More Word Fun From Mandy

Hi again,

Cary guest blogger here.

Enough is enough. I've been working dog-hours all summer so far on a job that required heavy hours for excellent pay and to leave me free for the last half of summer. The last half is here, so we farmed out the kids and had a little retreat. We had a great and uplifting time at the Hill Cumorah Pageant, stayed at a charming bed and breakfast in Ithaca (Thomas Farm, for anyone in the area--we highly reccomend it!), and spent a hot muggy morning hiking a delightful nature trail with some breathtaking falls at Treman State Park.

But the best part of it was how long I had Mandy alone in a van, just talking. We had a lot of fun. I wanted to share 2 of the highlights just because this side of her personality she will not write about herself--I think it's against her code or something...But I can do it!

#1. The Spunky Side

Mandy: "I think if I wanted a bumper sticker I would get one that just says BUMPER STICKER."

#2. The poetic side

You know how some people have the gift of putting together two seemingly unrelated words or concepts to make the most perfect description, or capture the most pure essence of some phenomenon? My literary studies have given me to admire that in almost every poet I can cite. Mandy has that gift. She's got the soul of a poet. I'm sure reading her blog many of you get that sense. It's not the "flowery overflowing" language of some kinds of poetry, but rather the "those two simple words together nails it better than any dictionary ever could" kind of poetry.

What's the phrase? Picture a yard we're driving by at 60 miles/hour where you can barely see the lawn for all the eclectic collection of variously shaped ornaments and trinkets.

Mandy, with her usual spunk: "Now there's a plague of knick-knacks".

A plague of knick-knacks! On par with a pride of lions, a herd of cows or a gaggle of geese, right? But a PLAGUE, no less: captures in a word the process by which such a yard was most likely created, like some sort of disease unstoppably spread.

Mandy will never cease to give me things to admire her for.

Mandy's Vocabulary

Cary guest blogger here.

Mandy's got a humungous vocabulary. Anyone who's ever tried to take her on in Scrabble (or her latest Facebook application craze: Scramble--check it out here) knows she can't be beat. So the other day I was mining her considerable resources to help me come up with a definitive list of verbs derived from "mettre" for a French lesson I was writing as part of my summer job. The root is the same in English, so I started the list and asked her to come up with similar ones: admit, commit, permit, emit, omit, etc.

Her answer:

VOMIT

Yup...She's a mom!

We had a good laugh.

Stats for the day (to the tune of "The 12 Days of Christmas")

On the first day of May, this is what I did:

14 dirty diapers
13 hugs and kisses
12 no, no, no's!
11 faces wiped
10 minutes napping
9 children's songs
8 loads of laundry
7 miles walking
6 beds changed
5 Lana feedings
4 children's baths
3 feverish children
2 time-outs for Everett
and a handful of chocolate chips!

100 things about me.

1. I like chocolate (too much). I eat it when I’m stressed or frustrated.
2. My first name is Edith, after my Great-grandmother.
3. I love to have things really organized.
4. Being a good mom takes precedence over perfect order.
5. I am a perfectionist, but I’m getting over it.
6. Green is my favorite color.
7. I love to hike and take walks.
8. I love camping, as long as there is a bathroom nearby!
9. I haven’t been able to hike or camp very much since having kids.
10. I enjoy playing my flute, especially when it actually sounds good.
11. I wish I could keep up with it better.
12. I like to eat just about any food that I don’t cook.
13. I used to LOVE making (& eating) desserts, but now it affects my waistline too much!
14. My favorite is a good New York cheesecake. Yum!
15. I feel like bringing my children into the world and being a mom are the greatest things I’ve ever done.
16. I really don’t like “exercising”.
17. I like canoeing and rollerblading, and dancing as long as no one outside my family is watching!
18. I think sunbathing is a ridiculous waste of time, but perhaps this has something to do with my fair skin.
19. I’m not a big fan of pink.
20. I would rather people be honest than try not to hurt my feelings.
21. I don’t offend easily.
22. I enjoy gardening.
23. I have a hard time not pulling weeds when I’m outside in the summer.
24. I have a really hard time finding music that I like. (I want music that really makes me want to dance without junky lyrics.)
25. I lived in Utah for three years without going skiing once. The whole idea seems kind of scary and cold.
26. I love mountains and trees, and living near family. I wish there was a place that had all three things!
27. I get headaches from perfumey stuff (including candles) and cigarette smoke.
28. It annoys me when people wear strong perfume or cologne.
29. I love swiss chard from the garden! And broccoli. Ooh—and fresh tomatoes cut up with a little bit of salt on them, and corn on the cob! These are some of the things I love about summer.
30. And real mashed potatoes. Mmmm. They’re one of my comfort foods.
31. I hate celery.
32. I wanted to be an English teacher.
33. Or a book editor.
34. I have a BA in English and a minor in music.
35. I used to jump down flights of stairs—all the time.
36. I don’t like being in the spotlight...yet I am publishing this post.
37. I love our extended family, and wish we weren’t so spread out.
38. Beautiful singing makes me cry.
39. So does beauty in nature (when viewed in a peaceful setting).
40. I love the feeling in the air just before a thunderstorm.
41. Fall is my favorite season.
42. I enjoy playing the piano—especially when I don’t have to.
43. I hate scheduling doctor’s appointments. I have no idea why.
44. I have never dyed my hair. I once bought a temporary dye and didn’t have the heart to use it.
45. I never had pierced ears.
46. I used to take out aggression on my marimba (and sometimes the piano).
47. I wouldn’t want to do college again, but I’d like to take a few courses one at a time so that I could really enjoy them.
48. Immodest clothing really bothers me.
49. And little girl clothing that looks like miniature women’s clothing.
50. I like cats. When we were waiting for kids, we got a kitten.
51. I like it when Cary cleans the toilets—my most detested chore.
52. I miss Jamba Juice (really good smoothies out West).
53. I used to be really shy. I think church callings and going to France cured me of that.
54. I can speak French because I lived in France for 10 months. (I also took 5 years of courses, but that only gets you so far.)
55. I thought I would marry someone tall, with dark hair.
56. I’m glad I married Cary!
57. I like making stuff. I know that’s not very descriptive. I enjoy scrapbooking, building things with wood, sewing, painting, etc.
58. I like it when things are CLEAN and undamaged.
59. I like having kids (and a husband) even better.
60. When Cary is late, I worry, and weird scenarios play through my mind.
61. I’m very attached to my pillow.
62. I really like crêpes with Nutella and banana.
63. I wish there were more things made for more than two children (wagons, strollers, bike trailers, etc.). Maybe I’ll have to make something…
64. I wish I had more time with Cary.
65. I’m glad he’s so supportive of me.
66. I didn’t wear makeup until my senior year of high school.
67. I’m not the most tactful person in the world, though I try.
68. Turtlenecks and watches bug me (when I wear them).
69. I don’t carry a purse—I would just leave it everywhere!
70. I think I’m becoming a patient person.
71. I love having a schedule.
72. I love having sunshine in my house.
73. I really admire something about each of my family members.
74. My parents have dinner with us almost every Sunday.
75. I feel like I’m starting to understand people better. I can get along with most people.
76. A lot of my friends are senior citizens. (They love the kids!)
77. I like reading blogs.
78. I generally prefer literature to modern novels.
79. I love date night!
80. I enjoy going out with my club once a month.
81. I miss my kids when they’re gone, which is rare.
82. I like to walk fast.
83. I’m not a big fan of soda. (Just ask Cary about that one.)
84. I like water and watered-down juice.
85. I miss cute carpenter jeans and the other styles from a few years back. (I know I’m a geek.) I am frustrated with the current “ultra low-rise show your belly and waist flab” jeans.
86. I sometimes wish that I didn’t grow up so much.
87. I miss western sunsets on the mountain.
88. I love green grass that you don’t have to water!
89. I enjoy photography, but don’t really know how to use my digital camera.
90. I miss being able to go to the temple regularly.
91. I enjoy teaching. I used to teach flute lessons, and I love teaching my children.
92. I don’t like to wear dresses or skirts at home. I change as soon as I get home.
93. I wear slippers all winter and go barefoot or wear sandals all summer.
94. I wear sneakers when I’m feeling low on energy.
95. I LOVE my little family.
96. I hated lectures growing up, but I think I’m prone to lecture! I better watch it.
97. I’m very stubborn. (Especially when I know I’m right.)
98. I’m getting better at being a peacemaker.
99. I’m generally pretty positive and upbeat.
100. I am happy with my life.

Apparently I like to hold kids on my right side!

Klutz Maneuvers

I walked into church today carrying one child and two heavy bags. Apparently I miscalculated when I tried to enter the pew, because I ended up flat on my face with one shoe about 5 feet away. Usually we try to arrive right on time, but today I was glad we were early so that only a few people witnessed this particular klutz maneuver! (And my motherly reflexes saved Lana from injury.)

At home today Cary was reading to the children in French and having them repeat the words. They were reading about toys, and came to "une poupée". Gwyn's repetition: "poopy?" Maybe she's not quite ready for French.

One of my recent favorites (in toddler English) is "bloke", which means "broken".

When Angels Come to Stay

As I was mopping the floors today, I was thinking about the ways that motherhood has changed me (starting with my more efficient, and in part previously unnecessary cleaning methods). I decided to add these thoughts to the list of questions I already answered on motherhood.

Motherhood softened me. When I met Cary, my entire wardrobe consisted primarily of four colors: blue, black, khaki, and white. I added some green after that, but when Everett was born--prepare yourselves-- I bought a pink dress *gasp*. But the change went a lot deeper than that. Somehow it was not just okay to be soft: it felt good and right. I guess it felt like a quiet power.

I now mop walls, fridge, stove, dishwasher, and just about the whole bathroom every time I mop!

Being a mother has brought unconditional love to my heart. Even before the tiny beings are born, you love them. When they come and fill your life with messy diapers, lack of sleep, worry, and strain, you love them even more and feel joy in your stress. I feel like I began to have a better understanding of how our Heavenly Father loves us after I became a mother.

Now that it's gone, I recognize that I used to have a lot of time!

I eat more chocolate. (During particularly stressful days I have actually called Cary and asked him to stop for chocolate on his way home. He, being the wonderful husband that he is, actually gets it for me.)

I stay up later in a futile and exhausting attempt to add more hours to the day.

Everything in my house is now either locked, or placed at least three feet off the ground.

I have memorized a lot of Baby Einstein, Veggie Tales, and Disney movies.

To four small children, I am one of the most important and wonderful people in the world.

TAG Motherhood

1. How long have you been a mother?
4 years and 3 months. Before that we had a kitten named Stuart.
2. How many kids call you mommy? 4
3. When you were expecting, did you know what you were having?
Yes--with the girls I suspected that I might be having twins, but told myself that every mother must feel that way at some point. Once I dreamed that I had kittens. :) We found out at the 18 week ultrasound that we were going to have three girls.
4. How old were you when you became a mom? almost 25
5. How long were you in labor?
For Everett my water broke around 9 AM and he was born around 3 PM (Paris time). With the girls, my water broke at midnight and they were born around 3:30 AM.
6. What's your favorite thing about being a mom?
That is probably one of the toughest questions anyone has asked me, so I'm not going to pick just one thing. I love smiles, laughter, hugs, "I love you Mama", seeing them loving each other, watching them learn and discover, their JOY, etc.
7. What's your least favorite thing? screaming children


8. Do you want more kids? at least one more, but not just yet :) 


9. Have you ever taken your kids on a trip?
YES. In August of last year we were insane adventurous enough to drive across the country to Saskatchewan and back for a wonderful family reunion (about 4000 miles).
10. How many times have you been peed on? didn't count that, but the month after the girls were born we used about 1000 diapers

11. How many times have you been barfed on?
Many, many times. Lana had bad reflux for a long time. We would hold her upright for hours and she would still lose it. She and I went through many changes of clothing.
12. Are your kids named after someone? OK--here goes...
Everett Ives: Everett was great grandfather Campbell's first name, and Ives is my father's middle name as well as his mother's maiden name
Elana Ruth: Ruth is my mother's middle name
Gwyneth Anne: Gwyn comes from my sister's middle name, Win
Madeleine Grace: Maddie is after my nickname (Mandy), and Grace is my grandmother's middle name
13. When is the last time you had a sitter? January 25th (after the kids were in bed). We've been having date night! Woohoo!!!

14. When your kid gets in trouble, who is the bad guy?
The child. They know that the consequence is a result of their action (or at least Everett knows). It's usually me that enforces because Cary is working.
15. What is the longest you have been away from your kids?
I was away from Everett for a few days when the girls were born. He had a nasty stomach bug at the same time, so though it was hard, it was probably a good thing! We were away from Maddie, Gwyn, and Everett for about 30 hours to go to the temple. We have only left Lana for about 3 hours at a time because of her feeding issues.
16. Are your toes painted? HAH!
17. Last movie you saw in theater? The Nativity.... No, it was that new Disney one with the modern fairy tale.
Enchanted?
18. One thing you will not give up just because you're a mom: showers--HAHA!
19. One thing you did give up now that you're a mom? sanity?
20. Favorite Cartoon: Veggie Ta-a-ales, Veggie Ta-a-ales... sorry, and Curious George
21. Favorite Snack: chocolate
22. When the kids are napping, you are: spending quality time with Everett, cleaning, or showering
23. Where is/are your kids now? sleeping
24. If I could do it over, I'd do this differently:
I would have emotional control at all times. Every now and then I lose it. I think it's really important for my children to learn this from my example.