Super Heroes

 

 

 

These are my Super Heroes. Maybe it is time that I make them real capes...

The Business of Being Born

If you are pregnant, going to be pregnant, know someone who is pregnant, know someone who is going to be pregnant, or just generally like babies (do you get the picture?), watch this movie.

I feel like I'm a pretty educated person when it comes to childbirth. I am pro-natural childbirth, not because it's some kooky thing to do but because I believe it is the very best way to bring a baby into this world. I am a large proponent of getting really educated on the birth process. I believe it is best to understand what is happening to your body, the babies body, the why's and the how's. If you are looking for a really comprehensive childbirth class, I can not stress enough how confident and comfortable with the process after taking Bradley Childbirth classes you will be. After our classes I was completely confident with my birthing abilities and my husband's ability to assist me. In fact I felt and still do feel, that if Ben had to deliver my baby with out the aid of a birthing professional I and the baby would be totally safe and fine.

The birth of my last baby was so empowering. It would be my dream that every woman would get to feel that high, that strength and that love. It was truly awesome.

My first two births were good experiences but they both pale in comparison to how great it was to birth my third baby in the comfort, quiet and love of my own home. After that experience I will never willingly go back to an OB/GYN to deliver any of my babies. After that experience I can't imagine giving birth any other way. My only regret is that I didn't make the decision to have a home birth for my first two babies.

So, if you would like to know more about why I think this is the best decision for a healthy pregnant woman, check out this DVD. If you have a Netflix subscription, you can watch it directly on your computer - it is in the Browse Instant section.

Watch it. Make your own decision.

Easter

 

Above: Easter eggs died using Onion skins and found greenery from my backyard.

Easter was wonderful. Noni and Papa (Ben's parents), Ben's brother Chris and his two sons, Owen and Sam, and Olea and Adam were all with us for Easter. We had a delicious dinner and a wonderful time. I love having a full house. That is truly happiness!

Who knows what Sacrament meeting was about because with our three boys we never get to listen much, but Relief Society was great. We had a fantastic lesson about overcoming anger. I really enjoyed it.

This is a subject that I have been thinking about lately. I recently have seen Ulysses showing some of the characteristics I exhibit when I am angry and it has kind of been a smack in the face. I need to re-evaluate my actions and what I want to teach my kids. I don't want to teach them bad habits.

So the lesson gave me some really good things to think about. I really am trying to focus on not letting myself get angry. Stay calm. Take a deep breath. Don't explode. Communicate. Don't cry! Some times I am better at it than other times.

So to tie it back to Easter... I am so thankful to my Savior, Jesus Christ. His love for us. His sacrifice for us. I am also so thankful for my Father in Heaven to love us enough to send my brother, Jesus to this earth. The magnificence of His Plan of Salvation is just amazing. We are so loved. He is truly our Father. Jesus is truly our Brother.

I can not teach my children the things necessary to return to Him with out help. Forgiveness is the key. I am filled with humility when I think about that. I can be forgiven for my sins. I have the opportunity to live eternally with my family. My partnership with my best friend does not ever have to end (this was also our 11th anniversary weekend). Our house full of family can stay full for eternity. But only if we choose to follow the teachings and principals of the Gospel.

I am deeply flawed. I am so thankful for the ability to ask and be granted forgiveness. I love the Easter reminder of this glorious key. I love Jesus Christ and I am thankful for His influence in my life.

*****

I didn't mean for this to be a testimony type of post. I was just laughing at myself because today is Fast & Testimony meeting. We didn't end up going to church - but apparently I bore my testimony anyway... Ben's gallbladder started hurting him badly this morning and Uly's nose is drippy so I decided to stay home and cook. I am fasting today. This is unusual for me. I don't usually fast. I like to think it is because I have been nursing or pregnant for the past 5+ years. That's really just an excuse. Whatever, so today I am fasting. We need some help with a decision, we need help with our health, we just generally need help. Who doesn't? I guess that's why I'm a bit more "churchy" than usual... I don't know.

Spring is nearly here!

 

 

Happy Spring wishes to you and yours.

The Last Snow

 

Ulysses is pushing a big pretend snow ball.

 

Action Shot!

 

Gar being Gar... I actually think this is mid kick but there is no ball in the picture.

We got some great beautiful big flakes a couple of days ago. It stuck around for probably about an hour and then melted away. Spring is coming!

Prognosis: Facture Proximal Humerus

Lesson learned... Don't skateboard in the kitchen.

Treatment... Arm in a sling for 3-6 weeks.

Yuck!

Cinematography Take II

 

 

 

 

A couple photos that Uly wanted to add.

Uly the Photographer

 

 

 

 

We went for a long walk today to the library. On our way home, Ulysses used my camera and took some shots of the things he saw and thought interesting. It is fun to look at the world from the eyes of a 4 year old. I think we'll do this again soon.

We have three pictures here from our walk and two from our home. And Thomas too.

 

He's a winker.

The Big Surprise

February 8th, 2008 I got a chance to fly up to Bellingham for the night. I was able to take Magnus and Ulysses while Gar got to stay home and have some good one on one time with Daddy. We were flown up there in Ben's companies private plane - a Pilatus PC-12 (if you want to see what one looks like click here.

Sariah picked me up at the Bellingham airport and then we drove out to my mom and dad's house. They were out working in the studio and so we sent Uly up to the door. He walked in and said, "Hi!" and completely SURPRISED them. It was awesome. They didn't know what to make of seeing Uly there in the doorway. My dad was looking at him shaking his head "no" and trying to get my mom's attention. My mom's first thought was (and get this...), "Oh, there's Cora in a Uly mask..." What??? That is just too funny. I can't stand it. It was great fun and a great surprise.

We were able to stay the night and then fly out the next afternoon at 4pm. Short but sweet.

Thanks, Dave McInnis!!! I've got to figure out some way to say thanks to him for letting us have the opportunity to fly up for a quick visit. Very cool, if you ask me.

Here is Randy, meeting Magnus for the first time. He wasn't able to make it to the reunion this past summer so he hadn't met him yet. I dressed him in his Carharts in Randy's honor.

Here's Grandad wearing the blue fuzzy hat and being silly with Uly. We had such a good time.

Right before we left, Uly was helping Randy and Grandad bring in new fencing material. The wind has been pretty bad on my parent's fences this year. They've had to replace large sections of them.

So, all in all, this was an awesome trip. Short but really fun.

Fish Update

Due to a comment I just received, I realized I have not updated the fish story.

All four died. They have been replaced.

Long version:
Three died the night after I posted about them. Ben and I walked into the kitchen and I saw two were floating. I scooped them out and then shortly a third rolled over and floated to the top. The last fish put up a good fight. He was around for a few more days then he also gave up, rolled over and floated to the top.

I took Uly to the store and we picked out four new fish. This time there were some $.10 feeder goldfish available so we got those. They should be more prone to a longer life. Carp are tough fish. They are also not tropical fish.

I guess I had a momentary lapse of reason thinking that tropical fish would survive. I mean, I live in Utah. It has been snowing daily for the past two weeks. Ding-Dong! You're not in San Diego anymore, Toto!!!

The boys handled the fish deaths really well. I told them that their fish would die one day and when that happened we'd get new ones.

Bleach Pen Experiment Take 1

Bleach Pen + TShirt = Happy Kid
I took a t-shirt and drew a design on it with one of those wonderful multi-purpose bleach pens.

Close up of the design. Really simple. I learned a few things about using the pen. It is prone to blobbing on first touch to the fabric.

Uly wearing the shirt. I left it on about 15 minutes. I wasn't really timing it. Then I popped it in the washer with a load of clothes that were in the process of washing.

I think this is going to become a favorite pastime of mine...

Tagged

Meghan threw out a large handful of tags and since I'm avoiding work... Here I go!

What is his name? Benjamin Michael Stier

How long have we been married? 11 years in March, 2008.

How old is he? 33

Who eats more? He does, but just barely. He also eats way faster than I.

Who said I love you first? I'm not really sure. It could have been either of us, but he'll probably remember.

Who is taller? Ben

Who sings better? I do. But he can sing punk rock way better.

Whose temper is worse? I'm sure mine is. I'm a total nut job. I loose it over every little thing. When he looses his temper it is very rare but more scary (same answer as Meghan).

Who is smarter? He probably is. He's really smart in strange ways. His brain works differently than mine.

Who mows the lawn? He does.

Who pays the bills? I do.

Who does the dishes? I do. He might help once in a while but I usually have to go along behind and clean up his cleaning mess. I am glad he tries though. It can sometimes really help me out.

Who cooks dinner? Regularly I do. However if he doesn't want to eat what I made then he will cook something else. Often I will be cooking something and he will come in and take it over. He is a good cook and really enjoys it.

Who drives when you are together? Ben always drives. My driving scares him. Ask me who has been in less accidents though...

Who is more stubborn? He is. He doesn't know it though. ;)

Who is the first to admit when they are wrong? I am. He never does. I'm going to get in trouble if he reads that...

Who has more friends? He does. I only have a few friends. He has a ton. However, I think I am more social in regards to meeting new people but he is much better at retaining friends.

Who wears the pants in the family? He does. I need to work on this. I often have to force myself to follow that.

I tag Melinda & Cutzi.

Ulysses and Magnus. January 30, 2008.
Uly and Gar are such great big brothers. They love their baby brother so much. They are always helping me with anything that needs to be done. They are always playing with him and making sure he is happy. It doesn't hurt that Mag is the Happiest Baby on Earth. He's such a great baby.

I am very blessed to have such wonderful, loving and caring children.

4 Years Old!!!

Yesterday, the 30th was Ulysses' 4th birthday. I am a little bit in shock that four wonderful years have gone by already. Time flies when you are having fun, that's for sure! We had a little birthday Frunch (Thanks for the new word, Kristina!) with a handful of kids, some hot dogs, cake and a little balloon tossing mixed up with some dancing. I and more importantly Uly, thought it was really fun. He had such a great time playing with friends.

I had a fun time telling him his birth story like my mom used to do for us. Each birthday we would sit on her bed and she would tell us the story of our birth. He was riveted. It was so cute.

This photo is also showing Uly's first pet(s). He received a little fish bowl and 4 little fish. They are called Rosey Barbs. They look a little like goldfish but they are tropical.

Ben is placing his bet on a life span of 4 weeks... Gar already tried to feed them cupcakes and an apple. I changed their water today because they were all up at the top trying to suck air. 4 Weeks may be optimistic.

I have been thinking that perhaps I should get a little tank that has an errator. That might help. We'll see...

This one is just cute. I laughed really hard when I saw Uly's face. I showed it to him and we laughed together. I love silly faces!

Today we made party hats. We took two circles and stapled/glued them together to make cones. Then we decorated them with all kinds of animal (and train) stickers. They turned out great and we all had such a fun time doing it.

Just a note that these two hat pictures are little miracles. I could not get them to be any kind of still so that I could get a picture that was somewhat in focus. Funny boys!!!

Another Scrapbook Page

Are you sick of this photo yet? I just love it. I finally made a general page about it. I have a file for each boy and one additional General file. All the pages in the General file will be duplicated so that each kid will have a copy. It included photos like these that include everyone.

I'm not sure if you can see it, but behind Boys Rule it says Stier. Perhaps I need to work on that to make it a bit more pronounced. I have so much to learn with this program!!! Oh well. I love it. Red Eye and all. :)

Ulysses says, "I love you."

Mag Says, "Good Morning!"

This is the happiest baby I've ever seen. He's pretty darn cute too, isn't he? Magnus is such a joy. I'm so thankful I get to be his mother.

Christmas Blessing

So we went to beautiful Palm Springs for Christmas. We had a fantastic time visiting with our family and eating great food. Food, Folks and Fun. That's how we roll. We're pretty rolly too so are very excited for this new year and our fitness and health goals.

We have a wonderful Christmas Eve tradition where we have a delicious dinner then we have a little program. Noni read the Nativity story from book of Luke. This is the first year where the kids are old enough to act out the story. We dressed them all up and and they acted out the story (as well as a handful of 3 year olds and one 5 year old can). Here is a picture of Magnus in the manger as Baby Jesus. Sam, Uly and Belen all put their hands on his head to give him a blessing. It was too funny!

I stole this picture off of Katie's blog. We were there for a whole week and we took zero photos. That's right... ZERO.

Busy Elves

My three little guys...

So today was busy and lots of fun. I worked for a couple of hours this morning. We had a company meeting where we discussed these personality tests we had to take. It was interesting. Kind of. I learned some things about myself and my family members.

After that, I piled the kids in the car and went to Ikea with a couple of friends and their kids. We put all the kids in Ikea's child play area and walked around for an hour with just the babies. Then we heard our names being called on the loud speakers telling us to come back to the play area. Upon walking back, we were taking bets on whose kid would be the problem child. It was mine. It was Gar. He had gone into the bathroom and taken off his pants and couldn't put them back on. The girls there legally can't help with that kind of thing so I was called to help him. Basically he was in the bathroom sans pants and was playing with the toilet paper. I came and helped him put his clothes back on and then he decided he didn't want to stay and play so he came with me. It was way past lunch and naptime anyway.

We went to the dining area and got some Swedish meatballs for a snack. When we were done eating it was time to pick up the older kids. So we got them and piled Uly, Jay Jay and Amelia (all 3 years old) in a shopping cart and went back out into the wilds of Ikea. We got some good shopping done and I was able to check some Christmas items off my mental list. When we were finally finished with Ikea we headed home, exhausted.

By this time it had started to snow so traffic was slow and I got home around 6:30. My babysitter was supposed to be there at 6:15 and I had missed her. So I went and got her and then left to go to my Mom's Night Out dinner at the best little Italian restaurant in Provo called Gloria's Little Italy. YUMMMMM!!!!! It was really fun and yummy.

Magnus Flipped Over

I'm documenting that Magnus flipped from his back to his tummy today for the first time. Around 10:30am...

He's getting so big!!!

This is an edit on 12/04/07. I was told that I'm not allowed to make posts without photos anymore... We'll see... Anyway, I got some really cute pictures of Mag playing and rolling over.

I also have proof that I threw my diet out the window in favor of Christmas Cheer. Cheer = Sanity on some days. Uly is a great help in the kitchen. Here he is helping me make our experiemental Sour Cream Sugar Cookies out of whole wheat flour (that was the experiment part). They turned out great and we had a lot of fun.

Is that irony? I was uploading the photos but it kept timing out. I'll upload them later. I'm trying to get some work done right now. Ciao! jgs

 

In honor of our first real snow and the stark contrast of Southern California (from which we moved one year ago this weekend) here is another scrapbook page. We woke up and there was about 8 or so inches being dumped on us. It was a blast.

Salty Cedar Surf

I finally got a version of Sariah's website online!!! I learned some things and have some things to change but all in all, it's not too bad. She likes it and that's the important thing. I'm not dissatisfied with it, but I do want to make a few minor changes. Ultimately, I need to get photos for the Manchitos, a new family photo of her and also put Paypal usability features on it.

Anyway... Check it out here!!! My first web design project.


www.saltycedarsurf.com

Helping in a Very Small Way,,,

When I was in High School, I was the president of my Amnesty International group for 3 years. I was really into it and felt like I was making a difference and helping fight for people who couldn't fight themselves. Kind of giving a voice to those who were mute or were not heard. In my Senior year, I went to an AI convention in Seattle or Olympia. I forget where, but that is not the important thing... We spent the day listening to speakers, hanging out with other like minded people and signing a million petitions.

Up until this point, I had not given much thought about AI's presence in the United States. All of the action items that I had been a part of were in foreign countries and in my blissful youth mind I was not aware of any injustices here on our own home front.

There was one petition that really made me think and ultimately ended with me parting ways with Amnesty International. That was a petition that was aimed at ending Capital Punishment here in the US of A. I couldn't sign that petition because I think the death penalty is a good thing.

My AI bubble had popped. I couldn't support and give money to a program that used it against something I believed in.

I finished out the year and handed over the mantle of presidency to an underclassmen and went out into the wide world.

Recently, I have discovered AI's website: www.amnestyinternational.com. They offer a way that I can choose the causes I am for and send emails to leaders and people of influence without contributing financially to AI as an organization. AI Action Center Home

I urge anyone who reads this to go to that link and also choose the causes that you are concerned with and support them by sending emails or letters to the people who can help. It's really easy to do and doesn't take much time.

Tonight I learned about another organization. www.one.org I am learning more about it and trying to figure out exactly what they are about. Their goal is to fight extreme poverty. I signed their petition but I'm still not sure what level of commitment I am willing to give to them yet. http://one.org/takeaction/

I will have to post more on that later when I know more.

Magnus Laughed

Magnus laughed today for the first time.

I was upstairs on my computer and I could hear Uly talking to Mag and playing with him. I heard some really good belly laughs from that boy. He's made almost laughing sounds in the past but this was the first full on laugh.

November 2, 2007 - Magnus' first laugh.

Also, today I took the boys up to Soldier Hollow lodge and stood in line to get a Christmas tree tag. We will be able to go into the National Forest and cut our own tree. How fun will that be??? Way fun, me thinks! I believe this is the beginning of a new family tradition.

Halloween - The Long, Hard Day

Preface... This is way long. It's just me venting so don't really feel like you need to read it. :)

So today was Halloween. It was busy!

I don't get it. I feel like I am the busiest I have ever been in my entire life. I am getting nothing complete and just running around in circles trying to juggle my babies, my home, my husband and my job. On days when I do manage to work for a couple of hours, my house falls apart. My kids are in various states of undress and I am lucky if I get out of my pajamas and take a shower. It's so embarrassing if someone happens to stop by. They must think I'm the worst mom ever. On days when I don't do any work other then check my email a few times, I am running around like a chicken with its head cut off. My house is still a disaster and filthy.

Today for example... We all got up and exercised for a while. I did one of my DVDs. Uly and Gar were very fascinated with it for some reason today. They kept trying to run around me. It's hard to do strange aerobic movements in my teensy living room while trying not to kick one of my kids and also trying to make sure they don't get oatmeal on the couch. Why do I bother? The couch can't stay clean for more then a week. It's disgusting. Thank goodness for washable micro-fiber. Tangent...

Back to today... After exercising, I fed Magnus for about 15 minutes then took a shower and got dressed. Then we decided to carve our pumpkin. I did a good job of carving a cute little ghost. Then I had to use up that banana squash in the fridge before it started to mold so I made a curried stew out of it. I loved it but of course my boys wouldn't eat it. At this time it's way past nap time and we have to get our costumes on and go to the store to get more candy. I have this sneaky suspicion that our neighborhood will be a madhouse. It was. We go to the store and get a few things and some candy. Uly and Gar are having all sorts of fits about this and about that. Uly throws a gigantic fit because I made us leave the store instead of letting him buy a sticker from those stupid machines they put by the door. Apparently he brought money just for that purpose. I didn't know that. We had a discussion about the kinds of things we spend our money on and about the value of products. I'm sure it didn't make a dent.

Then we get home, I heat up two corn dogs and as we're eating we're getting accosted by trick or treaters. Every 10 seconds the door bell is ringing. It's hard to get kids ready to go out when they're so excited by the kids at the door.

We go trick or treating, leaving a note on the door telling our neighbors that we're not home and will be back later. Did I mention that Ben's out of town all week? Boston Monday through Wednesday and Wednesday to Friday in Vegas...

We go trick or treating. There are various melt downs through out our journey around the neighborhood.

I didn't even mention the poop incident... Or the fact that I can't take any photographs of my kids. Ben took my camera with him. He left his cool camera that is more advanced then I can handle. It's all set up to take shots in the day time. I tried to take some shots of the cute pumpkin and of the kids but they just turned out way dark. I don't know how to change that. He didn't answer either of his phones to answer my question about it.

The highlight of the evening was after I put Gar to bed and Uly was handing out the candy to the kids. He did such a good job. He's so friendly and wants to be everyone's friend. He's such a sweetie. He's very generous too. He doesn't get a lot of opportunities to hang out with kids and it breaks my heart to see him out there having so much fun with kids. It makes me sad because of how much he enjoys it and how little exposure to kids he actually gets. I need to find more time in my day so that he can have more chances to be with more kids.

It just depresses me. It's 1:13am. It's not Halloween anymore. I hate going to bed. I think I'm getting a sore throat. Great. My most hated ailment.

This is WAY long. I guess I'm bummed out and needed to type it all down. oh well. No one has to read it. If you do, maybe you'll tell me some advice. Some way to not be a total disaster mom and some way to keep on top of it all. I don't know what it is...

I'm really looking forward to tomorrow night. I got a babysitter for Uly and Gar. I'm going over to a girlfriend's house to work on some sewing/art/craft project. I'm not sure what I'm going to work on. I really need to make some slacks and a shirt to wear in Denver next month.

I wish I wasn't so damn fat!!! I hate this. Don't give me any crap about embracing my curviness. That's just stupid. I'm fat. I'm sick of it. I'm depressed. I eat crap when I'm depressed. It's this really frustrating vicious cycle. I want a magic cure. I want to be like I used to be. I guess I just have to want it bad enough so I'll make it happen.

Aaaaaghhhhhhhhhhhhhhh!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

That's me. My book. The first day of November 2007. That means it is only 36 days until I turn 32. That just makes me want to cry. I hate birthdays. I hate them so much. Plus I look in the mirror and not only am I fat, but I'm getting wrinkles. I don't like how the skin around my eyes are starting to look.

I have to just shut up now. I'm typing and typing and typing. I like to think that if Ben was home I'd just talk to him about all this but I wouldn't. He's too busy. I'm too busy. Life goes on. Things that are so important this minute aren't really.

Oh one more thing... I decided to start teaching Uly how to play the violin. I found a vendor on eBay that will sell his size violin for $45 including shipping. I think that's a great deal. I am going to get him one, one of these days. I hope I will have the patience for that.

Yeah, that's another thing. What happened to all my patience? Or however you spell that stupid word. I used to be way more patient with my kids. Lately I'm having a hard time with that. One more thing to be down on myself about... great.

Motherhood is awesome. It's the best thing ever. I am so glad and thankful for my babies. But some days it is all I can do to pretend I'm still sane.