Sneak Peek!

Happy Birthday, Rockin' Boy!

Jonathan turned TWO last month. What a joyous occasion! He was blissfully unaware of when his birthday was, or even what a birthday was, even though Clara made a point of reminding him about his special day for more than a week.

Jonathan woke up to the traditional birthday “tunnel,” although this year’s was a bit skimpy since I ran out of crepe paper. He didn’t seem to mind. We went downstairs for breakfast and found a room full of balloons, which thrilled Jonathan. We then had “Bug’s favorite birthday breakfast,” as chosen by Clara: Lucky Charms. This was actually a funny story: when I asked Clara what she thought Jonathan wanted for his birthday breakfast, she immediately said, “Oh, his favorite thing is the thing we had on Sam’s birthday. You know. The thing with the little shapes.” It took me a full five minutes of questioning to land on Lucky Charms. I hadn’t even remembered I bought that on Sam’s birthday (confession: it’s my favorite sugar cereal). Leave it to Clara…


After breakfast, we gave Jonathan his first present: a t-shirt with a motorcycle on it. So happy, he was! Then we drove to Minnehaha Park in Minneapolis, which is a great park. We splurged for Jonner and rented a family bike. Jeremy and I huffed and puffed for an hour, much to the pleasure of our children, who nevertheless never seemed to think we were going fast enough up the rolling hills.


When we got home from our bike ride, Jonathan took a luxurious afternoon nap, after which he got his present from us: a sit and spin (courtesy of Goodwill! In times like these, you know…). He was so groggy with sleep that it took him awhile to figure out how to spin, but he seemed to like it pretty well.


Following a dinner of Dad’s Special Cheesy Noodles, Jonathan opened his last gift: an awesome toy motorcycle. I don’t know where this love for motorcycles comes from, but it’s definitely a hot hit. He carries it with him everywhere, including to bed. I find it very pleasant to tote around with me when he’s tired of carrying it with him.

Goodness. Happy Birthday to the sweetest little boy I can imagine. We love you, Buggy!

Life in Olympic Village

About a week and a half ago, we loaded up the Golf with everything we could possibly fit into the world’s smallest car. Jeremy worked some pretty miraculous feats of packing, and I was stunned by everything we were able to cram in. We spent three days driving across the country surrounded by the detritus of our life. The kids were great sports, though, and the highlight of the journey for them was the hotel swimming pool in Ames, Iowa.

Now we are all settled in our new home in St. Paul. The complex we live in is full of university students, most of whom have families, and most of whom are international students. The buildings are fairly dated; our apartment was built in the 1950s, and the “new” buildings were built in the 1970s. It’s a cross between Hooverville and an international housing project. After batting around several possible names for our new place (we always like to name our homes, sometimes more creatively than others), we settled on “Olympic Village.” It’s a great place. We have really embraced the lifestyle of our new international digs, including hanging our laundry out on the line with our Chinese neighbors. The only thing I don’t like is that I’m pretty sure they’re all better cooks than I am. Every evening when we’re fixing dinner, the scents of curries and sundry Chinese food waft through our open windows. Jeremy usually wanders wistfully to the window and says, “Wow. Doesn’t that smell good?” The truth is, it really does. Maybe I’ll have to figure out their culinary secrets in the short time we’re here.

The apartment itself is fairly basic, but in excellent repair. The paint is fresh (though we do wonder how many hundreds of layers of paint have been applied to this one apartment in the last 60 years) and the upstairs carpet is new. The kitchen, though small, is pleasant. We even have what I like to call a “Fisher Price” stove—a tiny apartment stove that looks too small to be real. But it works well and still has four burners. What more does one family need? We have no dishwasher and no garbage disposal, no internet, no microwave, no apartment laundry, (though there is a communal laundry at the end of the building), and no air conditioning. Believe it or not, none of these have been problematic other than the air conditioning. The weather hasn’t been horrible, but today, for example, the temperature is in the 90s and the low tonight will only be 75. Then tomorrow it’ll be in the 90s again. That makes for some hot times inside.

Other than the periodic heat, I can’t say enough good about the Twin Cities. Other than the odd bridge falling into the Mississippi River, this seems to be an ideal place. Yes, I know I haven’t hit winter yet, but of all the wintry places I’ve lived in (and you may know that’s been quite a few), this is the only place that actually seems prepared for a long winter in terms of having lots of fun indoor things to do. There are indoor conservatories and museums, lots of great libraries, and of course the Mall of America. And both downtown St. Paul and Minneapolis have extensive skyway systems, so you can enjoy a winter day downtown with minimal exposure to the elements. Genius!

As is our tradition, on our second day here we went to the library to get everyone library cards. Our closest library is small, but it’s in this beautiful old brick building, and the children’s section is in a circular room. You’d have to have known me for pretty long to know how excessively fond I am of round rooms. We’ve also visited the Como Park Zoo, which is free (with a nominal requested donation), Ikea, and the Mall of America. And we’ve gone to several fun parks. All of this in less than a week, and there’s still so much to see and do! We haven’t even been to Minneapolis yet! We look forward to upcoming visits to the Children’s Museum, and, of course, the State Fair. Some of my alert readers will know that we live within a very near proximity to the State Fair. Even though we haven’t gone yet, we have enjoyed several concerts and fireworks show from our bedroom. And by “enjoy” I mean “stay awake until 11:00 p.m. listening to Big Head Todd and the Monsters and waiting for the fireworks so we can go to bed.” Last night we were favored by a concert from Tim McGraw and Julianne Hough. We’re super pumped about some of next week’s offerings: Weird Al Yankovich and Kiss. Goodness. We actually are excited about Prairie Home Companion and are more or less indifferent to tonight’s guest: Carrie Underwood.

Sorry there aren't more pictures (Mom)! I'll get some good ones posted soon...

On the road again

When people start asking me when I'm going to update my blog, it makes me feel like perhaps too much time has passed since my last entry. So thanks, Julia, for a motivational (if virtual!) kick in the pants. Here's what we've been up to lately:

On July 29th, we loaded our earthly possessions into a trusty 16-foot Budget truck and drove from lovely Coeur d'Alene, ID to lovely Utah. As is always the case when we move, we were sad to say goodbye to the wonderful friends we made during our two years in Coeur d'Alene. I've long wished that I could just pack my friends up in a suitcase and take them with me from place to place, but since that's not possible I am just grateful for the people whose paths we are able to cross. We've truly been blessed with wonderful friends.

Contrary to what you might be thinking at this point, we are not actually moving to Utah. At present, we are on a little vacation, visiting family and preparing for another big move--this time to Minneapolis. Jeremy has a postdoctoral fellowship at the University of Minnesota this fall, which we are super excited about. Since the fellowship is only four months, though, we decided to put our stuff into storage and travel dustbowl refugee-style to Minnesota, taking only what we can fit into our compact car. It's going to be a good time.

We're quite enjoying our time in Utah. We've been able to visit with a lot of family and see our favorite Utah sites. For example, today we drove to Provo for our traditional BYU campus visit (Go, Cougars!). Clara and Jonathan had a great time running around, visiting old friends (of mine), and eating ice cream in the Cougareat.

When we finished at BYU, we drove to the cemetery to visit Sam's grave. I think it might have been Jonathan's first visit, and though Clara has been there before she seemed to understand more where we were and why we were there. We decorated his grave with pine cones and sticks we collected, then we knelt for a family prayer at his graveside. It was a tender, peaceful, memorable experience.

It's an interesting thing to teach our children about their brother. I want them to know about Sam without worrying them needlessly about death. Today when we were driving home from the cemetery, Clara said, "Why did Sam die?" I said, "I don't know, exactly. He was very sick." She replied, "Why was he very sick?" I said, "Well, he got very, very, very sick in Mommy's tummy, and then he was born and he was still very sick, and then he went back to live with Heavenly Father. We were so sad for him to die, but we're glad that we can remember him and that we can see him again someday." She didn't say much after that, but I hope I said the right things. I'm grateful for Clara and Jonathan, and for Jeremy. Even when our lives are in upheaval, like they are during a move, I always feel safe and at home with my family around me. And it was nice to feel like all five of us were together today, even for just a moment.

Sing a song of summer!

Summer is here, at long last. After such a long, wet spring, I feel like it's gotten hot rather quickly (and of course by "hot" I mean anywhere with five degrees of 80, which can start to feel a bit warm in a house with no air conditioning. It can! Don't judge me.).

We've made the transition quickly, I think, and have spent many recent days exhausting ourselves and our children with fun warm weather activities. I've even been riding my birthday bike (thanks, Jeremy!) to and from work!

We started our adventures a few weeks ago with a random, impromptu trip to Moscow, ID and Pullman, WA. You probably know we are "university tourists," so we ended up at both the University of Idaho and Washington State University. Both are quite nice campuses, although I will admit to being more enamored with WSU. I can't help it. It's very, very nice. Jonathan and Clara liked UofI better, probably because we bought them each a push pop. (A side note: you'll notice we only brought our single stroller--very short-sighted--but it turned out all right; we just started calling them Lewis and Clark.)



Downtown Moscow was really fun. We were there during a downtown art festival with live music and chalk drawing. There's also a fun playground right in the middle of downtown. The kids loved it, as you might imagine, although it was hard to tell that amidst the incessant wailing that accompanied us on our 90 minute drive home.



Two weeks ago we hiked Tubb's Hill, which is a lovely mountain in downtown Coeur d'Alene. Jonathan was a sport in the hiking backpack, and Clara was an even bigger sport by hiking almost the entire length of the two-mile hike. The biggest sport of all? It's got to be a toss-up between me and Jeremy, since Jeremy toted Jonathan the whole way and I carried a heavy, squirmy, crazy-haired Clara for the last 1/4 mile. Downhill. Jeremy and I brought along some interpretive trail literature (don't mock) so we could identify the trees and shrubs and the "fool's gold" minerals in the rocks (it's mica!). Clara enjoyed sitting down on the trail near each numbered sign and listening, although after about 5 mini-lessons she said, "Mom, let's just sit down without the paper this time." I was about to write that she has no zest for knowledge, but that's clearly not the case. In fact, she remembers more about the trail than I do, since she was annoyed with me just today when I told her a stick without leaves was called a stick and she said it was called a "snag." For the record, we're both right, since technically a snag is a full dead tree, not just a stick. Word.




And to fill up the rest of our time, we've enjoyed the beach, playing outside, going to storytime, and eating free lunch at the elementary school. I do have to give a lot of credit to Jeremy for making the summer special for the kids. I teach Monday through Thursday from 8:00 to noon, and Jeremy has filled up the mornings will all manner of awesome fun. His drive and organization have not disappeared since he graduated, and their "fun" is carefully scripted each day, but Jonathan and Clara don't know that. All they know is that they get to have great outings to the park, to the free summer movies, to the beach, and to school lunch. Fantastic.

The New Face of Thirty

So I turned thirty last week. 30. Three-zero. I had a great day, other than having to spend four hours teaching my summer writing class. Jeremy made me my favorite breakfast: homemade waffles with cherry pie filling and whipped cream (nothing says "It's my birthday!" like a healthy helping of high-fructose corn syrup, I've always said). After my classes, Jeremy and the kids picked me up from school, then we relaxed at home. I played the part of "birthday diva" very well and spent a pleasant afternoon reading and lounging.

Much to my surprise, Jeremy arranged babysitting so we could go out to dinner. We ate at Azteca, and he even told the server it was my birthday, which actually was a bit humiliating since evidently Azteca is one of those restaurants where like eight people sing to you and then make you wear a ridiculous straw hat. It was a good time, though, and the portobello mushroom and spinach quesadilla was pretty darn tasty.


Even more to my surprise, when we went to pick up the kids at our friends' house, there was a petite surprise party waiting for me. I had no idea! And while you may think it's amazingly thoughtful of Jeremy to organize all of this for me, what's even more amazing is that he did all of this over the phone. That's how I know Jeremy loves me: he's willing to actually pick up a phone, call people, and talk to them--all in my behalf. He's quite a fella.


And there you have it. I've long considered 30 to be the age of true legitimacy as an adult, although now that I'm here I don't feel extra legitimate by any means. But it's good to be 30 with Jeremy, at least until July 4th, when he'll bravely pave the way to 31 for me. Thanks to everyone who bade me a happy day! I very much enjoyed myself.

Jeremy B., PhD

I am quite overdue in posting this, but I thought I should report that Jeremy finished his PhD. He took a quick trip to Syracuse last month to defend his dissertation, and he passed with distinction. In fact, his committee basically sent him home with nothing to do but submit his final draft to the university, which he did the next week. And now he's done! Five years at BYU, two years at Montana State, and four years at Syracuse University, and Jeremy will never again enter a classroom as a student.

You'll not be surprised to hear that I am really quite proud of him. After two successful years in Syracuse, we came to Idaho for Jeremy to do his dissertation, which (in a very little nutshell) examines the interconnections between small city urban development and environmental amenities. He finished his dissertation in two years, which includes the inevitable time spent adjusting to a new baby in the family. What's more amazing, I think, is that he wrote his entire dissertation--all 330 pages of it--in our bedroom, with just a wall separating him from the craziness of home life with two small, energetic children. Not only was he able to produce quality academic work, but he was also able to be around for every single milestone either of the kids had in the last year. In fact, I'm not sure how they'll cope with not having Jeremy around for three meals a day, knowing he is "making words" in the next room.

And now we're on to the next chapter, starting with a postdoctoral fellowship at the University of Minnesota this fall. I just love Jeremy and am constantly amazed by his drive and work ethic. And even though he won't respond to me anymore unless I address him as Dr. B----- (I kid!), I think I'll keep him around. He's a good seed.

Congrats, Grad!

Sunshine Day

We have had a protracted cold, wet spring, so imagine the great pleasure we took in a Saturday pleasant enough for short sleeves and hours of backyard fun! Jeremy and I ventured outside during the kids' rest time, and when Clara emerged from her room she was thrilled to join us in the yard. She settled into her chair--quite comfortably, as you can see--and said,

"Oh, isn't it nice to sit in the shade on a hot, sunny day?"

Indeed it is, Clara. Indeed it is.






Other than the sunshine, which, frankly, would've been exciting enough on its own, Jeremy and I also scored free tickets to see a live broadcast of "A Prairie Home Companion" in Spokane yesterday. Some friends of ours had won the tickets but couldn't use them, and then they'd evidently tried seven other friends before calling us, but no one wanted them! I'm not sure whether I should be offended that we were their eighth choice, but regardless, we were thrilled. Before the broadcast Garrison Keillor walked through the audience with one of his guests, singing love songs and cracking jokes. At one point, he was close enough to spit on. It was great to see in the flesh someone whose voice we've heard on the radio for a great many years. Plus, they had some really classic jokes about Idaho, and a great sequence that parodied both business people and English majors. I was particularly amazed to learn that when Garrison Keillor is giving the News from Lake Wobegon, he is speaking completely extemporaneously--no notes in sight! It was fascinating to see the workings of a live radio show--especially one with such a storied history. Loved it.

Writing a note to Garrison before the show.




And that's the news from Lake Wobegon, my home town...

When Shoes Fly

Clara participated in her first-ever foot race today. She ran 1/4 mile with about 20 other three and four year olds at our downtown park. We've been busily "training" by running a quarter-mile loop in our neighborhood, where she has learned several "important things" (as she calls them) about running:

1)it's important to "put your head down so the vines don't hit you" (duck under the weeping willow around the corner);
2)it's important to pump your arms while you run;
3)it's important to "put your eyebrows down so you can beat the other runners" (she is very sensitively attuned to the various emotions eyebrows can communicate; when they're "down," people are either angry, frustrated, or--evidently--determined).

So yes, she was clearly very well prepared for the race and had a stellar time. She chose her own race garb and wore her "fast shoes." I was worried when we first got to the park, since she wouldn't let the volunteer write a number 3 on her leg, even though she had been so excited about body marking that I brought my own sharpie just in case leg numbers weren't on the menu. She also flatly refused to wear her race number or make eye contact with anyone or let me put her down. But she soon rallied, remembered her "important things," and had her game face on before the race began.

She had the option of me running with her, which she declined, and as we headed for the starting line she overheard a little boy saying, "Mom, I'm going to win!" She got really concerned and said to me, "No, I'm going to win, right? Aren't I going to win, Mom?" I told her she should just have fun and not worry about winning, and I think she took my advice, since winning never came up again.

By the time she crossed the finish line (it didn't take long), her face was lit up with the joy of sport. I will admit to getting a little teary at watching my girl sprint to the finish (see--I do have a heart!). She's all set for next year. Here's hoping we can find a race for her wherever we happen to live!

In honor of Mother's Day....

...being over, I thought I'd give you a snapshot of my mothering by letting you hear a few actual phrases I have uttered to my children this week:

• "I don't understand why you keep asking me questions you already know the answer to."
• "Stop hitting him! What is wrong with you?"
• "If you use that sassy voice once more time, you may never come out of time out!"
• In response to Clara's new phrase she uses if she doesn't want to do something ("I'm scared of clothes! I'm scared of getting my hair done! I'm scared of taking my rest!"): "Well, what you should be scared of is ME!"

And my personal favorite:

• "WHY DO YOU GUYS HAVE TO RUIN EVERYTHING OF MINE THAT IS NICE??"

So yes, "Mother of the Year" award is probably passing me by this year. And now that I've confessed, I think I will go back to being Patient Mommy. She is lots more fun to have around.

Happy Mother's Day!

The Husbandless in Her Affliction

I have often heard people say that moms should leave town every now and again so their husbands and children learn to appreciate them more and value everything they do. I think there may be some truth to that, but I am also convinced--at least in my own case--that this is a street that runs two ways.

Last week, Jeremy went to Washington, D.C. for a few days to present a paper at a conference. The kids and I had a pleasant time at home, but I learned at least two very important things:

1. I do not have a dish fairy. For a long time I was sure a magical dish fairy lived in my house. On many days, the fairy actually did the dishes. On the days I did the dishes and left all of the dripping wet handwashing dishes on the counter, I was sure the fairy was the one who dried the dishes and put them away. I was wrong. As it turns out, it was Jeremy. Who knew?

2. Jeremy is very handy to have around in the mornings. I had my suspicions about this already, since I can count on basically one hand the number of times I've had to get up when my kids get up in the morning (this seems only fair, since Jeremy is already awake, right? And I'm still up by 7:00. That's still early. And yes, our kids get up insanely early, which I define as any time before 7:00). But this was very clear to me on the Friday morning he was gone. I teach a once-a-week class at the college on Friday mornings. I am in my office at 8:00 for my office hour then teach from 9:00 to 11:30. This semester, a series of friends have watched Jonathan and Clara for me, and evidently, the fact that the kids are clothed, fed, and ready to go to friends' homes by 7:45 is not the miracle I thought it was. As it turns out, again, it was Jeremy.

So we missed Jeremy while he was gone, and we're glad to have him back. I just really love that guy. Really, how could I not love a man who took a series of touristy self-portraits in Washington just because he knew I would love them? That's off the hook, Jer. Thanks.