me a call... heh heh.

Pumpkin Time!

We had our annual pilgramige to the pumpkin patch. This year, we allowed the brothers to join us. Of course, I forgot the camera! But hopefully "Aunty" Heidi will be sending her iPhone pics soon. Because of my blunder, we decided to have a second go-around at Engh Gardens with our neighbors, the Browers. It was a lot of fun! Of course the pirate ship was a huge hit with Alex.

The Pumpkin Patch

Face Time

Dear Blog:

I'm sorry I haven't visited with you more often or updated you regularly. You see, I have a problem. It's called, "competition for the computer." We only have one computer at our house, and whenever I want to use it, someone else is always on it. I never get to have any face time with you, my blog, anymore.

How can that be, you ask? I know, I know... Alex is only three, and Mark is gone to work all day. However, you should never underestimate the abilities of this new generation. Alex already knows how to open the laptop, login, and find his favorite Lego movies online. He's very good at using the little touchpad on the keyboard. (better than me!) If I get near the computer in the day, all I hear is, "I want the computer! Pppplllease, mommy, can I have the computer? I want it, I want it, I want it!" It's not a battle I want to fight so I end up neglecting you, my poor blog.

Then evening rolls around and Mark gets home. I don't even have a chance to get near you, dear blog, because of two simple, yet very powerful, words: Fantasy Football. 'nuff said.

So, I just want you to know that I'm still around. I still love my kids (most of the time), and I still love my friends' blogs too. I hate the cold, but I'm excited for the upcoming holiday season. Maybe as time goes on, my loved ones will lose their interest in the computer and I'll be back in full force. Until then... I send my warmest regards.

-Tiffany

Powell...

Ahh.... We're back to the daily grind. But it was soooo fun! We went to Lake Powell with 4 other couples from our area. We stayed on a houseboat and had a couple of ski boats to haul us around. It was such a great time of year to be there. The lake was so quiet and the water was glassy almost all day. I'm still adjusting back to being on solid ground. I'm kind of swaying in my head right now as I write this. :)

It was actually harder than I thought it would be to leave the kiddies. The first night, I was totally homesick for them! But... I got over that rather quickly. heh heh. I knew they were in good hands (thanks Gma C, Haley, Wendy, Capri & CJ! phew!) so I didn't worry too much about them. Poor Alex had a bit of a hard time. When I talked to him on my way home, he was sobbing so hard he couldn't put two words together. Poor kid. But today he's been all smiles and said, "I'm so happy you're home!" I'm happy too! Although a houseboat beats camping, there's still nothing like my own bed and my own hot shower that's not lakewater!

The group we went with (Hudson's, Neff's, Ellis', and Beckham's) was sooo hilarious. I don't think I've laughed that hard in ages. I'd love to get into details, but it was decided that "what happens in Powell, stays in Powell." Two little catch phrases that will mean nothing except to those of us who were there are: "You say you don't like it, but you really do like it," and "No, means eventually." And of course, there's the discovery that someone named Bubbles Galore actually existed. (I don't recommend you Google her, however...) So without further ado, here are the only pictures I took. I'm hoping to get some more e-mailed to me in the next day or two, so I'll update when I can. All-in-all, it was a great trip!

This was looking out from a cool cave-like cavern. It was sooo gorgeous. Pictures don't do justice:
This is our good friend, Gary:This is Becky's and my cute pedicures with some redrock in the background for effect:Some more gorgeous redrock and blue skies:This was a funny moment of the men showing their "feminine side." They all loved the girly, smelly lotion, and rubbed it all over their legs and feet.