Sometimes…

Sometimes when the kids are super restless we pack them up in the car and head to the track. everyone is happier.

especially the runaway princess.

Sometimes, before church, there are lego battles that take place in my living room.

Sometimes we have cousins come over for dinner but we still make them load their own dishes…no matter how cute they are.

sometimes the house is peaceful with quiet children reading and snacking on apples. shhh….

sometimes we find pictures from the past that should have been buuuuurnnned! so then we put them on the blog.. why not?

Sometimes the day just calls for a spontaneous trip to rite-aid for ice cream!

and bathing suits and inflatable mini pools in the backyard.

sometimes the mess is overwhelming…ugh.

sometimes you gotta just jump!

and sometimes songs are meant to be played over and over and over again.

Mother Dear I love you so…

I love Mother’s Day. My family did a good job at making me feel appreciated. The hubs made me a special crepe breakfast, let our boys choose some flowers for me, and my boys showered me with their gifts they made at school. Being a mother has been one of the hardest but best decisions I have ever made. I still struggle with feelings of career loss (even though I never had a career, explain THAT one to me) and all the normal motherhood apprehensions and feelings of self-doubt but Mother’s Day is one of those days I think I’m doing ok and all is right with the world.

 

My hubs needs a big THANK YOU. I could not do it without him. I wish I could say that I never complain (or that other people could say that about me) but the truth is that I do and my hubs lets me complain to him and still loves me for it.

I saw this comic on a friend’s FB on Mother’s Day and loved it. I know lots of Supermoms out there and I hope you all had a great Mother’s Day!

Ragnar Relay Radness

Aw Ragnar, how do I love thee? Let me count the ways…

1. Meetings, charts and organization. Our team of 12 met many times to figure out costumes (cavewoman type), team name (we ended up with Running Wild), and talk strategy! One of our team members made this groovy little chart to help see how the whole relay would play out for us. I starred my runs on the right. Easy peasy, right?

2. Ready to run! Don’t we look great? I was about to head out on my first run of 8.8 miles in this picture so I didn’t have my costume on. This is the group shot of the girls I was in van 2 with. Mari, Brandi, Janine, Jackie, me and my bestie Brittany. They were so fun!

I DIED on this run. We were in Yorba Linda/Corona and the temperatures rose past 100 degrees F and I was NOT ready for that. The first 5 miles flew by and I felt fine but soon after I was done. I probably walked 80% of the last 3.8 miles and not because I wanted to. Every time I tried to start running again I started seeing stars and felt like I was going to pass out, so it was self-preservation. I hated it. I hate walking when I’m in a race…especially when I know someone is waiting at the end for me to “pass the baton” too.

And this is how I felt after that leg. I was looking forward to LOTS of water, some food and redemption on my second leg…at 12:45am.

3. After our van was done we ate some yummy grub and tried to catch some shut eye. We made the mistake of not checking the map close enough and thought the hotel was farther than it was (DOH!!) so we thought the grass was the best option. Let me tell you, it was not. Didn’t work for me at least. Who needs sleep?

4. Our lovely van! It was packed full of snacks, clothes and sweaty women!

5. Finish line! So after I ran a total of about 20 miles we hit the finish line on the freezing beach of Coronado!

We made it!!

6. And I wore my Ragnar tattoo proudly for a week after. I’m ready to do it all again!

Intimidation

Or what about this one?

I’ve been thinking about intimidation lately. It seems like one of my boys (everyone in my family struggles with this on some scale) really struggles with being intimidated by new people. I was talking to him about doing Splashball (beginner’s waterpolo) this summer and he was adamantly opposed to the idea. Then the more I tried to convince him the more emotional he got and I was really taken back by it. He basically said that he doesn’t like not knowing people and even though there would be one of his friends starting it with him he was extremely uncomfortable with the situation. So I got to thinking about what’s intimidating him…and what intimidates me. Just like my son, people REALLY intimidate me, running hills intimidates me, seeing my neked (yes, I spelled it that way on purpose) self in the mirror frightens me…oh wait.

Webster’s Dictionary defines intimidation as “to make timid or fearful.” Its been a long time since someone has physically intimidated me (ahem, high school). For the most part, its all in my head, its all about me feeling less than someone else. That’s been a lifelong battle of mine and I’m glad to say that I have gotten better at not caring what others think but I’m far from “over it.” But how do I help my children get over it without being completely free of this battle myself? How do I help them be confident in themselves enough that trying something new with new people doesn’t intimidate them into non-participation? I need help on this one.

Eight

 his birthday breakfast request? Cocoa puffs and hashbrowns.

 

Somebody pin me back down because I am floating high. Today has been a day to be remembered. Ethan celebrated his eighth birthday and was baptized a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. His father went down into the waters of baptism with him. He was encircled by valiant men and bestowed the gift of the Holy Ghost. Two of his aunts gave wonderful talks on baptism. I loved seeing Evelyn's picture from way long ago when she was baptized. And Mae's analogy of the gift of the Holy Ghost was right on. I couldn't have asked for a better day for my sweet Ethan. So many friends, his second grade teacher, and our ever faithful family members thronged the pews of the church to show Ethan their support (and it REALLY meant a LOT to me too). I wanted to look at each individual present with us today and really tell them how MUCH it meant to me that they were there. Every time I saw Katie cutting up desserts or Brittany serving up water I wanted to hug them. I have some of the best friends and family a girl could ask for. I know there were many more family members, especially Grandma and Grandpa currently serving their mission in Sweden, that wanted to be there too and we thought of all of you crazy Rasmussens! :)

I can't imagine a better course for my boy to be on. I know this is the first of many steps. I know the way might get a bit dark at times. I know that life ahead will not always be as rosy as it was today. If he can remember the feeling of today then I know he can get through any rough patches ahead. I could see how special he felt in his eyes. 

And now for the birthday recap...

Picking out his own gifts (from his parents and the Willifords) at the Lego Store...this boy's heaven!

 

Bowling party with some good friends!

 

It was a week long birthday extravaganza! My dad even took Ethan and Luke to the Discovery Science Center's exhibit for Star Wars on Tuesday and they had a blast. Happy Birthday, Ethan! We love you google plex!

Conference and Other Shenanigans

Conference weekend is always highly anticipated in our house. The kids get a kick out of not having to get dressed up in their Sunday best and Steve and I do our best to hear and internalize every word said. This April's conference was especially fun because Anna, her boys and Ruger came to enjoy it with us. We ALWAYS love having them in our home and everyone (ok, maybe not Sadie and Steve so much) became a big fan of Ruger's. We tried to entertain the kids with a Conference Bingo game and some peanut M&M's but it was better in theory, honestly. At least we tried. Now I'm glad to have my Conference issue of the Ensign in hand so I can read the talks.

Sadie thought these bubbles at school were pretty nifty. I couldn't believe how well the bubble liquid actually held up. And I read NieNie's book, Heaven Is Here. I enjoyed the book. Her endurance through the struggle of recovering from the plane accident she was in is remarkable. I wondered how well I would fight to regain my own life if it were me. And I always love a book with a good ending.

Strawberry Picking At Tanaka

Sadie and I had a fun field trip to Tanaka Farms last Thursday for our preschool class. We picked strawberries to our hearts content and road a bus! We love that our cousins are in our class too.

the list is back! Seven Favorites

1. I've renewed my love of Los Angeles. I've been twice in the last month with friends and our family has gone to LA to do activities too. I've lived here nearly all my life and hardly went to LA. I still have never been to the Hollywood sign. So after going to LA for my birthday and then going back with Jessica and Bonnie a couple weeks ago their excitement reminded me of how much I'm taking for granted. There is lots to do around here and I have little reason to "get bored" with my surroundings. Just last week my sisters and I took our kids (those that weren't at school) to the beach and it was a beautiful day. I sent Steve a text telling him that days like those make me wonder why I want to leave California so bad.

 On the Friends set with Jessica and Bonnie

At the park by Balboa Pier

2. I'm such a fan of seeing my kids learn and grow. Lately, Sadie pretends to read and practices "writing." I got to go see Ethan and the rest of the second graders do an assembly in front of the entire school on Determination, which brought tears to my eyes (I know, I'm that kind of mom) and reminded me that I really need to be better at implementing that quality in my life. Sadie asked to go to dance class and was stellar about it. Ethan asked to do a science project and we made soap crystals. My kids minds are constantly on the go and I struggle keeping up but I love watching them appreciate something for the first time and enjoying it over and over. I hope they always have a love of knowledge and appreciate the experiences in life that make them grow.

3. Love emails from husbands. A week ago Steve asked me what he could do for me and I told him I'd love a love letter. Later that day I was checking my email and saw one from him. He rarely "bears his soul" so reading the email gave me goosies (and, of course, brought tears to my eyes). He's a keeper...especially when he writes me sappy emails. I'll spare you all the screen shot though.

4. I'm a fan of finding random pictures on my phone that my dear daughter takes. It always cracks me up to see what she has captured and I feel like I get a tiny look into what the world looks like to her right now.

 Self portrait, looks like she's on my bed.

 Costco trip!

 Another self-portrait on my bed...silly girl.

I remember her telling me to say cheese just as I went to drink my breakfast.

6. I am a fan of seeing my kids enjoy each others company. My heart is so happy when they play nicely together, make each other laugh, help each other out and just aren't bossing or being mean. When I see these moments take place I try to just stand there and take it in because I know that sometimes the moment is over as quickly as it began. 

7. Last but not least, goofy faces after Sacrament meeting are a favorite of mine. Especially from this little goofball.