It was Kelli's birthday too.

Last Sunday we gathered to celebrate our two March birthdays. Jordan and Kelli. 

Kelli is my sister just younger than me. I think she is pretty amazing. As I've mentioned before, moving as often as we did growing up often left me friendless but never sisterless. And if I had to choose...well there's no question that I would choose to be with my sisters any day. Plus, it was good to have Kelli on your side. Kelli is a fierce protector of those she loves. For example there was the time when we were little and she threatened to beat up a boy on the playground because he was being mean to me (yes-I know-a little role reversal with the oldest sibling role-I have no problem admitting that I'm a wimp) or the time she went to the house of a girl that had been harassing our other sister in junior high and told her to knock it off or watch her back or the time she got fed up with teenage boys yelling and honking in the parking lot of her and Brandt's apartment complex and went  down to their car and asked/told them to shut up because she had a sleeping baby upstairs or the time she chased a lady down in the grocery store and told her off for stealing our mom's grocery cart or..... you get the picture....) Growing up I felt it was my duty to watch over Kelli, to worry about Kelli, and to counsel/boss Kelli. Obviously all of my good efforts paid off because she is one of the most faithful, dedicated, disciplined and giving people I know. 

You know how if you see something or hear something or acquire something or learn something or experience something that you think is unique or wonderful and how you look around for someone to share the experience with because it is in the sharing that really fills your heart and soul with the joy of the moment? And how the experience is made all the more special if you can find someone who really appreciates what is being shared? This is why missionaries and faithful church members want to share the good news of the gospel and why I can't imagine Christmas or holidays without children and why I loved watching Kelli flip and twist and tumble with her gymnastics or cheer or sing or today watch her inspire and motivate her children or her muscles ripple from her faithful daily workouts. 

Kelli's always been a "behind the scenes" kind of gal. I just wanted to bring her to the forefront for a moment and share her wonderfulness with all of you.

Ladies and Gentlemen.....I give you...Kelli.

*( Something is going on with my computer. I can't upload pictures onto my blog. I have been trying for 2 days.  I had 3 more pictures I wanted to share but they will not load!! I will keep trying. For now...this is all I could do.)

Happy Birthday Husband.

From adorable boy... 

....to handsome hunk...

...this is the man I love. Happy Birthday, hon. 

Jordan

Jord

Love

Babe

Hon

Stole my heart from the first moment I saw him

with his long strides

and untucked shirt. 

His easygoing manner

brought balance to my overanxious nature.

As a father

he exceeded all expectations

as he wrapped his enormous heart around those babes we made.

He tells me he loves me

and that I'm beautiful

and most days, I believe him. 

Convinced me there is nothing he can't do

when I saw him

snow ski

and water ski

and play tennis and squash and golf

and even throw a frisbee and bowl like I'd never seen before.

He is especially good at math and science

which thankfully has helped our children continue to progress in those subjects.

Cars, computers, appliances..

he can fix most anything.

He has been known to sing along to Josh Grobin at the top of his lungs

while doing the Sunday dishes- 

and it's even pleasant.

He can create a "deal" when there was no "deal"

and always wins at games.

He loves to go new places and meet new people

but is still content to have movie night with just me.

He has taken risks in business but never with his food choices.

He orders the same thing from each restaurant menu every time.

He loves swiss chocolate

and bacon cheeseburgers

movies, fast cars, nice suits, having his back tickled and the beach

-not necessarily in that order.

He always walks in the door happy

and never asks "what did do you do all day?"

He tells stories-mostly true-about his childhood

and makes us laugh (and sometimes cringe).

Nobody can make me laugh like he does.

He is the one to give up his seat on the subway,

to stop to help a stranger in need

and open the door for me.

When he kneels and prays for our family

my heart swells with love.

I may even offer to tickle his back.

Mountain of a Man

Ivan Radman 

March 22, 1928-March 14, 2009

view obituary here

This coming Saturday will mark two weeks since the death of Jordan's dad, my father-in-law and my kid's "Pa." As death and funerals and a life lived have the tendency to do, I have found myself in a state of near constant reflection and introspection. This man was a huge presence in the lives of his family, his community, his missionaries, and his business associates. As Peter (Jordan's oldest brother) said, there was no insignificant contact. Everyone who met him remembered him. For good or bad, an encounter with Ivan, however insignificant or grand, was never to be forgotten. I have asked myself many times what it was that made those encounters so remarkable. And though my pool of memories is shallow in comparison to the vast ocean of the memories of my husband and his family, those memories include feeling as though he truly enjoyed my company. Jordan and I have been married for 20 years. Due to my own insecurities I spent many of those years questioning my value and worth in the eyes of my in-laws..with the exception of Ivan. I always knew where I stood. I always understood the expectation. And I always felt his genuine appreciation for any effort that I made. 

So now I wonder....did I make enough of an effort?  

The love that I feel for this family astounds me. But my fear in expressing and showing that love astounds me even more. Am I humble enough to accept the lessons this experience is trying to teach me and courageous enough to put them into practice? 

What will my legacy include? Although my encounters are minimal in comparison to the vast number of lives that Ivan has touched, I would love it if those that I do have the privilege of meeting might be able to know-really know-that I enjoyed their company.

photos by Sara Smylie. See more here and read more here.

A playdate with Sophie and cleaning out the spice cabinet

Sophie came to play yesterday.  {We} decided to clean out the spice cabinet. As you can see, it was a long overdue project.

A lot of the spices were a wedding gift. (That means they were over 20 years old!) Sophie decided it was time to use them for a better purpose. Like a spice bath for zebras.....

....or magic flying dust for frogs.

The mess we made to get here was horrendous, but this is the final result. (I keep opening the cupboard door to look at it-it feels so much better)

All day, Sophie kept saying, "We're having a lot of fun. My mom is taking a long time to get here, huh?" I'm pretty sure that meant, "What the heck is taking my mom so long to get here!?" All I know is that I am so grateful she did take forever. I mean, how else would I have learned that her dad has the biggest muscles because he eats healthy food like mac-n-cheese and hot cereal or that she recently was able to ride on a pink horse with a bright pink tail?

And speaking of bright pink....We seem to have an endless supply of red velvet cupcakes in this house.

Christian

That smile!

Knows how to melt your heart

His own heart is tender and generous

Loves people 

Looks you in the eyes when he talks to you

Is sincere and genuine

Knows how to get what he wants

Usually that means by working hard

and never giving up

Loves golf

and skiing

and tennis

and jumping off the roof onto the tramp

Is a good friend

and texter

Is a lover of music

Keeps his room clean 

and is always willing to help

Has a great sense of humor

And a high pitch whistle

That could drive a person to madness

Loves his family

Desires what is right and good

Is loved beyond belief

Happy Birthday Christian

Dear Christian,

We gathered last night to celebrate your 15th birthday. I can't believe it's been 15 years since you were born. Your first year of life seemed to last forever but time has accelerated at warp speed since then.  It seems like just yesterday you were the inconsolable baby that wouldn't even let me take a shower without crying. You seemed to need me more than any of your siblings. I think I needed 

you right back. As a preschooler, you talked incessantly. You said the funniest things.  At 15, you say a lot less. I find myself missing those days when you would talk my ear off. Thankfully, you are not too old or too cool to tell me you love me every time you leave the house.  I pray that day never comes, but either way I hope you always know, that I love you too.

Love,

Mom

Does Red Velvet cupcake batter stain?

I've missed this little cutie. Jilly helped me make Valentine's Day cupcakes a while ago. Nothing like a two year old to remind you of the little joys there are to be experienced in life. For instance....

1. Pouring

2. Turing the mixer on and off at will

3. Licking the batter-off the beaters, off the bowl and even off the measuring spoons.

So...here's a " pick-me-up "challenge (oh, wait-I'm assuming YOU needed one too-sorry for trying to transfer my feelings onto you-So..note to SELF...): Make a treat and lick the beaters-with joy.