The Preston Post

Preston, our third,

I've realized now...

no poem for you is penned,

and so it's time to endow

your little self with a rhyme--

be it short or long.

Here, from me to you,

is your un-musical song.

Now "what to write, what to say"...

should I capture your cheeks?
Maybe that would be fun,

for they go on for weeks...

or your hips that can shake

like no other force.

Must be momma's genes--

yes, they must be the source.

There's those envied eyelashes,

just begging for mascara.

But your a boy so I won't.

Still--it's just plain unfair...

I could talk of your charm--

a personality for days.

You love people, your friendly,

timidity never in your way.

I love how you link

arm-in-arm when we sit.

You grab my cheeks and kiss me--

fishy-style--heavy on the spit.

You're always on hand

for a thumbs up and a wink.

And when, someday, you lose your lisp

my heart will just sink.

Too much to write, to say...

but wait, I just did!

Yes, here is your poem,

Mr. Prep, my big kid.

They all have one: of Paige ~ of Trevor ~ of Gavin

Deep thoughts

{Courtesy of Miss Paige, while spraying sunscreen on my back}

"Mom, I'm not sure how to say this, but...well, sometimes I think people who have a lot of freckles on their back, look like tortillas."

Sounds like?...

Me: Do you guys like this dinner? Quinoa is really good for you...

Trev: No, King Noah is one of the bad guys, Mom.

a happy opportunity.

I have been an admirer of Mark Mabry's photography "Reflections of Christ" since I first saw it at the Mesa Temple Visitor's Center. It is moving and reverent and inspired. So, I was excited when I recently heard that he was going to do another series of "Reflections of Christ in the Americas"...

I also heard they were looking for vocalists for it's soundtrack. After sending in a demo, I just found out I was selected to sing in the choir on the soundtrack CD--Yay! I'm beyond thrilled just to be a part of this beautiful project. I think the choir will consist of about a dozen people or so. The producer has yet to fill me in on the details, but I can't wait to take part in this experience.

I've posted this several times, but once again, here is the link to the beautiful video:

http://mabrystudios.typepad.com/reflections_of_christ/2008/03/reflections-sli.html

the perks of being a grown up.

Trevor: Mom, when you're a daddy, can you do whatever you want?

Me: Umm, well, it depends...

Trevor: Well, when I'm a daddy, can I go see a real Batman movie in the movie theatre?

Me: (relieved) Oh, yeah. Sure!

Trevor: (huge, gigantic grin) Yes! I want to go see it when I'm 31...Actually, I want to invent something really cool when I'm 31, and then I will go see it when I'm 32....Also, when I'm 10, I'm going to do science.

Me: Awesome, buddy.

Except, I forgot the part about how he's not allowed to grow up.

Good Gift: A tribute to my children's father.

Warning: I am about to spell it out, draw it out, and let it out, so if you are uninterested in the terrific nature of another woman's husband--or if you are Steve--then skip to the next post 'cause I'm in the mood to illustrate my providencial good fortune in marriage for the generations to come... or just because.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Sometimes I think my husband is a better woman than I.

Let me clarify: As women, we are innately prone to unique and unselfish qualities--those giving and nurturing tendencies with which God sprinkled us. Right? Well, I am here to admit that, apparently, some of those sprinkles ricocheted off of my spirit and clung to the one with whom I would spend forever. Truly, he seems to possess more of the giving spirit that I feel I should be foreordained to claim. However, I see that this is what makes us a good fit. We are a team, and teams are best matched when each individual makes up for the deficits of another-- And, let's face it, I look better in a dress.

His generosity enriches my life, or sometimes just make it a little easier. When he:

makes the bed every morning,

does the dishes before I even come downstairs,

makes Paige's lunch before school,

or saves me the last bite of dessert,

I am reminded of his love for me.

Steve is the most generous person I know. He loves to serve and give and knows little boundaries in this area. He does not wait for someone else to get it done. He is anxiously engaged in a good cause, always volunteering. Someone moving? Count him in. Someone need their weeds pulled? He'll do it as he walks by their house. Often, he recognizes a need before it remotely even occurs to me. His ability to give is boundless, and I am learning a great deal from this innate gift.

His mom always tells me, "He just came that way, Lisa." I remember the first time she told me this when we were engaged, and she asked me what I loved most about her son. I told her it was that he has such a good heart. This was the first time she said, "Oh, yes. He just came that way."

This man is charitable, kind, patient. He mourns with those that mourn. He gives of himself, his time, his talents...he's just the kind of person I want to be yoked with. And I am.

"Every good gift...is from above." James 1:17

He is my good gift, indeed. Though I am often found sharing this good gift with others, I know it is a blessing for me and for my children who witness his giving spirit.

Now to the part where he is the father. I realize that as the mother, I truly set the tone of the home. Thankfully, I have my own personal Steve-- and he sets the tone of me. He reminds me of how to be a good mother, without actually reminding me. His presence can change my attitude from grim to graceful... He has the talent (and, truly, it is a talent) of smudging out the memories of a harried day. And, believe me, many a twisted day has been smoothed by his optimism.

He enjoys our children and they enjoy him. He produces much more exciting bubble baths for the boys than I do. His bedtime stories come alive with accents and dialects (who wouldn't enjoy a pirate who goes from Russian to Scottish in one story?) And, around our house, he is "The Man" according to our children, and they tell me so all the time. "You can't open that jar, Mom? Don't worry, Daddy will do it when he gets home 'cause he's The Man!"

Steve is intelligent, wise, and learned in the scriptures. He is capable and savvy is his career. He is a leader and a servant. He has righteous desires and an eternal perspective. He is clean and tidy. He is a soft place to land. And just so you are not convinced that I have a flawless husband, I will reassure you that sometimes he forgets to put the toilet paper on the roll...oh, wait--that's me...

Happy Father's Day (week) Steve.

You're the Man.

Funny Baby & Long Captions

Caption: Little Boy Blue Meets Little Red Riding Hood--In A Highchair.

Caption: Gavin's New Expression: The One He Does Everyday Lately 'Cause He Knows It Makes Us Laugh.

In which, it is summertime...

Family shoot--revisited.

This darling photographer added our kiddos to her blog header...

and once again, I am pretending we're famous.

Funnies of the week

Me (tucking the boys in at night): Boys, I love you higher than the sky...

Preston: Mom, I love you all the way to Yew York City!

Trevor: Well, I love you all the way to Broadway!

(We took enough pictures of the trip, I'm sure the boys lived it by proxy!)

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Me (reading a letter from Paige's dentist): It says, "Diagnosis..."

Paige: What?!? I have diagnosis!!!

~~~~~~~~~~~

Me: Honey, are these pants too tight?

Steve: (long pause--really long pause) I think you look great in anything!

Me: Um, that was not the question.

Steve: (another pause, then nervous chuckle) I'm not sure what I'm supposed to say here.

Me: This is not a trick question. I really want to know if you think these are too tight to wear outside of our house.

Steve: (nothing)

Me: Seriously, babe. I am not asking if I'm fat or something, but these are not as loose as they used to be and I'm wondering if they're too tight!

Steve: Well, I guess they are a little snug.

Me: (exasperated sigh) Finally--thank you!

~~~~~~~~~~~~

"What if the Hokey Pokey is what it's all about?"

- Jack Handey (Deep Thoughts)

Don't wake me from this....

New York Minute(s)

Oh. My.

How does a girl describe it? Two days coming and going, and then three completely packed days in Manhattan. Exhilerating, breath-taking, smelly, romantic, fast-paced, relaxed, awe-inspiring....Magical. Seriously. We took a ridiculous number of pictures. Mostly for the kids--only partially for this blog. Here are some highlights and then, if you wish, indulge yourself {or, rather, me} and sweep through a NYC slide show below... Our hotel, smack dab in Times Square, was above the Hershey Store.

Harbor Cruise passing Lady Liberty herself.

{And me, wearing my NYC scarf that I bartered for in Chinatown--great story. Ask me sometime.}

This is a mural that we saw on our Double Decker Bus Tour. Wow, right? The tourguide said to take a picture 'cause it is soon going to be painted over. {And if you'll notice, the two towers that are in the middle of N}

Top of the Panic Attack Building, aka Empire State Building. {Chrysler Bldg behind us}

We rented bikes and rode through Central Park--best decision. We LOVED it! We found this gorgeous arch somewhere in the hidden paths of the park, and an obliging Aussie took our photo.

Belvedere Castle in the Park. "Rapunzel, Rapunzel..."

"Dum-Dum want Gum-Gum." Night at the Museum, anyone? We will not soon forget the uproar of screams from our kids when they saw me in this picture. I am famous.

Manhattan LDS Temple across the street from Julliard and the Met. It's quite a sight, in the middle of the hustle and bustle.

Our First Show ON BROADWAY!!!

"Phantom". We'd both seen this one years ago, in other cities, but there's something special about it here.

There were tears.

Enough said.

This is the ceiling of John's Pizzeria {thanks for the tip, cousin Becca} where we ate before Phantom. The restaurant used to be a church. Honestly? I'm dying.

Yes, I played a stirring rendition of "Heart and Soul" that will echo through the corridors of FAO Schwartz for years to come.

Couldn't stay away from Central Park--we went by way of horse and carriage on this day.

After the ride with our Irish driver, Steve exhibited his fine one-armed-extension-photography-skills while capturing us, statue at the edge of the Park and the Plaza Hotel. Nice.

This lovely little haunt was on my Top 3 places I wanted to go in New York--Serendipity. This place was sweet...and so was their famous Frrrrozen Hot Chocolate.

Mary Poppins on Broadway--exceeded our already high expectations. Wow. I want to cry just thinking about it...

Dinner in Times Square at Bubba Gump Shrimp Company--

Steve's personal dream come true. Can you see that part of the menu is on a ping-pong paddle? It's all about the details.

The final show of the trip--the Broadway revival of West Side Story. Did I mention there were tears?

Back with our kiddos, and not a moment too soon. Time away makes us love them even more.{They're holding mini-Statue of Liberty's--per specific request. Trevor still thinks that New York made these just for them.}

In the carriage.

Steve, you are a rock star in my book. Thank you for taking me to this magical place and for the memories we made together. And, bonus! You're really fun to be with 24/7. Let's do it again sometime.

Click HERE to see the slide show.