Two weeks

It started out with two years, now it's down to two weeks. He left before Claire was even conceived and now he'll get to meet his almost 15 mo. old niece. For him the return home is conflicting, bittersweet I'm sure. I've never served a mission but I assume that his life and identity right now is as a missionary. Now he has to go back home and and transition his current self into that former world. 

He works hard, and has his personal bar set very high. He has immersed himself in this selfless work - asking that our emails to him avoid "Can't wait to see you! Miss you! Wish you were here!" That's a sign to me that he feels what he is doing right now is the most important thing in the world and with time waning, he can't waste a minute feeling distracted or homesick. 

I am grateful for his selfless service and growth. There are very few opportunities in the world where impulsive young men can develop such discipline, personal refinement and practice such selfless service for two whole years while developing a deep love for a people and culture. I am grateful David chose to use this time in his life to touch souls and affect the eternities.

David has come a long way from the terrorizing little brother he once was  - trying to survive his bossy, easily-reactive big sister :) I'm so grateful this strong young man is my brother and since he's not reading this I have to say- I can't wait to see him!!!!!!!!!!!!

Duck Pond

Last Friday we enjoyed an evening at the park where Claire was free to roam and wear her little legs out. She is definitely a toddler now and likes to go where she chooses.

Makin her daddy proud

Runnin free after a bath

Last room...for now

So the major decorating is settling down now. Our room is finished and it feels nice. In the last few years I haven't put much effort into making our room feel complete and coordinated but it really does make a difference! It feels good just to hang out there. Also, it gets really nice natural light during the day (although the lighting isn't too great in these pics) and there's space for the keyboard that was donated to me, so I spend more time in my room than I have in a while.

Although it's far from ideal (the paint color isn't our favorite but was freshly done before we moved in and would be a significant project so we're working with it for now) I think it's good to jump in and try developing new skills - like decorating. It can only get better from here.

I made the sign above the bed (here's the inspiration) and the headboard (used this and this for the how-to) and pillows (tutorials here and here). The bedside trinkets and tables are Goodwill/Savers finds.

No-sew curtains! I know I can't get away with no-sew stuff forever. I need to work those skills

Made the silhouettes using this technique and the star using this.

We have a toddler now!!! Crazy.

Showing off her newly developed praying skills - folding her arms at any mention of "pray" "fold arms" or "Heavenly Father"

Romney Rally

So, since the latest presidential debate was only an hour away from us a month or so ago, we decided to take the opportunity and go to the Romney rally which was earlier that day. It was fun to go and see Mitt in person - so close! If we were more aggressive we could have squeezed through a bunch of senior citizens to the front of the crowd and shake his hand. Afterwards I noticed one elderly gentleman holding his hand out to his admiring friends, "He shook my hand!" The atmosphere was exciting with music blaring and a bunch of press, bloggers, politicos, and young energetic campaign people on the sidelines. I was even approached by an unusually inquisitive man near the end asking about why I came, who I was voting for, who my family was voting for, why I was voting for him, etc. For subtle reasons the guy didn't seem like a natural Romney supporter so I wouldn't be surprised if he was researching from the opposing side.

All in all, I think it will be beneficial for us to tell Claire that we took her to a political rally like this someday. Hopefully she will identify and value her parents as being politically active and involved in our country and that will translate to her own life and decisions.

Ragnar's in the bag-nar

Ragnar's in the bag. It's done - can't believe it! It was definitely worth it. In the middle of your run when you're dying on a road in the middle of nowhere you question why in the heck you're doing it, but as soon as you're back in the van laughing with your team and eating food you know why - it's just fun! Like a road trip with your buddies. Of course I had to run it sick - I had a slight sore throat and sinus pressure but didn't think much of it. Each run wiped me out and I felt really sick by the end but I finished and did fine overall. As soon as I got home however the strep throat hit me full blast. I'm just barely feeling myself again and my tonsils have deflated much closer to their original size now thank-goodness. I will emphasize again, it was still worth it. Highlights:

• Leg one: Getting to run at 11 am before the heat of the day hit full blast. Running among the saguaro's in the beautiful desert and hitting my pace almost the whole 7.3 miles.
• Leg two: 11 pm. Running on a rocky off-road trail in the pitch black with nothing but a flimsy headlamp and red blinking route-markers. Sliding down very vertical slopes and wading through sand pits in the same blackness. I kind of bragged beforehand that I actually liked running at night - it was peaceful. This time I was scared. But not scared enough to hate it, only enough to kind of get spooked and think "this is crazy and this is why I'm doing it." 6.4 miles
• Leg three 9.0 miles at 9:00 am. This leg was uphill for two miles then very gradual downhill for seven. The road was very straight and by this point my affected body was feeling it. The mental game got really hard here and I got mad at myself when one of the purple tutu girls passed me (no one dressed in a tutu should ever pass you). The last mile however I told myself I was kicking it up a notch and running more uncomfortably the whole time. That strategy worked well in my half and it worked well here. I passed five people the last mile and felt satisfied. 
• 22.7 miles total. 

Team name: Just D.O. It! Most of the guys or wives on our team were D.O. students/wives at Midwestern

In the midst of the mental battle of my last leg. That's why it looks like I'm speed walking

Two of our teammates were pregnant. Tough girls

My support team. Christian volunteered one of the nights

Claire's Room

Finally it is done (at least for now)

Made tissue pom poms from one of many tutorials on Pinterest. The things in her room are a collection of things from my own life mixed with second-hand items mixed with a couple new things (frame and curtains). It feels good to see it all come together.

The figurines are from my mom and dad when I was one year-old. The framed print is from Sugarfresh and the letter C was made by my friend Kari. The floating shelves were from a yard sale and then spray-painted.

The print above the dresser was made by yours truly. I saw a similar one on Pinterest and thought "I can do that!" I downloaded a font I liked from dafont.com and spaced stuff out on MS Publisher. I printed at Kinkos for $2.00. And of course she's too little for that big bed so she's still in her trusty pack n' play. Don't know when we'll be getting a crib - it's too darn convenient and Claire does just fine in it.

Claire is loving her books lately. She'll open them up and start doing the actions or sounds from her favorites.

                                     

"Hey mom! I need your attention"

 Her classic cheesy grin

With her baby and one of her favorite books - Brown Bear, Brown Bear. I've almost got it memorized.