a cruise (part 1)

The world has finally stopped swaying so now I can tell you all about the cruise that Eric and I went on.

I will start by saying that we planned this trip months ago. Otherwise, there is no way I would've been to be able to leave the world's sweetest 6 week old baby for 5 days and 4 nights! 

Thankfully, B was in good hands with my sister. And my parents kindly managed the day to day and busy schedules of the other school-going four. So I tried not too worry about them all too much and to just enjoy myself while we were away.

And there was a lot to enjoy!

It all started with a breakfast of buffalo wings and ranch and then a six hour drive to CA. It could only get better from there.

We arrived at the port and walked on to our cruise ship.

And that's when I had a mini-freak out and questioned our decision. Everywhere we went there was loud music, drunk people, and swim suits that should not be worn in public. We walked around like scared deer in headlights until we eventually found the Nielsen's.  Then we got ice cream and I calmed down and tried to enjoy the party ship as best I could with all of its gluttony and idle ways (the pounds that I gained by the end of the trip proved that I fully embraced it).

You couldn't see it from the above picture but this was the serene view we had from our window each night.


We spent the first full day at Catalina Island.

We went snorkeling.

 Eric was happy as could be and in his element diving all around looking at the fish and other under the sea life. My deep, deep fear of masks and things covering my face and nose was confirmed and so the mask and snorkel went around my arm like a bracelet for the rest of the time. I was quite happy swimming on top of the water (and would've been even happier with a simple pair of non-nose covering goggles--a lesson learned for next time).






When we got back on the ship, Eric and I had some fun going down the waterslides.
 

What a beautiful view!

We dressed up that night for dinner. Isn't Eric just so handsome?

It almost felt like we were going to prom together when we posed for these pictures. My eyes are even half closed which is pretty standard for me and professional pictures.



We love the Nielsen's so much and we had so much fun with them on this trip!

We played a lot of games together over the course of the week (exploding kittens, canasta, Sushi Go, and more). This was my favorite room that we found to play in.



To be continued soon!

These Days

Someone broke out of her straitjacket. 

I got to take Kacin to see the play Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat. We started the evening at Oregeno's. We had a great idea to get dessert first before our pizza.

Kyler got some cuddles before bed.

We got two more big happy babies this week.

My nephews were good little helpers with baby B when I was watching them one morning. They were also really good at throwing cheerios on the floor that day.

Someone turned one month old.

Here's to prove that she's not always a peaceful sleeper.

A great quote:

And a great daddy and a great baby on my lap.

motivation

We all know that Perry often needs some outside motivation (aka bribery). Apparently, Perry knows this about himself, too. 

Last night, he sat down with the dinner of champions (yeah, I know, mom win)--frozen taquitos, applesauce, and apple juice. A little while later (we might have been playing nerts with Kacin instead of eating with him), we noticed that his meal was spread out on the table and each item, including each of the individual taquitos, had a chocolate candy next to it. He explained that after he ate each item he got to eat the chocolate he had placed next to it.

We thought this was so funny and clever. He has never done anything like this himself before, but I guess he has been bribed in lots of different ways so he knows how to motivate himself. 

family day

We had stake conference on Sunday. On Saturday, our sweet thoughtful bishop sent a text to us with a link to watch conference at home since we have a new baby. What we didn't realize until 10am Sunday morning was that the link was actually for Saturday's adult session.

We missed Saturday's adult session because we had tickets to the cinematic pop concert. Which, by the way, Eric and I loved!

We missed the Sunday session since we assumed we had the link, and we didn't realize we didn't until conference had already started. Instead of rushing to get everyone ready, we decided to stay home and declared it our family day. 

I was listening to one of my favorite podcasts (Happier with Gretchen Rubin) a few weeks ago and they mentioned have a "power day." Basically, the extension of a power hour to a whole day of getting things done you've been needing to do. In essence, that's what family day became. A power day to focus on our family, to do things we've been meaning to do, and to discuss things we've been meaning to discuss.

Eric and I made a list of things we wanted to accomplish during the day and we crossed them off as we went.

We actually got through quite a bit of our list that day. We started with snuggle time. Everyone shared their enthusiasm in favor of this one (said in my most sarcastic voice). But I think it was an important one. Eric assigned spots on the couch and we had to sit as close as we could. We listened to a 7 min episode of a Mormon channel daily podcast during our cuddle time. Seven minutes turned into a bit longer because we had to keep starting the podcast over and over because some individuals were not sure about this great idea--even going as far as referring to our brilliance  as torture. But we believe in the power of touch and sitting there all smushed together definitely brought power into our family and centered us for the rest of the day. But I can't believe I missed out on the family selfie that could've been. 

The rest of the day, we rotated between a family activity and then 10-30 min away from each other each time. Many of us here are introverts and we do need some recharge time on our own. Especially me.

The playing, the reading, the cleaning, and the games (nerts!) were all great. But our family discussions were at the heart of our family day.

Some thing that was said and then sung at the cinematic pop concert the night before got me thinking about our family and a specific problem right now and an idea came to me then about how to help address it. Eric and I counseled about my idea on the way home from the concert and that's how we decided we needed to have a discussion about our family culture. What do Allred's do? What do Allred's value? What do we enjoy together? What do we wish for our family? We started by having everyone brainstorm individually about what makes up our family culture. We then shared our answers and wrote them on a whiteboard. Eric and I had planned to then work on making a small little poster to display our family culture. But the children's ideas were flying during that discussion and so we are hoping to make something bigger happen. Still tweaking those ideas, but it will come together. 

Our other big discussion was about creating a set of family rules. Our collaboration resulted in the CROWLS. And the fact that when someone needs a reminder of these rules, we can then ask "Do you C  R  OWLS?"

C: communication 

R: respect 

O: order

W: work

L: learn

S: serve 

This is how Perry participated in family day.... 

B had her role, too.

Family day was exactly what we needed. We accomplished important things, enjoyed each other's company, and came closer together as a family. 

soccer season

I'm so glad we found this soccer club that Kyler is on. The schedule is perfect for us and we don't have to worry about any Sunday play because they are the NSFC (No Sunday Futbol Club). Kyler likes his new coach because he pushes them hard. He has some awesome boys on his team, too. 

Saturday they had their first game of sorts. It was a friendly match so it doesn't count towards the season, but it was good experience. Kyler is back to playing keeper, and some defensive mid when he can.

B and I were his biggest fans! Can you see him there in the blue?

She was definitely cheering him on in her sleep. 

don't blink

Infertility gave me a gift. Well, many gifts actually. But the one I've experienced the strongest the last few weeks is the gift of cherishing.


Cherish this.


Enjoy it.


I know some people get really annoyed when they are in the thick of young children and all that goes with it and people tell them to enjoy it because they grow up so quickly.


But, personally, I've always loved that advice--to enjoy the crazy stage we are in and to cherish the moments. It's never bothered me to have someone tell me that because it's true! It does go by so quickly. And there are so many people out there who never get the blessing of having young children.

So whether or not you like that advice given to you by the stranger in the grocery store or the lady sitting behind you in church, I hope you will think about that advice and let your heart fill up with gratitude for the opportunity to love, serve, and nurture God's children. That blessing does not come easily, or does not come at all, to many people who yearn for it.


That's what I feel these days. So much gratitude for less sleep at night, exploding poop on my hand while I change a diaper, and the craziness of keeping track of 5 schedules.

I didn't say all those moments were fun or that I am always smiling around here. But I am bursting with gratitude and that leads me to cherish these special moments.


I'm afraid if I blink I will miss some of it.


And I don't want to miss any of it because I'm so grateful to be experiencing it at all.


Now I just need to apply my own advice when it comes to teenagers... ;) ;)