V for VanWagenen

Loving fall and my babies

2011-09-23T06:31:00.000-07:00

Lower Calf Creek Falls

2011-09-01T11:25:00.000-07:00

loving...

2011-07-08T21:40:00.000-07:00

Lex & Karissa's new baby Asher!

A blue door (with Mexican house number tiles). I just couldn't stand the white anymore.

A longtime overdue project: hanging plants in this wall opening.

Wildflowers on the kitchen counter

Beautiful wildflowers growing in the front garden.

Family hikes

My sweet babesters.

last month

2011-02-05T08:36:00.000-08:00

A typical happy Thomas.

There have been lots of these drawings around here lately- a mom growing a baby in her belly. I guess that's what happens when your family prayers are full of blessings for moms and their growing babies.

Astrid riding the Bandersnatch.

Thomas had his face drawn on by Astrid and I thought it actually looked kind of cute.

Astrid's 3rd Birthday

2011-01-13T14:25:00.000-08:00

Before: an old DI cabinet

After: a play kitchen for Astrid that I've been wanting to make for at least a year.

Despite the bitter cold, it's not a Mexican birthday party without a pinata.

Beautiful cake, I know. But at least it tasted good.

I was raised with the following birthday party theory for kids:
small house, lots of kids and parents running amok, lots of games, lots of food, lots of noise, lots of mess, lots of chaos.

Now that we have our own home, we were able to accomplish just that, and while it may have seemed overwhelming to our guests, it felt just as it should to me. It was so nice to see so many of our good friends and family all in one place, celebrating our baby girl's third birthday. It was quite wonderful.

I can't believe just how quickly she has reached the ripe age of three. My post-partum depression is just now setting in...

Christmas in Colorado

2011-01-13T14:01:00.000-08:00

A very late wedding gift.

This year we spent Christmas in Colorado Springs. Also visiting were family and friends from California and Guadalajara. It was very nice and I learned how to make some delicious Mexican dishes, including a hot and tasty salsa.

Christmas in Colorado: Colorado Springs Climbing Gym

2011-01-13T11:39:00.000-08:00

My brother, Lex, just became a part-owner of the oldest climbing gym in the West. So, after opening gifts on Christmas morning, we hit it up. It was so much fun, mostly because it was free and there were plenty of people to belay me (I don't prefer bouldering).

New Years: Bear Lake and Beaver Mountain

2011-01-13T08:34:00.000-08:00

Astrid finished her skiing experience with a little swinging fun...

"The Magic Carpet" was awesome. It took Astrid and Dad to the top of the bunny slope.

Chilling after a run

Astrid had a wonderful first experience skiing. All we were shooting for was a positive first experience, and it was. The guys at the rental gear shop were calling Astrid by name and showing her all of their pink and purple options in boots and skis. Needless to say, that was a great way to get her excited to hit the slopes: "I'm going to ski and I'm not going to fall, ever!", she declared to everyone in the shop.

Once on the hill, a seasoned dad taught us to "recharge" her before every run with gummies, and the Magic Carpet conveyor belt was a nice, and non-scary (unlike the lifts) respite between runs.

Now Astrid pretends to be skiing at home. Obviously Arthur is stoked and can't wait to continue to take her up the mountains for some more skiing fun.

patagoniacs

2010-08-28T17:30:00.001-07:00

This is what happens when there's a Patagonia outlet in your city.

camping

2010-08-16T16:25:00.000-07:00

We lucked out this past weekend and got a site at the Spruces campground up Big Cottonwood Canyon. Although we got there late, it was super fun and Astrid loved every minute of it. Thomas only woke up once and fell asleep nursing. Next weekend: more camping fun with cousins and VW grandparents.

Astrid too wound up to go to sleep...

In the morning we found a little squirrel dying in the middle of the road (it hadn't been run over; we're not sure why it was dying), so we moved it to the side and Astrid hung out with it a bit and gave it pinecones.

Thomas checking out the morning sun

two months

2010-08-08T07:34:00.000-07:00

So the viscious cycle of having a baby and losing them one fast month at a time has started once again. Boo. Thomas has grown out of all his newborn and 0-3 mos. clothes and all his size 3 month clothes fit him snuggly. Double boo.
On the bright side, he slept from 9:30-5 last night. I don't think Astrid slept that many consecutive hours until he was born.

i love his double chin

love utah

2010-07-27T10:23:00.000-07:00

This last weekend we went up Little Cottonwood Canyon to do a family friendly short hike to Cecret Lake. The wildflowers were amazing. There are few things that are as beautiful as mountainsides covered in wildflowers to me. And, experiencing it with your family, makes it just perfect.

My dream house.

Devil's Castle

people who love him

2010-07-20T21:41:00.000-07:00

I need to get some more pictures with Arthur's family...

sister and brother

2010-07-20T21:32:00.001-07:00

Day 1
Day 2

Last week

Everytime Astrid asks if she can hold Thomas, she also asks me to take a picture. I love it.

six weeks has flown by

2010-07-20T21:18:00.001-07:00

I just love this pouty lip he makes when he's telling you he's about to lose it.

In the bed Astrid made him.

Thomas Miguel VanWagenen

2010-06-14T09:17:00.000-07:00

June 8, 2010

7 lbs 13 oz, 21 in

this was long overdue

2010-05-12T15:22:00.001-07:00

The last time Arthur had a serious injury he was 8 years old and he broke his leg skiing. 26 years later, again while skiing, he broke his thumb. He'll have to have surgery and get a pin in his hand. My poor boy.

for mother's day

2010-05-12T15:14:00.000-07:00

For Mother's Day we spent a perfect spring morning planting our raspberry and tomato plants.

Astrid likes the idea of earthworms in books, just not in real life.

Astrid giving her raspberry plant a hug.

for my college friends:

2010-04-27T19:17:00.000-07:00

Hey you guys. Don't know if you have this recipe or not (I will be so sad if one of you has had it this whole time)...but I've been dying to have it since the first time I ate at Magelby's Fresh. I looked furiously for a close enough recipe after recently gorging on unlimited french toast at our old place.
This is what I found:

Buttermilk Syrup
1 C buttermilk
1 stick butter
1 C sugar
1/2 tsp baking soda
1 tsp vanilla

Boil the buttermilk, butter and sugar. Whisk in baking soda and vanilla. Serve over warm french toast, pancakes or waffles. Add strawberries and whip cream for the real deal.

Whole Wheat Pancakes
1 1/2 C flour
3 tbs sugar
1 1/2 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp salt

1 1/2 C milk
3 tbs butter, melted
2 eggs

Mix them all together and add some ground flax for extra goodness.

This is what I plan on helping me gain my last few pounds...

Cinderelly, Cinderelly

2010-04-25T16:53:00.000-07:00

There's no way Astrid was going to sit.

Astrid patiently waiting to get her face painted. She informed Cinderelly that she was next in line, to which Cinderella casually replied "ok", but Astrid held her to it and wedged herself in front and said "my turn" after this little girl.

(outfit chosen by Astrid)

Astrid was either lingering around Cinderella or asking her to carry her.

Goodbye hug

Yum. Mac and cheese

Yesterday we went to a friend's 3rd birthday party. I don't know how a two year old can love princesses so much without even owning a "real" princess dress, movie, wand or tiara, but she does. Astrid is in full princess mode.

our entertainment

2010-04-25T16:29:00.000-07:00

You Are My Sunshine

Do Re Mi

Between drawing all over herself, slathering lotion all over her babies and changing her dress for the tenth time that day, you will find Astrid doing this. She always has a song and dance in her heart.

About time

2010-04-21T11:40:00.000-07:00

Snuggle time with Dad

33 weeks and growing...

After playing outside

Got out of shower to find this:"Soy una bruja" ("I'm a witch"), she said.

We've had a lot going on the last few months:

-packing and moving

-family babies

-family weddings

-doing lots of house rennovations

-work changes for Arthur

-not to mention growing a baby and taking care of a 2 year old

and while I could have found some time to post, I just didn't have the motivation.

We're 33 weeks along now, due June 12, but we think Thomas (Arthur's middle name) will come a little closer to Arthur's birthday (the 5th). I have so many mixed feelings about his arrival (will the house be ready, how will I adjust to two kids, how will Astrid adjust) but I know that once he's here my worries and concerns will dissipate and I'll just love having a little baby around. (I was quite nervous prior to Astrid's birth, too, and now I can't imagine life without her.)

In December we became homeowners but didn't actually move in until March. Everything about it so far has been hard... from being landlords for two months, to not receiving our IRS money yet to do the big projects our house needs. It's been a little slowgoing, but we're doing it and there's no turing back for 3-4 years (that's how long we say we'll be here.) It's a good little house (rented and abused for the last 4 years--8 tenants in the last 4 years, all forcibly removed by the cops, except the ones we kicked out) in a humble neighborhood in a humble ward (think a ward you would visit in Southern Utah while camping). It's so different from where we were but like Arthur and I have discussed, it is what we make it, though that's a lot easier said than done. I do have to say it's been so nice to have a yard for Astrid to play and explore in. She could play in dirt and flowers searching for ants all day if I let her. Little house projects (think orange, green and purple rooms) are making this house look more and more like our (my) home. Astrid and Thomas' room is coming along nicely and I can't help but think of cute it will be when they're playing in there together.

All in all, life is so good. Though there have been a lot of big changes, there's nothing better than going through it with the people you love most.

Happy Christmas Eve

2009-12-24T08:59:00.000-08:00

2 years

2009-12-15T13:33:00.000-08:00

Our sweet girl turned 2 today. Just when I want life to start slowing down so that I don't forget a single day, time starts moving at lightening speed. Our little girl is growing up too fast and though it's so fun to see what she's becoming, I wish it were happening slower, much slower. She is the best thing that has happened to us and has been such a blessing for our family. Happy birthday, mama girl.

pregnancy will interrupt blogging

2009-12-11T14:28:00.000-08:00

Acapulco beach
The water was like bath water.

Manitu.Plus special guest.

Sunset view from hotel.

Estadio Azteca.

Family shot before the boys' show.

Teotihuacan standing in front of the Temple of the Sun.
The steep climb up the Temple of the Sun.

Atop Temple of the Sun with view of the Temple of the Moon.

Ruins from Templo Mayor in the middle of downtown Mexico City.

Walking through tunnels in the ruins.

Indians at Teotihuacan.

Lex's birthday dinner.

Our poor tired baby.

For those of you who couldn't understand Astrid's broken up Spanish in our last post, we're pregnant. We're 14 weeks now, so I'm starting to feel much better although I still hate everything I eat after I eat it.

The fall pre-pregnancy was fun. I got into canning (fresh peach jam in the cold winter is so great on warm toast) and made Astrid's Halloween costume, a ladybug. Then I sort of checked out until our Thanksgiving trip to Mexico City with my family. The boys have been living there for almost a year now and I've just been dying to see their apartment and mostly how they live. We did a lot of tourist-y things, like Templo Mayor (ruins in the middle of downtown Mexico City) and Teotihuacan but we also got to go to Acapulco with the boys to one of their radio shows and if you look really hard in the pictures you'll see their guest back up guitarist.

To follow are videos from our trip, including two of the songs the boys performed.

astrid les quiere decir algo

2009-10-04T08:20:00.000-07:00

lake powell

2009-09-24T13:16:00.001-07:00

hated the lifevest

gorilla sand structure by damian with jack in the background

astrid just loved playing on the beach

water zombie- the kids loved him

brains, glorious brains, wonderful brains

(last two pictures taken by damian dayton)

This was my first time to Lake Powell. It was beautiful. The scenery, breathtaking- sort of made you want to turn off the tunes and listen to what Nature has to share with you.

I've never seen as many stars or bats in my life as I did in those two nights.

It was such a nice time.

a great birthday

2009-09-14T18:26:00.000-07:00

Arthur and Astrid got me this awesome tent for my birthday. We decided to go camping over Labor Day weekend but all of the designated camping spots up Little Cottonwood Canyon were taken. Arthur's back up was a little meadow about a mile (1/2 hour hike) from Albion Basin.

As we were settling down for the night we heard what we thought was a dog barking, but then realized that it just couldn't be. All night we thought it was wolves and it made for a sleepless night for me (better me than Astrid).

But, we did wake up to this view, which didn't last very long. Two minutes after this picture was taken, it started to POUR. We waited about half an hour in the tent and then made a break for the car when the rain let up a bit.

We later found out that the wolf/dog noises we heard were actually a pack of coyotes that hang out in this meadow.

meeting papa for lunch

2009-09-14T18:18:00.000-07:00

Hanging out at Gallivan

I've been wanting to make a family picnic quilt for a really long time and finally got around to it. Though not perfect, I'm really excited about it.

7 canyons fountain at liberty park

2009-09-14T17:53:00.000-07:00

This has been one of our favorite things to do this summer. It's a mini replica of the seven canyons and the rivers flowing out of them. It's free, it's fun and Astrid can play in the shallow waters to her heart's content.

millcreek canyon

2009-08-25T14:33:00.000-07:00

babe

2009-08-25T13:50:00.000-07:00

t-rex

2009-08-25T13:32:00.000-07:00

Oregon was fun

2009-08-25T11:26:00.000-07:00

On our way to Powell's Bookstore, the biggest bookstore in the world.

Even though there were no trees turning fall colors, Astrid found a lucky red leaf in the street. She was very proud of it.

Hanging out with Marissa, Lauren (Marissa's sister), Smee and Marissa's Cousin (?)

Our poor girl cried the whole time we were in the temple for the sealing.Waiting for Drew and MarissaThe happy coupleAll the girls :)Astrid was very into leaf collecting this trip.

We had the opportunity to stay at a great beach house on the Oregon coast. The beach was just a walk away and we loved it.

california

2009-07-31T14:19:00.001-07:00

This is what Astrid does when you ask her to see her big teeth and smile.

Sand pit made by uncle Hugh, cousin Auden and Papa

Playing with Auden

Loved Zoe

Just love this picture of Astrid off in her own world.

Cute picture of Hugh, Ruby and Meg

This was the best family portrait taken with our camera.

Ruby and Astrid with Aunt Sarah and cousin Auden

wildflower festival

2009-07-17T21:01:00.000-07:00

shooting star

playing with pebbles

on the boardwalk

monk's hood

listening to our guide

indian paintbrush

following the group

elephant's head

astrid + manitu = she's their #1 fan

2009-07-04T13:42:00.000-07:00

solo sueno que digas que si, solo quiero que digas que si...

2009-07-03T20:32:00.000-07:00

chihuahua

2009-07-01T19:29:00.000-07:00

nuestra caminata

2009-06-30T21:14:00.000-07:00

en su barco

2009-06-30T14:32:00.000-07:00

in colorado

2009-06-24T13:21:00.001-07:00

astrid's first camping trip slightly disastrous

2009-06-24T12:58:00.000-07:00

Marilee and Sterling's ward had a camp out a couple of weekends ago and we thought it would be the perfect camping test run for Astrid(for some reason we haven't had a chance to take her until now). She had a great evening with her cousins but the night was just not her piece of cake. Once she finally fell asleep at 11pm, she was up every 20 minutes screaming to get out of the tent. She would push the sides and motion that she wanted to get out (claustrophobic?). At 2am Arthur suggested we go home, to which I agreed, since it felt like the night was lasting forever. As soon as I got out of the tent with Astrid and sat by the fire pit, she was out.
Looks like we need to experiment in the yard a bit more or get a bigger tent.

on their way to becoming a household name...

2009-06-10T11:14:00.001-07:00

our little garden

2009-06-10T10:55:00.000-07:00

We've loved having a garden this summer again because Astrid has actually been able to enjoy it.

There's nothing better than tiny dirt-filled Crocs.

It's been a bit of a challenge to teach her not to tear the leaves off of the plants (she can't quite grasp photosynthesis). When she would tear a leaf, I would cry, pretending to be the plant and would tell her that it was an "owie" for the plant. Now she tears the leaf and cries for the plant and gives it a hug. It's actually kind of cute.

3 years of love and 33 of life

2009-06-04T15:28:00.000-07:00

Yesterday Arthur and I celebrated our anniversary. It was perfect. We got some Dodo and walked across the street to the park and had a picnic. Afterwards we went down to the pond and fed the ducks with Astrid. The weather was perfect and I could have stayed all evening. I love being with my family.

Tomorrow is Arthur's birthday...Siegfried's and a movie of Arthur's choice. I can't wait!

Lex is married...for real

2009-06-01T17:10:00.001-07:00

Our family (minus Daddy, who was in the Dominican Republic)

Luke and Marcos with Karissa

Karissa and I

While Astrid and I were visiting the family in Colorado, Lex announced that he and Karissa were getting married...the next day. It was a big shock to everyone but the two seemed very sure of what they were doing. On Monday, May 18th they tied the knot. We went to a nice restaurant downtown for dinner and had a nice and very small service at the church (Karissa has only been a member for 5 months). Their plans are to visit eachother as frequently as possible (since Lex will be touring all summer) and to get sealed in the Mesa Arizona temple next year.

Congratulations Lex and Karissa!

Colorado

2009-06-01T07:13:00.000-07:00

Nana had so much fun having Astrid around.

Astrid having a little fun with the sugar.

Astrid loved playing with Jack and Jake.

En el barquito que le compro Grammie.

Dandole huggies a Nana

Astrid found a way to get outside.

Con su Tio Cuca

We like to get out

2009-05-11T11:25:00.000-07:00

Astrid has finally gotten some more teeth!
Beautiful Utah. Got to love this state.

Astrid wishing she could be in the pond with the ducks and geese.

Astrid trying to find some middle ground betweeen me not letting her go in the water and her wanting to swim.

This is what she does when she sees kids. She is such a friendly person by nature and is always saying hi and bye to people. As it turns out most people are less friendly than her. Lame.

Sugarhouse Park has become a weekly outdoor activity for Astrid and I. She knows exactly what we're going to do when I tell her we're going to feed the patos and hand her a bag of old bread. As we get close to the park she starts to ask, "Patos? Patos?" It is so cute.

Our garden is finally up and running thanks to our great neighbor who decided we should do it together this summer and did all of the hard work of getting manure and tilling it. Planting a garden may quite simply be one of the most satisfying things you can do. I can't wait for Astrid to be able to pick fresh tomatoes, squash and peppers.

More Wheeler Farm--this time with Smee and Maggie.

Astrid, Kristina, BooBoo, Smee, Maggie and Katie

I think these girls are going to be best buds, along with cousin BooBoo.

Swing: new toy. I swing her in the morning and her Papa swings her when he gets home from work. She loves it.

Our favorite meal and snack: quesadilla with avocado.

Luke, thanks for letting us use that old climbing rope. It was very handy :)

This is where you can find Astrid if she's not at her drawing table. She usually wakes up before Arthur and I decide to get out of bed and we love to listen to her reading away--"nino, troca, popa (mariposa), luna, arbol, pajaro..."

I can't believe how little she used to be in this stroller.

taylor onesie

2009-04-30T19:48:00.000-07:00

Boys, here she is weaing the cute onesie you got her. She's pointing at the guitarra.

Thank you for thinking of her. She looks adorable in it :)

earth day

2009-04-29T13:39:00.001-07:00

Our Earth Day activity was a bit of a bust this year. The hike we wanted to do up to Donut Falls was still closed, we got sunblock in Astrid's eyes and our allergies were the worst. But, it was nice to drive up the canyon and hang out with Meg and BooBoo for a little while :)

the zoo

2009-04-29T13:37:00.000-07:00

Astrid seemed less interested in the animals and more interested in icecream, the raging river and running amok.

More faves (Astrid's)

2009-04-29T13:26:00.000-07:00

DRAWING

Being with Papa.

Sitting in Papa's lap and making a mess of his breakfast/dinner.

Peaceful sleeping.

Peaceful waking.

Playing with the camera.

Sticking her tongue out.

Her puppy.

Easter

2009-04-29T12:57:00.000-07:00

Egging Arthur

Nain getting Kristina.

Smee cracking an egg on Astrid's head.
Gwen, Astrid and Smee

This is what she really wanted to be doing.

My little easter egg hunter .

Egg hunters.

We had a very nice Easter. Church, a great dinner with Christopherson's and Easter eggs Mexi-style. Making them brought back so many childhood memories of making them in the cuartito.

wheeler farm

2009-04-29T12:45:00.001-07:00

Sorry it's sideways, but just to show how tuckered out she was when we got in the car.

Los pollitos.

This is how much she loves ducks. She wanted to be in the water so bad. (She's actually tried getting into the water at a park so that she could feed the ducks. She's pretty fearless when she wants something).

Wheeler Farm is our local, free farm. We love it and have been going once a week. The first time Astrid was a little reticent, but she loves it more and more every time we go. The cows scared her the most- I don't think she thought they would be as loud as they are.

Her favorite animals are birds, or paos (pajaros) and papos (patos). She could watch birds and chase ducks forever.

these are a few of my favorite things

2009-04-28T11:56:00.000-07:00

Astrid loves to play this game where she gets really close to the spoon, as if she's going to eat the food, and then turns away and runs as fast as she can. She does this for other things too. It's super funny and what's cutest is that she made it up herself. Somehow she knew that this was a pretty great trick.

Helping Mama cook. I tend to always let her because she is so genuinely interested in what I'm doing and I see it as the perfect teaching opportunity.

Being silly.

This is one of Astrid's favorite things to do. She could draw for hours if I let her. Her legs, hands and especially clothes are always drawn on.

More favorites to come.

Clean Air Rally: Success

2009-02-25T17:41:00.000-08:00

Photo by Tim Wagner

This afternoon Meg, Ruby, Astrid and I went to the capitol to rally for clean air for Utah (Arthur took a run during his lunch break and met us up there). It was pretty packed and a fun experience.

"Just laugh, babe."

2009-02-20T11:56:00.000-08:00

These were the words he {Arthur} spoke when I finally woke up and called him at 4:30 in the morning.
Arthur and I share a car. It's a little inconvenient sometimes, but we feel like we're doing our part to reduce carbon emissions and we get to spend more travelling time together (plus we're poor). All this sharing of one car had really been working out nicely until a couple of weeks ago.
The day of the worst day of my life, started like any other day we keep the car. We took Arthur to work in the morning and ran our errands during the day. Arthur was going to be working super late (maybe 1am) but said that he would ride TRAX home and we could pick him up there. We'd never had to pick him up that late, but when we'd gone at 10pm, it was rather easy to pack up sleeping Astrid and pick him up. So I figured it would be no big deal.
Astrid and I go to bed and I swear, I had the phone on vibrate (which usually wakes me up). At 4:30 a.m. I jolt out of bed and obviously freak out. I look at my phone...10 missed calls (plus voicemails). You've got to be kidding me. I call Arthur and he is walking down State Street--he's made it to 2100 South from downtown and he's waiting for a cab. And instead of saying anything mean to me as I sob and tell him I can never forgive myself, he tells me to laugh.
This story defines him very well, and especially the kind of husband he is. Could I be any luckier?

Sick right now

2009-02-15T14:06:00.000-08:00

These pictures are before our poor girl got sick. It makes me happy to look at these (and a little sad as I see her try and be as happy as she is in these).

She's been sick for a week and today is the first day that I've seen any real improvement.

got used to not blogging

2009-01-13T13:16:00.000-08:00

LEX IS HOME!!

We don't have a sled, so I pulled Astrid around in a laundry basket.

She loved it.

She is becoming so maternal...

We pierced Astrid's ears...finally she is a Mexi-can.
Arthur made us this dry erase board table for Christmas (we still have to paint it). Maybe now we can confine Astrid's wandering hand...

Happy 1st Birthday Astrid!

2008-12-15T10:58:00.001-08:00

Today at 2:58 p.m. Astrid will be 1 year old!!!
I can't believe how quickly this last year has passed. It really is no fun (fine, it has been a ton of fun) to have your baby grow up so quickly.

Speaking of new babies, my sister my brother and sister in law had their baby on the 10th, Ruby Elizabeth VanWagenen:

On a final note, Lex, gets home from his mission tomorrow. In fact, he has a layover at the Salt Lake airport. Astrid and I are going to surprise him there and then fly to Colorado Springs with him. I'm giddy excited!

California Thanksgiving

2008-12-03T13:08:00.000-08:00

For Thanksgiving we (Drew, Marisa, Arthur, Astrid and I) decided to go to Pasadena to spend it with our fun sister, Sarah. We had a yummy restaurant Thanksgiving dinner and lots of good Trader Joes in between. Astrid got to see her California cousins (not nearly long enough) who she has only met a handful of times in her life.

Lamely, we didn't take any pictures except for our day trip to Ventura to visit the Florences. Astrid had almost as much fun on the beach as she did at the hot springs, if not more. Every time we picked her up to go inside (after more than hour of crawling and playing) she screamed and tried to squirm out of our arms. Nothing makes me happier than seeing my baby own a beach or hot pot.

(notice the blurry lens from the hotsprings...I finally cleaned it a few pictures in)

I love this picture.

Diamond Fork Hot Springs

2008-11-24T11:06:00.000-08:00

Arthur had been wanting to go to the hotsprings for forever, so on Friday we decided that Saturday would be the perfect weather for hotspring going. Arthur's parents and our friends, the Milnes, came up with us too.

We drove up Spanish Fork Canyon and had a fun 50 minute hike up to where the hot springs are located. This was by far one of the most fun things we've done with Astrid. She LOVED the hot springs. She literally played for about an hour in the water without so much as a whimper. We should have known as much, since she really has a love for water.

Can't wait to do it again.

Don't want to forget her post nap rosy face

2008-11-22T08:09:00.000-08:00

I LOVE Astrid's face after she's taken a nap. It's just so warm, rosy and soft.

This is what she does all day.
She figured out how to draw on the white board...bad news for the walls.

Today we're going to Diamond Fork Hot Springs! Got to go pack!

P.S. Is anyone else listening to Christmas songs yet? I just put the radio on Christmas songs all day. It's actually kind of fun and Astrid likes the songs.

prop 8

2008-11-16T20:41:00.000-08:00

Now that Mormon ward houses are being vandalized and prop 8 has passed in California (with similar measures passing in Fla and Az), Arthur feels like it might be worthwhile to clarify that he thinks the Mormon's got this one wrong and that gay people that want to be married by the state should be able to do just that.

At his brother's suggestion, Arthur read the official Church explaination of why it supported prop 8 and asked its members to "do all they can" to support the measure. None of the reasons seemed very compelling to him.

First, the Church claims that they have the right to participate in the democratic process and takes great lengths to espouse the virtues of democracy. Fine...but this approach seems entirely misdirected considering that Mormons believe in the theocratic rule of Christ himself and that he will return to earth to reign and govern all humanity. We will not be voting for him. The democratic process is a temporal solution for bad rulers and though arguable the best system of governance that we can come up with, it is hardly a reason for the Church to step away from its standard position on voting and democracy. If the Church had said, "Democracy is good...go vote"and left it at that, we Mormons might not be percieved as instigators of divisiveness and prejudice.

The appeal to the right to participate in the democratic process "when it comes to moral issues" also begs the question: Why does the Church not direct its members to vote for candidates that will end the war in Iraq? Or that will fight to alleviate poverty? Or that will preserve ANWR and other unprotected wilderness? Each a threat to family stability and each a moral issue. Though others do and will disagree, Arthur thinks we Mormons got this one wrong (it would not be the first time) and is pretty sad to see the negative fallout on both sides.

The Church also claims that allowing gay people to be included in the definition of marriage threatens the separation of Church and State, a long held principle of our consititution. They cite examples of pro-gay groups instigating lawsuites against church run universities and other religious institutions for violating Equal Protection rights of religious gay people who want to participate in the religious life. First, those lawsuits are only applicable to religious institutions that recieve federal funding, and if they really want the freedom to worship "how, who, or what they may" as provided for under the Bill of Rights (and Mormon Articles of Faith), all they have to do is lose the federal funding. As freedom of religion is so fundamental to the fabric of our country and its founding, I find it hard to believe that our right to continue to worship the way we do will be jeopardized or threatened in any significant way because of how THE STATE decides to define marriage. Contrary to the Church's argument, allowing gay people to be included in the definition of marriage is the ultimate separation of church and state. Mormons believe marriage in the temple is for eternity and is the only form of marriage that continues beyond mortality and thus that has any eternal value and purpose. Why should we worry about a temporal union sanctioned by a government of men? Especially if/when we believe that we are all children of God and as far as earthly governments go, are entitled to equal protection of earthly laws. The obsession with gay marriage seems to distract us from our goal of heaven and a celestial life and bogs us down in what Arthur percieves as decidedly political issue. We love our gay friends, don't feel they are a threat to our marriage, and hope for more love and understanding. Besides, as Captain Steve Zissou notes: "We are all part gay"

Favorite part of the day...

2008-11-05T12:18:00.000-08:00

...has been nursing Astrid to sleep and watching the snow fall outside our bedroom window.

This picture reminds me so much of last winter runs with my newborn...same brand of bunting, just 9 months bigger :(

It's been snowing non-stop today.

10 a.m. & 1 p.m.

Yes we can!

2008-11-05T07:30:00.000-08:00

Our first black president...awesome!

First Halloween: Leopard

2008-11-04T10:34:00.000-08:00

Trick or treating with mom and dad

Checking out her candy

Eating candy with the cousins

After the trunk or treat (Christophersons and Karims)

Getting tired of trick or treating
With cousin Gwen

Tagged by Missy

2008-10-28T19:38:00.000-07:00

Here are six random things about me.

1. I can't fall asleep unless my feet are touching Arthur's (and I don't like to wear socks at night)

2. I love to see happy, vibrant old people (especially when they're running)

3. I love the dollar store (once when I was there I saw a lady that I'd seen on Dateline...she'd been faking pregnancies and telling people that she was putting the baby up for adoption and then she'd swindle them for money and lose contact with them as the "due date" approached. It was pretty scary)

4. I wish there was a perfume scent of fall mountain weather and campfire.

5. I am totally paranoid, especially now that I have a baby, of robachicos (kidnappers)

6. I am terrible at dusting furniture

I tag Saskia, Erin, Jo, Robin, Laura T., Alisha, and Melissa C.

She loves it

2008-10-23T09:36:00.000-07:00

Katherine, Astrid looks so cute with her little backpack! Thanks so much for thinking of her while you were in Kenya.

First tooth, Halloween festivities begin & Milcreek Canyon

2008-10-20T15:00:00.000-07:00

I just love having a little family.

First snow, alumni game and award ceremony

2008-10-13T16:44:00.001-07:00

On Sunday we woke up to Salt Lake's first snow of the year. I was a little bummed but a walk to church in the snow with my two favorite people changed my mind pretty quick.

This past weekend the BYU mens team had their annual alumni game. We look forward to it as we don't get to see a lot of these friends very frequently. It was also fun because it was super cold, so we wore sweaters and drank 7-11 hot chocolate like in our old college days.

Last, but not least, the VanWagenen brothers were awarded with a jersey with their name on it and the number four, for the 4 brothers who have played on the team for the last 14 years.

Arthur's still got it in him...

Fall fun

2008-10-09T15:44:00.000-07:00

Astrid loves climbing up stairs.

We have these awesome squirrels in the tree right in front of our house. They love to chuck walnuts to the ground and Astrid has a hayday playing with them. She has her own little stash.

Astrid loves the noise the walnuts make when she clanks them together.

Today we made two beanies (just made adult ones smaller and with chin straps) for Astrid and played outside with walnuts and crawled around until we got cold. It's definitely fall and I love it, but not as much as I love experiencing it with my girl.

Next week we start our swim class. Astrid was too young when the summer class was going on so we're starting now. I don't know if I've ever known a baby to love the water as much as she does (she's always loved baths and completely ignores you while she's getting washed). By the end of a bath there is practically no water left in her tub. If she didn't love it so much I wouldn't have even thought to put her in a class, but she is fearless and loves to splash water everywhere and is hardly distressed when I pour it over her head. I feel like we need to encourage this obvious love of water. We'll see how it goes.

First word

2008-10-02T18:29:00.000-07:00

The other night we counted to Astrid, "uno, dos", and she said, "tres"!
I don't really know how she learned it, but now all we can do it reinforce it. It is the cutest thing we've ever heard.
She's also started standing for a few seconds at a time...walking in time for Halloween??? Probably not, but that's okay (although it would be so cute).
She's 9.5 mos and getting her first tooth. So sad. I feel like I'm losing my baby. Arthur says he's losing his "toothless assasin".
As fun as all of these milemarkers are, the time has passed by so quickly and it makes me a bit sad. Why must babies grow up!
On a sadder note, we've been out in Colorado since last Thursday. On Friday my sweet Nona died. It was actually quite a serene, beautiful transition from this life into the next, very much like a birth. I was so happy and grateful to be able to be there and talk to him as he crossed over.

This picture is from an earlier trip this summer. Nona was so cool to the very end.

we're up again

2008-09-14T11:39:00.000-07:00

Super big smile (5 mos)

At the end of May

we moved from down-

town SL to Holladay.

This is Arthur's favorite

moving attire.

Arthur & Astrid in the ocean At the Polynesian At the beach

Cultural Center

Celebrating the 24th of July

Bear Lake

4th of July Provo Pool Watching fireworks Jack Johnson for my birthday

(Astrid loves the water)

Lake Mary/Big Cottonwood Canyon (August)

This was our summer in a nutshell (minus all the soccer games, trip to CO, hike at Upper Calf Creek Falls, and visits from lots of friends). It was so much fun to show Astrid all the fun things that are summer and look forward to experiencing fall!

Happy Earth Day!

2008-04-22T07:09:00.000-07:00

Happy Earth Day everyone! It's a beautiful day in Salt Lake City and I can't wait for Astrid to wake up so that we can spend some time outside.

As I was looking for things to do in Salt Lake I came across this website and saw that some of your cities had fun activities, too.

Here are a dozen things you can do to make Earth Day everyday.

Earth Day Flower Bum

I love him

2008-04-16T15:31:00.001-07:00

In a day filled with caring for our sweet girl, I frequently find myself thinking of my great husband. I don't know if I've ever been happier.

sewing creations

2008-03-20T11:53:00.001-07:00

Nothing too hard, I'm just glad to not have to spend money on diaper covers (if I can get them down).

She's wearing one of my mom's baby shirts in this picture. I think she looks a lot like Arthur.

Astrid happy with her Aunt Meg. We LOVE the adorable hair clip!

This picture was taken after a much needed long nap after a two hour cry. So happy. I let her sleep "nakey". I think she prefers it. (If you were wondering why she didn't have a diaper on)

A couple of weekends ago we went up to Park City to watch the snowboard/ski 1/2 pipe competition. It looks a lot colder in the picture than it was.

Mom as Astrid at indoor supporting Papa and Uncle Hugh.

Family at indoor.

Bundled for another run. We go running a lot. (I've committed with training, not money, to the Salt Lake 1/2)

long time no blog

2008-03-16T16:40:00.000-07:00

Sorry for the long delay in blogging. And now that I am, I realize that I don't have all the pictures that I wanted...lame. So these will have to suffice. They are a couple of weeks old but she looks pretty much the same. I will be sure to post some more recent ones soon.

This is just us hanging out in the evening. She really likes to play and talk on my lap.

We LOVE going on runs together. It hasn't really been ideal baby running weather, so that's why I have to bundle her so much. She doesn't seem to mind, though. She is so great and sleeps through a whole run (despite me running through potholes, etc) and when we get home she is always ready to eat.

This is a typical picture of Astrid sleeping. The best is when she wakes up, though, because she does these really adult-like stretches. She arches her little back and neck, stretches out her arms and legs and makes stretching noises. I love it.

This is the first picture of her sitting up (against a wall). She did pretty well--long enough for me to take a couple of pictures.

In terms of new news, I recently got a sewing machine and I have been going bananas making stuff for Astrid, from blankets to diaper covers. I love this new little hobby, although I am very, very new to it and not very good yet. I will post some pictures of some things I've made soon.
What else...we are ready for some spring weather! Last night it snowed although last week the weather forcast speculated that we would not be getting anymore snow in the valley. I'm ready to break out the skirts and sandals (yeah, Susan!) and let my baby lounge in a onesie instead of layers of clothes!

also for Jacki!

2008-02-27T16:23:00.000-08:00

How long have you been together? Married 1 yr 8 mos

How long did you date? 3 yrs

How old is he? 31

Who said "I love you" first? I think that I might have. It was in a note.

Who is taller? Arthur

Who sings better? Me

Who is smarter? Arthur

Who does the laundry? Me, usually

Who does the dishes? Me, but Arthur does them if he gets home late and is the last eater.

Who sleeps on the right side of the bed? Arthur, but we change it up from time to time like the Beardsleys

Who pays the bills? Me (with Arthur's borrowed money)

Who mows the lawn? don't have one-we rent

Who cooks dinner? I do. i just found a great little book full of crockpot recipes.

Who is more stubborn? Me

Who asked who out? we mutually "hung" out, but i guess arthur instigated

Who proposed? there was no official proposal. again, it was a mutual plan to get married

Who is more sensitive? for sure, me

Who has more friends? arthur, or at least it feels like it b/c most of them are in ut

Who has more siblings? arthur

I tag jo & erin!!

Free Pancakes!

2008-02-11T14:55:00.000-08:00

Hey everyone. FYI, tomorrow is National Pancake Day at IHOP and you can get a stack of FREE (3) pancakes.
I don't know about you, but free breakfast food=happy.

P.U.R.P.L.E

2008-02-09T11:53:00.000-08:00

Moms, have you heard of this "period of PURPLE crying"? Astrid just started night before last, out of nowhere. I thought she was in total pain until I talked to a girlfriend who told me about this phenomenon. I'd never heard about it. You'd think they'd tell you about this at the doctor's office! Anyway, it's something I can totally deal with. I don't mind holding her while she cries and trying to console her (even if it is to no avail), I just wish someone had told me about it so that I wasn't so alarmed.
Also, if anyone has any thoughts or suggestions about how to deal with this (is there really anything you can do?), please let me know.
For those of you who've never heard of it, here is a site that provides some information:
Period of PURPLE crying

dang it, she's cute

2008-02-04T17:01:00.000-08:00

A few things...

2008-01-23T08:58:00.000-08:00

First smile captured on camera

Just a cute picture

Happy.... not so happy.

A funny sequence

And finally,

We are addicted. It's our FHE activity. I was never really interested as a young girl, but it is just so entertaining to me now. If you're not watching it on Monday nights you're really missing out.

My two loves...

2008-01-16T15:56:00.000-08:00

There's nothing better than seeing your baby totally passed out on her papa's chest. Nothing.

Cheerleader?

2008-01-14T10:07:00.000-08:00

our sweet milk mouth girl

2007-12-31T09:56:00.000-08:00

one of my favorite things about having this new little girl is feeding her and the milk mustache that always follows. i love it. she is such a good girl and for the most part only cries when she needs to be changed or fed. we feel so lucky to have such a good baby.

Astrid Ella VanWagenen

2007-12-20T16:35:00.000-08:00

6 lbs 12 oz
20 in

Today was her first check up and she now weighs in at 7.1 lbs

we've got her!

2007-12-18T11:46:00.000-08:00

Please don't be jealous of my past fierceomness

2007-12-14T21:37:00.000-08:00

I don't think 'fierceomness' is a word, and if it is I certainly didn't spell it right, but the beard deserves its own word and perhaps its own whole language. Jasmine dug these up the other day and I remembered how good things were before I became a lawyer. Also, I think Jasmine might go into labor tonight.

No Country for Old Men

2007-12-09T19:55:00.000-08:00

Have you seen this movie? Set in a small Texas border town and the surrounding countryside, the story follows a psychopathic killer's efforts to track down a brief case of $2 million dollars that was lifted by a local trailer park resident who happened upon the scene of a massive drug deal gone wrong. The killer is played to harrowing effect by Javier Bardem (I think that's his name), who forces his victims to flip a coin and call heads or tales on their lives. The film will be remembered for its dark characters, brutal violence, and unorthodox plot. But particularly striking is the way the Coen brothers are able to integrate the landscape and geography of west Texas into the story in a way that makes you feel it is the only setting where a story like this could happen; the only place on earth that could provide a venue for a man like Bardem to blow up cars and trucks by stuffing gasoline-soaked rags into gas tanks after lighting them on fire. The only place where the murder weapon of choice is a air compression tank and hose with enough pressure to blow a quarter through the skull of an unsuspecting cattle rancher or gas station attendent. My wife is from west Texas and tells wonderful stories of her family's cars being stolen on a regular basis there. After their third car was stolen, the family resorted to physically chaining the car to a metal post cemented in the ground. Her father, awoke one night to the roar of a revving engine and a saw working its way through metal. He rushed outside with a loaded handgun which he kept under the bed only to see their van being towed out of the metal post by one man in a truck while his co-conspirator worked away at chopping the metal post with his hack saw. The post broke and the truck tore off down the street leaving a trail of smoking, screeching tires. The family van already had a driver inside when the post broke and the sawman jumped in as Jasmine's dad fired shots in the air and watched helplessly as the van sped away. West Texas is harsh, lawless country where a man is forced to rely on no one but himself to survive. Just hope Javier Bardem is after you with his air canon when you visit.

Why my husband rocks my world

2007-12-03T11:14:00.000-08:00

When you get married you just don't really think about what your husband will be like when you're pregnant (at least I didn't). I lucked out and got what I think has been the most stable and reassuring part about my pregnancy--Arthur.
In addition to being absolutely perfect during our pregnancy, Arthur is also 100% game for using cloth diapers. I can hardly think of one guy who really doesn't mind changing diapers, much less cloth ones.
Last week we got our order (above). I can't get over just how cute cloth diapers are!
Like our birth plan, if they don't work, they don't work. But we're really excited to give them a shot.

As for Arthur's last post about "Fun Road Trips to CA", I'd rather not share and relive the nightmare (just the last day), but I'll give a very brief recap.
Arthur and his friends thought it would be really fun to go visit Paul Florence in San Francisco over a weekend. Wives were invited but I was the only one who actually ended up going. We were super excited to see the Florence's new place in Sausalito (gorgeous). We left SL really late on Friday and arrived in SF at about 3am. Paul was great and was our city tour guide all of Saturday. We left somewhat early on Sunday. On the road home all was well discussing the square mileage that would be needed to accommodate all 6 billion people in the world if everyone was standing in a 2ftx2ft box. Before we knew it, I-80 was a campground at Lake Tahoe. (Sidenote: This was the day I started to feel morning sickness). Furious and swearing, I packed up the boys and got in the driver's seat and drove for a good 5 hours. We arrived in SL 14 hours later. Needless to say, it was just too much fun for a sick pregnant lady.

Thanksgiving

2007-11-20T03:59:00.000-08:00

Thanksgivings will, for me, be forever associated with long road trips to California to play soccer. Or to coach soccer. For the second year in a row, Jasmine and I will be several states apart on this holiday weekend. She in Colorado to show off her belly to her grandparents, and me in San Diego for the Nomads soccer tournament. It is my last such tournament with this group of boys, many of whom I've coached for over four years now. They are good lads...all of them. Last year I made the mistake of walking three of them around Tihijuana for an evening. We only had to reject 5 or 6 offers to go into the topless bars and 5 or 6 more for smoking hash and 10 or 20 for illegal firecrackers and switchblade knives. My first trip to TJ was also on the tale end of a trip to Nomads. My dad drove me and several teammates down in our old red and grey Suburban. We ate the buffet at Ceasar's Palace in Vegas on the way down and on the way home, the transmission dropped somewhere in the high desert between Victorville and Barstow. My Pops had to hitchhike back to Victorville to rent a car while we watched football and ate pizza. Sandwiched in between was a trip across the border, my first of any kind, and I was fascinated. Phil Snyder was our goalkeeper and was literally, not approximately, two feet and 80 lbs bigger than me. He listened to Rush, taught 30 year olds how to play the drums, had a brother in prison, and made me borrow some Andrew Dice Clay tapes that I was afraid to listen because I was fairly innocent then. PhiI smuggled switchblades and M-80's and other contraband back across the border. All I smuggled was a brown stain in my extra mediums from eating tacos and being stuck in traffic for three ours trying to cross. Phil's remarkable maturity in haggling with the street vendors only highlighted the embarassement of a kid who'd just crapped his pants. No matter. I tossed my drawers in the first gas station dumpster we passed and Phil acted like crapping your pants was the norm for a trip down south.

Next time on "Fun California Road Trips" we'll explain the picture of Jasmine and I walking on what we thought at the time was I-80 eastbound but was really just a campground at Lake Tahoe.

La familia Sanchez

2007-11-20T03:35:00.000-08:00

Good Sunday

2007-11-04T16:03:00.000-08:00

Today was a good day and it started with an extra hour to sleep in and cuddle in bed. We ate a good breakfast and went for a walk-trot around Liberty Park (Arthur is so nice to accompany me on such "workouts", where it takes us 30 minutes to walk-trot 1.5 miles). Our walk was especially nice because the weather was beautiful today. The sun was warm but the air a bit crisp. And the dead leaves everywhere smelled so good. Perfect for a walk. We then came home and started cleaning the house (which we usually don't have time to do on Saturdays because of soccer-now the season is officially over-sadly, Arthur's boys lost in the final yesterday) and made some good soup before we had to leave to the airport. I just got home and Arthur is probably boarding a plane to LA right now.
It was mostly a good day because I spent it with Arthur. I've been thinking about the fact that he and I only have a few weekends left of just us and to be honest, it makes me a little sad. I feel bad for having such a selfish thought but I think the more general idea behind it is that I'm really starting to realize that things are just going to be so different. Arthur is so reassurring and says that it'll still be us but better. I know he's right, and in all truth, I really can't wait to be a parent with him. We have had a great four and a half years of it being just us and now we're ready to have Astrid.

Hip hop head

2007-10-30T15:36:00.000-07:00

Black Steel In The Hour Of Chaos

I got a letter from the government
The other day
I opened and read it
It said they were suckers
They wanted me for their army or whatever
Picture me given' a damn - I said never
Here is a land that never gave a damn
About a brother like me and myself
Because they never did
I wasn't wit' it, but just that very minute...
It occured to me
The suckers had authority
Cold sweatin' as I dwell in my cell
How long has it been?
They got me sittin' in the state pen
I gotta get out - but that thought was thought before
I contemplated a plan on the cell floor
I'm not a fugitive on the run
But a brother like me begun - to be another one
Public enemy servin' time - they drew the line y'all
To criticize me some crime - never the less
They could not understand that I'm a Black man
And I could never be a veteran
On the strength, the situation's unreal
I got a raw deal, so I'm goin' for the steel

They got me rottin' in the time that I'm servin'
Tellin' you what happened the same time they're throwin'
4 of us packed in a cell like slaves - oh well
The same motherfucker got us livin' is his hell
You have to realize - what its a form of slavery
Organized under a swarm of devils
Straight up - word'em up on the level
The reasons are several, most of them federal
Here is my plan anyway and I say
I got gusto, but only some I can trust - yo
Some do a bid from 1 to 10
And I never did, and plus I never been
I'm on a tier where no tears should ever fall
Cell block and locked - I never clock it y'all
'Cause time and time again time
They got me servin' to those and to them
I'm not a citizen
But ever when I catch a C-O
Sleepin' on the job - my plan is on go-ahead
On the strength, I'ma tell you the deal
I got nothin' to lose
'Cause I'm goin' for the steel

You know I caught a C-O
Fallin' asleep on death row
I grabbed his gun - then he did what I said so
And everyman's got served
Along with the time they served
Decency was deserved
To understand my demands
I gave a warnin' - I wanted the governor, y'all
And plus the warden to know
That I was innocent -
Because I'm militant
Posing a threat, you bet it's fuckin' up the government
My plan said I had to get out and break north
Just like with Oliver's neck
I had to get off - my boys had the feds in check
They couldn't do nuthin'
We had a force to instigate a prison riot
This is what it takes for peace
So I just took the piece
Black for Black inside time to cut the leash
Freedom to get out - to the ghetto - no sell out
6 C-Os we got we ought to put their head out
But I'll give 'em a chance, cause I'm civilized
As for the rest of the world, they can't realize
A cell is hell - I'm a rebel so I rebel
Between bars, got me thinkin' like an animal
Got a woman C-O to call me a copter
She tried to get away, and I popped her
Twice, right
Now who wanna get nice?
I had 6 C-Os, now it's 5 to go
And I'm serious - call me delirious
But I'm still a captive
I gotta rap this
Time to break as time grows intense
I got the steel in my right hand
Now I'm lookin' for the fence

I ventured into the courtyard
Followed by 52 brothers
Bruised, battered, and scarred but hard
Goin' out with a bang
Ready to bang out
But power from the sky
And from the tower shots rang out
A high number of dose - yes
And some came close
Figure I trigger my steel
Stand and hold my post
This is what I mean - an anti-nigger machine
If I come out alive and then they won't - come clean
And then I threw up my steel bullets - flew up
Blew up, who shot...
What, who, the bazooka was who
And to my rescue, it was the S1Ws
Secured my getaway, so I just gotaway
The joint broke, from the black smoke
Then they saw it was rougher thatn the average bluffer
'Cause the steel was black, the attitude exact
Now the chase is on tellin' you to c'mon
53 brothers on the run, and we are gone

32 weeks

2007-10-29T08:23:00.000-07:00

This picture was actually taken about a week ago, so I wasn't quite 32 weeks yet. But as you can see, we're growing!

Arthur will be posting soon about his adventures with Flava Flave (sp? Rebecca, what's "flava") and Chuck D this past weekend.

Blogging is part of my infinite nature

2007-10-24T21:03:00.000-07:00

It was unseasonably warm today and the warmth radiating off the glass of the car, combined with the music of Eddy Vedder's first solo album (the soundtrack to Into the Wild) put me in a reflective mood. The weather was resisting change, still clinging to a fragment of summer, but one could also sense the hopelessness of the last days of warm weather, knowing that they must give way to the cold and snow of winter sooner or later. It was more sad than noble...the weather not wanting to succumb, but knowing it must...everything on the cusp. Our lives are on the cusp, constantly oscillating (in temperament and thought, if not physical circumstance) between known and unknown, complacency and adventure, domestication and wildness. Herman Hesse writes in Steppenwolf that in order to find ones' true self (to be born new and free) one must destroy the world she currently inhabits, including all habits, conceptions, biases, paradigms. There is probably something liberating about destroying all our notions of the world. But the real dilemma is how to implement or live the new paradigm once the epiphany has occurred. Like autumn hanging onto summer before giving way to winter, we grasp pathetically at what we know and lack the courage to plunge into a new way of life, perhaps because we sense that it will be cold and snowy, dark and lonely. How long will it take Astrid to form a sense of the world and her place in it? How long till she is able to destroy it and replace it with another? Will she be able to act on her new vision? Will that vision have to be destroyed as well? How often must we shed the warmth of a summer world for the stinging cold of winter? This year, my winter shall take on new meaning, new poignancy, and new life...afterall, I bought myself a new set of twin tip, all mountain skis from Blue House...that and we are having a baby.

I'm back

2007-10-21T11:58:00.001-07:00

Life has been busy and painful lately. I'm just trying to make it through 4 more weeks of work...
My pelvic bones have been doing a great job of preparing for delivering a baby and I'm feeling it. Rebecca, is the same happening to you? I keep telling Arthur that anything I said about how easy pregnancy is during the second trimester should be disregarded.
On a better note, Astrid is such a maniac and moves so much. I love it. I think that's what I'll miss most about being pregnant. Arthur continues to expose her to the writings of Borges, Neruda, Rilke and Hopkins and the songs of Woody Guthrie and Pink Floyd. Being pregnant with Arthur has been one of the most fun things I've ever done. Only two months left and I'm starting to realize that that's no time at all. How crazy.

This weekend the Salt Lake Tribune wrote a piece on Will's Mormon Worker. Here is the site for everyone to check out.

My first post

2007-09-28T20:43:00.000-07:00

Post, post, blog, blog, post, blog, post, blah, blah, blah. Everyone happy?

Love,
Arthur