Where are they now?

 I just happened across this old blog while I was "googling" myself.  Ha ha!  We are a full 8 years since my last post and not only do we have another child, we live in CHINA!!!

Dress up time!  Can anyone say cultural appropriation?  It was really fun anyway.

This was in Ganzhou where we spent time with our friend, Apple!

How many people do you see?

Splendid China has cultural shows from all the different ethnic groups China.  The shows are sooooo Chinese, meaning beautiful and long.

We love our new country of residence and have a bunch of third culture kids living an international life and hopefully becoming amazing global citizens.  

Boston

Here are some of the many faces of Boston.  He is such a sweet little guy.

When all of my roles collide

It is one of those weeks when every part of my life is demanding at the same time.  When I have a moment, I kind of panic and think I must be forgetting something because I know I have so much to do.

I felt especially torn about tomorrow.  I had an opportunity at my school to earn licensure points and $80 for 4 hours of training.  My sister was going to watch my kids so I was going to get to hang out with her also.  It turns out that this training conflicted with the primary program practice, a presidency meeting I had scheduled, and a birthday party for a boy in our ward that just got out of the hospital after having heart surgery.  As soon as I realized the conflict existed, I decided not to do the training but I was so disappointed.

I had very supportive friends telling me things like, "we have a whole ward family so no one has to do everything by themselves" and "Can't you find someone to help out? I am sure there are plenty of people willing" etc.  So I got it all worked out. I found other people to help with the party and my awesome 1st Counselor and Music Leader totally could handle the practice without me.  I even found a friend to keep Whitney and take her to the practice so she wouldn't have to miss it.

I kept thinking about tomorrow and I was just not feeling happy about missing all these things.  I remember really loving President Uchtdorf's talk from conference, so I reread it and changed my mind yet again.

To avoid some of the deepest regrets of life, it would be wise to make some resolutions today. Therefore, let us:

1. •Resolve to spend more time with those we love.
2. •Resolve to strive more earnestly to become the person God wants us to be.
3. •Resolve to find happiness, regardless of our circumstances.

I decided that the money and points wouldn't matter to me as soon as next month but my potential for making memories was WAY higher staying home and doing the practice and party.  I feel good about my decision but a little sheepish for not just making the correct choice and stickin' to it in the first place.

A Stroller and a Red Bull

So, as I was loading up the car with kids and groceries yesterday, a woman came up to me and told me some of her story.  She said that she had lost her job and moved here from Washington to live with her sister.  She didn't have any money to buy food for her daughter so she asked if I could help her.  Right then, Haylee needed to go to the bathroom so I decided that I could take Haylee in and then help this lady buy some groceries.

She didn't understand me so on the way in, she asked what we were doing.  I told her that I could buy some things for her if she didn't mind waiting until I took Haylee to the bathroom.  She said that she needed a lot of stuff and started listing off milk, bottles, a bottle cleaner/scrubber, a stroller, a few outfits for her daughter since it was her birthday, food, etc and kept repeating that she needed a lot of stuff.  I said I would help but that my husband is a student and we don't have a lot of money but I was sure I could buy her a few things.  (Ironically, I hadn't gone grocery shopping myself for two weeks in an effort to save some money and pay our bills.)

She waited while we used the restroom and I had a chance to think.  I decided that I would let her pick out about $10 worth of stuff and pay for it.  I did have cash in my wallet but I kept on thinking that I didn't want to just give that to her.  When I told her my plan, she started talking about how $10 wasn't enough to get very much.  She asked if I could just go to the ATM and get some money out to give to her.  I told her I could only get a $20 that way and I didn't feel comfortable doing that.  She acted really put out and I really just wanted to tell her to forget it but I apologized and told her that if she didn't want to do it my way, then I didn't need to help her.  (I feel a little guilty because I told her that I didn't have cash)

Anyway, I pointed out some strollers in the front of the store that we could get, or said we could get a cart and get some groceries or whatever she wanted.  She said a few more times how $10 wasn't going to get her very much, then she picked out a stroller.  As we were walking to the register, she asked, "Can I at least get a drink too?" like a spoiled teenager.  I felt embarrassed for her and super bugged but calmly replied, "Sure" and she grabbed a Red Bull.

I paid, she said thanks and left and I walked out with my kids feeling super dissatisfied.  In fact, it might be the least good I have felt about helping anyone before.  It might be that I didn't believe her at all, or that I lied to her about the cash, or her presumptuous manner, or being tired after my own shopping trip but I want a do over.

Family First

So I have never thought I was gorgeous but I have some beautiful ladies in mine and Jason's families so I was confident that my girls had a pretty good chance of getting the good genes.  Here is a perfect example.  My niece, Courtney is just pretty and Haylee looks a lot like her.  I love this pic up at the cabin.  

 I just like the poses in these pictures...

 Here is Jason's cousin with his new wife.  He hadn't seen Jason in 10 years and thus had never met me.  It was fun to make it to Beaver/Manti for the wedding.  We had a good time.

 I have been forcing my family to do pictures together whenever I think of it so hopefully we can get a good one every once in a while.  This one was OK but I didn't know Whitney was trying to put Jason in a head lock and Haylee never wants to smile when we are all together...Oh well.  That is the nature of family pictures I guess.

 My kids... you know with everything else going on right now, my kids are the easy part of my life.  I can look to them for snuggles and hugs anytime mommy needs a break and they make me smile.

Oh boy

So I got sustained on Sunday as the Primary president...  I have always been excited about callings but I am just freaked out about this one.  I knew for a week and was asked to submit a whole bunch of names because our ward boundaries were re-aligned and we lost a bunch of primary workers.  I was called as the secretary about 3 weeks earlier with a new presidency and had been working my tail off to get things going.  The previous presidency had not had a secretary for about a month so things were in disarray slightly.  I guess my hard work paid off...

Anyway, I was super anxious for Sunday because we didn't have an old presidency to help us, we just had to take care of business and there were still 3 classes without teachers (I spent last Friday and Saturday making phone calls to get subs) and I was doing sharing time...  I actually feel blessed by the circumstances.  The presidency I was in just got the ball rolling and we had direction and purpose so we are just going with it.

I reported to the high school on Monday and feel very lucky not to be teaching any new classes.  I can't believe how easy it seems when I don't have to write any new lesson plans.  I just get to fix up the ones I already have!  Piece of cake.  I am also fortunate that Whitney doesn't start school next week with the rest of her school because right now, Jason is working days and it would be a pain to throw drop-off and pick-up in the mix.

What I am struggling with tonight is this spiral effect I am feeling.  I don't feel like I am going to be able to catch my breath until next summer and at that point, I might be packing to move to China or who knows where.

I am mostly just typing word vomit.  I do feel lucky.  I do feel blessed but I don't want to get up early tomorrow.  I couldn't count how many times I said that I was glad I was the secretary in the previous presidency.  I really felt strongly that I loved playing the supporting role and did not want all the pressure that comes with being at the top of any organization.  They kept asking me to teach more classes at the school and I am super glad that I stuck to my guns.  I think I will survive!

Summer Birthdays!

Things are moving along.  Boston is 2 months old and about 16 lbs now.  He looks huge compared to the 20 other babies in our ward.  I exaggerate not, there are literally 20 babies at least in our ward.  We averaged 5 babies a month from January to July but lost a few to moves.  The mothers' room at church is crowded.

I have been able to get back into exercise somewhat.  I was running but have been busy with the garden and getting our house in order.  I didn't do spring cleaning because frankly, I just survived the spring being pregnant, teaching math, and Joy School... now everywhere I turn needs attention.  The kids are great about playing and entertaining themselves and Boston is still a great baby so I have the time I need.

Whitney had her 5th birthday.  It was pretty sad because we spent all morning getting ready for a party we had planned for the afternoon but no one came!.  We only invited 4 little girls Whitney's age because we were having a princess party.  One little girl got chicken pox so we knew she wouldn't be coming but we didn't find out the other three couldn't make it until about 20 minutes after they were supposed to be at our house.  It didn't seem to phase Whitney but I struggled to hold back the tears.  Instead, I tried my best to make it a fun party for just me and my cute girls.  Daddy came home soon after so from then on it was a piece of cake!  We went bowling and ate dinner and played games and opened presents.  We got Whitney a scooter and she is already a pro, riding it everywhere we will let her go.

We are super proud of Whitney.  She is smart, nice and sweet.  The most impressive thing is the way she learns.  She memorizes songs and names quickly and knows things that surprise us cause we can't figure out who taught her all that stuff.  She loves to dance and sing, especially for an audience and she likes to challenge herself.  She decides she wants to do something and she keeps trying until it is done.  The other day, I had her help me pick up apricots off the ground and for every 20 apricots, she got a nickel and she earned 5 because that was her goal.  Nothing I could say persuaded her to do more than that but she also made sure that every bucket had a few extra just to get the job done right.  She is super observant and has a great memory so we don't get away with much with her around.

I mentioned that Haylee also had her birthday but didn't really take the time to write anything about her.  I don't know if my girls could be more different.  They look so different and act so different.  It is amazing to me that they are sisters.  Haylee is quite shy.  I used to say that she was my quiet girl but she is not quiet anymore.  She performs but hesitates and usually only of her own free will.  She is even harder to persuade than Whitney.  Haylee is totally happy on her own.  She sometimes disappears and I don't hear from her because she is just entertaining herself.  She is super cuddly and when she is tired, she doesn't fight it.  She just comes and lays down by one of us and crashes.  She is so sweet and talks in the prettiest sing-song voice.  She comforts other kids when they are hurt and makes sure to say, "thank you for this yummy food, mommy" which about melts my heart.  She is smart but not in a showy way.  She will just surprise us by doing things that we didn't know she could do without seeking attention.

They are both such fabulous girls.  One thing that I learned while teaching Joy School is to point out that people and things are different and that doesn't make them better or worse and we use that a lot around here.  I know my girls will compare themselves to each other but I hope that more often they can appreciate their differences and see the advantages of being unique.

Who knows about Boston.  He has skin and hair color in-between the girls coloring and is so huge and content.  I am pumped to discover his personality and see these kids grow up although with Whitney going into Kindergarten and Boston skipping the infant stage, I kind of wish it would all slow down a little.

Boston's Baby Blessing

It was so nice to have both of our families here for Boston's baby blessing.  We missed those of you who couldn't make it.  

Trip to Washington

It was so nice and relaxing in Washington.  We went to the beach and down to the Columbia.  We also got to visit a few friends and of course, eat at Burgerville!  Haylee had her birthday while we were there and was so nice to share her new toys with her sis.

The 4th of July parade was as entertaining as ever!  

Super Heroes

Here is one of my favorite pictures of Boston.  Cute boy!

 Looking sweet... Check out those big beautiful eyes.  I tell ya, she slays me.

 Olive fingers and you get a glimpse of Jason's hairy face.  He went for a full month without shaving his face. He did shave his neck which cleaned things up.  I thought he looked great!  If only he could have shaved swirly shapes in there like the game maker on The Hunger Games... ha ha!

 I love that their legs are the same.  They both take naps on the way home from visiting their cousins.  The entire time we are at my brother's house, they are running, not just walking or standing, running everywhere.

Here are the super heroes.  The girls took turns with their cousin, Mason, being villains and heroes running around in the back yard.  Haylee's pose is the best! And Whitney loved that her cape matched her outfit...

Boston Rich Tippetts and other cute pics

So we really have had some great moments in the last little while.  This first picture was at the BYU Museum of Art.  We went there on a preschool field trip and Haylee got to wear glasses which she loved since Whitney and I get to wear them all the time...  I think I had this same pair when I was growing up.  My glasses were so thick and heavy!

 Here is Whitney's last game of soccer.  I asked her to pose and you will see her dance pose and soccer pose are very similar.  By the way, I asked her if she would rather do soccer or dance in the fall.  I don't want to do both because she will be starting Kindergarten and I will be teaching again and I fear the busy-ness of it all.  She chose soccer... YES!!!!  Did I mention and I love being a sports mom and don't like me as dance mom so much?  I do not have to curl her hair for soccer, ever!

 I have to admit that she is a pretty good dancer and she really loves to perform.  She fell asleep at her recital about 10 minutes before her second dance and woke up disoriented back stage having been carried there by grandpa but when she realized that she either had to get out on the stage right then or she was going to miss it, she ran right out (about 30 seconds after her classes' dance started, it was hilarious though it stressed me out when I couldn't see her on stage when they started... everything about dance stressed me out.)

 Cosmo joined the fray at the Provo City Convention Center Grand Opening!!  We scored on candy, free food, and prizes including an essential oils starter kit and free t-shirts.  Woot woot.

 She just looks cute!  My sunglasses fit right over her real glasses...  One thing about having bad eyes is that unless you pay for transition lens or get perscription sunglasses, you pretty much just have to squint in the sun.  I am not quite ready to spend money on that stuff when she is so young and prone to losing/breaking things.  We will pay for lasik surgery when she graduates from college.  I already made Jason promise.  Sorry I gave you my bad eyes, sweet child of mine!

 Jason took Whitney on a daddy-daughter date to see a movie.  She even got her purse, she just doesn't know that most women take their purses to sneak in snacks.  I extra love these moments when I see Jason being an amazing dad and how much my girls adore him.

 Here is proof that I was pregnant.  This was taken the day before I had Boston.  I usually avoid pictures during the pregnancy which isn't hard since I'm the picture taker.

 Here is Boston, ready to head home from the hospital.  This is probably him at his smallest since he wasn't getting much from me yet.  He looks so funny to me!

 Grandpa is the best!  The girls were both huddled behind him wimpering at first but when I asked them to look up and smile, this is what I got.  They realized right then, that riding the motorcycle wasn't scary but awesome...

 Boston weighed in at 10 lbs 10 oz and was 22.25 inches at his 2 week appointment.  The poor boy got circumcised that day too instead of at the hospital.  Jason actually watched which I could not bring myself to do.  He is fine now that it has been a week but the poor boy was hurtin' and didn't have all the pain meds in my milk to help him out like he would have his first week of life.

 The girls just love him.  That's all there is to it.  We all do!

Mother of Three!

It has taken me forever to post about this baby!  I've had some questions about labor and delivery and so I will fill you in...

Against my better judgment, I was persuaded to be induced the Monday following my due date.  I was technically due on May 18th but my doctor had been trying to persuade me for two weeks before then to be induced because I was dilated and effaced and my personal opinion is that he didn't want to rush to the hospital in the middle of the night...  He kept telling me that I would go fast and probably wouldn't need pitocin or anything to help me along if he broke my water.

We got to the hospital at 11:00 AM and the doctor came at noon and broke my water and then said, "it is going to be a while".  As he was leaving, he told the nurse to start me on pitocin at 1 PM if I hadn't progressed significantly.  I said I didn't want pitocin and he said I didn't have to have it but it would help things move faster...

At 1 the nurse came to start the pitocin and I asked her to check me first to make sure I hadn't progressed and I had but only to like a 4.5 and I started at like 3.5-4 ish.  So, I decided to get an epidural because I know pitocin makes contractions way harder and I was under the impression that it would be a long time.  I got the epidural, which totally numbed me, and she started the pitocin at about 1:30.  That's when I had a little meltdown.  It felt all wrong to me.  I was shaky from the epidural and I hated that I had to have pitocin. I swear that stuff makes me mad, triggers some angry chemicals in my brain or something.

At about 2:30, I asked for a nurse to check me because I could tell things were happening but I couldn't tell how far along things were because I couldn't feel anything.  She came in and I was all the way dilated and ready to go so she called the doctor.  When he got there, I was so frustrated cause I couldn't even feel to push or anything so he asked the nurse to get him forceps which I didn't want.  He said either we could do the forceps or he would go back to his office and wait an hour for the epidural to wear off enough for me to feel it.  So I gave in again.

Once he used the forceps, I pushed twice and Boston was out.  I tore badly and I really feel like that wouldn't have happened if I had just let things happen naturally.  No breaking the water, no pitocin, no epidural and certainly no forceps.  Our bodies are made to have babies and I have had one naturally and my recovery was so much better that I really regret not holding to my guns and doing it the way I felt was right.

Anyway, I am healing fine and Boston is great!  He ended up being 8 lbs 14 oz and 20.5 inches long.  He was born officially at 2:55 PM on May 21st.  He is here and I am glad and I learned a lot yet again.

Still Pregnant

So despite pressure from my family and doctor, I have continued to wait for this boy to come at his own time.  Turns out he doesn't want to be born.  I am technically only 2 days past my due date, but have decided to help things along tomorrow.  I have some seriously mixed feelings about this.  From my experience, having a baby naturally was quick and easy and I was just hoping to refine the process this time.  I am torn between being sick and tired of being pregnant and wanting to see my boy and doing things the way I think they should be done.  My doctor reassures me that he will just have to break my water and things will take their course, no pitocin or anything, but who knows?  Now I have to decide if I get an epidural because I will have time to make that decision.  It will be in the middle of the day which is nice and my birthday is coming up and it would be nice to be functioning again when it comes around.  We are going to do it tomorrow and I am just going to pray that it goes well! Or even better, let's just go into labor tonight!

Pregnant Lady

So, I went to the doctor today and he said that I am "ripe"... he also said that he could just break my water and we could get this done.  Turns out my mom just left for Mexico today and doesn't get back until Sunday and she really wants to be there.  Besides, I think next week might be easier with a baby inside of me.  Jason and I talked and decided that we'll just wait for things to happen naturally which we both think will happen soon.  If not by the end of next week though, I might seriously consider helping this baby along.

Joy School

We officially have Whitney registered for Kindergarten.  We are excited but probably a lot of you know what is it like having your first child go to school.  I think it will be great for her and kind of nice for me but I will miss that girl!  Her Joy School went on a field trip to the post office.  They were totally fascinated and acted like really well-behaved little tourists.  Whitney was the group leader which means everyone lined up behind her and she loved it.  

It has been so nice to have moms around me that do such a great job teaching my girl.  They care just as much or more than I do and really have done some great things for our little school over the year.  We have our graduation in two weeks.  It isn't going to be anything fancy but we hope the kids like it.

Easter Dresses

This is for my mom...  They really do love these dresses.  Thanks!

Dance!!!

The girls are both in little dance classes.  Haylee's class reads a story and dresses up like princesses and dances a little bit too.  Whitney's class is jazz, ballet, and hip hop.  They haven't done hip hop yet which I think will be super fun to see.  They both love dance and every Monday, we spend some time getting ready because they like to wear certain clothes and get their hair done and everything.   Here is where we were earlier in the day so we rushed home and got them all ready in about 15 minutes flat.

  Here they are all dolled up for the recital.  Haylee froze and began to cry which was really hard for an emotional pregnant mommy to watch.  I cried right along with her but luckily she was over it fast and looking at me like I was crazy for crying.  Whitney danced her heart out and was totally exhilarated by the experience.  I might not be cut out to be a dance mom.  All of the preparation and nerves for such a short performance.  I like sports where if you mess up then you can run hard and try again but if they love it, then I love it...

Here's Whit with her little soccer team.  There was a girl on her team that ran up and tried to kick the ball away from her and she grabbed her jersey and yanked her back.  So much for awesome sportsmanship...  She apologized and then the rest of the game, kept promising that girl that she would help her instead of going for the ball.  She's still learning.  She did score another goal though.

Spring Break!

So the girls went shopping with me and they found these cute hats to wear.  I think they look adorable.They are really getting so big.  I was trying to find a new necklace and they had all kinds of opinions...

 My awesome cousin, Rebecca, invited us up to Jungle Jims.  The kids had a great time together.  It was really fun to see my cousin again.  I think we forget how our cousins just get us.  Our dads are brothers and have a lot in common and we can see how that influenced us.  I wish I was better at taking advantage of us living close.  Before I know it, we'll be moving and I'll see her even less...

 Here is Whitney playing soccer.  She loves it.  She is super aggressive and a good sport.  I've been really proud of her.  I hope she keeps liking it cause it has been so fun for me to go and watch her and I want her to keep playing!

I'm super lame and didn't take pictures of the girls on Easter.  We did a video of their Easter egg hunt before church but that was it.  We had a great time dying eggs (which I actually did this year before Easter) and they got to go to three hunts.  I think we are almost done with the candy.  We got them the game Trouble.  I remember playing it at my friend, Kierstin's house growing up and they love it as much as I did.

This week has been Spring Break and it has been fun to be with the girls all week.  We did a lot outside and read together and took naps together.  We also got to visit my good friend, Jenna, at her new house up in Kamas.  Jason turned 30.  He spent his entire birthday studying (except a short lunch of pizza).  His parents came up the night before and took us to have Tepanyaki and the girls were mesmerized.  Jason also got to go to a movie that night which he loves to do.  I attempted to give him 30 presents.  I think we are sitting at about 22 right now but we have another day of fun planned for when finals are over for him and a trip to St. George the next weekend and I think we will make it to 30 when that is all through.

Now back to work... but not for long!

The Routine

I nap.  I nap almost every day.  That is my routine.  Rather pathetic I know but we almost always have something going on in the morning and it is just enough to wipe me out.  I get the nap in and I'm actually an OK mom the rest of the evening.  I don't get the nap and everything drives me nuts and then I feel lame for overreacting.

There was a while there when the nap wanted to happen at about 10 AM.  So, sleep while I teach Statistics or right when Whitney needed to be at school?  Luckily, I went to the doctor for one of my prenatal visits and through a routine blood test, they figured out that I'm slightly anemic which explained some of the exhaustion.  I don't mind if there is something wrong with me as long as there is a relatively simple solution like taking an iron supplement.

So as long as I sit down and put my feet up when the varicose veins start to hurt, grab a Tums when the heartburn kicks in, remember to take my vitamins, and nap, I am a pretty happy pregnant lady.  I made a paper chain tonight to count down...  It just happens that the last final at the high school is May 16th, graduation for preschool is the 17th (I'm in charge) and my official due date is the 18th so I'm really counting down to the end of my life as I know it.  If I really have my baby that week, the next week will be completely different for me.  Kind of exciting.  Kind of scary.

Last summer, when we were structure free, I got kind of depressed.  I think most of the time you can't really tell you are depressed until you aren't depressed anymore.  So, I am kind of anticipating a little struggle this summer and I am so thankful that my parents will be around at the beginning to help with it all.  Plus, Whitney is such a great helper.  She really is becoming my little pal.

Today, Haylee was extra cuddly and I loved just holding her.  For a while, Whitney was leaning on me too and I felt pretty lucky.  On Sunday, we were sitting out on our front porch and Haylee kept running and jumping in front of the people who were walking by and posing.

When we read scriptures at night, Whitney started this thing where she sings her verse into her little play microphone and now they want to keep reading so they can keep singing.  I also have them stand on a chair and pretend they are in Primary and I whisper their verse and they think it is so fun.

Thanks Angela for getting me to write another post.  Every time I sit down to do it, I don't have anything to write.  I still feel that way tonight so this is the best I could come up with.  I read all these other blogs and I am kind of amazed at how these women can write about normal things and make them interesting.  Way to go ladies.  Maybe I'll learn the art someday.  I try to at least not bore myself... hence the lack of posts...

Ready for Kindergarten?

Jason got this helicopter for Christmas.  The girls love when he plays with it except when he tried to land it on their heads.  Thanks mom and dad!

 These are Whitney's paintings.  We only have one set of watercolors so the girls have to trade off.  There are definitely some discernible shapes in there.

 These ones are Haylee's.  Abstract mostly...

 Haylee just crawls into the stroller and goes to sleep in the middle of the day.

 These are some pages that Whitney did during a joy school session.  I was impressed.  I was teaching them that in Kindergarten, their teacher will want them to write their names with an upper-case first letter and then lower-case letters for the rest and I had all the kids practice it cause they just use capital letters.  Whit caught right on.

 These are a few friends the girls had over to play.  Pretty little people!

 Here is Whitney's first time completing the Dora puzzle solo.  It has funky shapes so I usually help her, but not anymore.  She wanted this picture cause she was so proud of herself.

And that's all.  I need to get the camera out some more.  Feeling a little guilty.