Because sometimes I appreciate them more when they're not in motion

Maybe that's why I love having pictures done of my kids.

I can look at them in these still photos and sigh...

and then remember that in real life

they're funny

they're active

they're LOUD

they're silly

they're disruptive

they're big beefs

they're monkeys

they're very much kids

they're sometimes rude

they're ridiculous

they're hilariously funny

they're sometimes tender

they're full of drama

they're exhausting

they're the reason I sometimes feel crazy

they're the loves of my life

and they're mine (ours).

Thank you, Em for capturing their personalities...you're amazing.

And now it's time to play blog catch-up from the last two months blogging hiatus...

Memorial Days' Past

It was a grand Memorial Day Tradition in our family growing up to pay our respects to our Grandpa Menzie at the Los Angeles Veterans Cemetery. He died of cirrhosis of the liver when my Dad was just 18 years old in the VA hospital just down the street from his final resting spot.

We would take bets on who would find the grave site first...and make dibs on who would clean the overgrown grass off the face of it. And a fight would always ensue for who gets to take home the little flag that the scouts placed by the headstone prior to our visit. I don't think we ever missed a year...at least while all six of us kids were at home.

So these are some of the photos of Memorial Days past...yes, I know they are horribly cropped. I don't know how to get picasa to center them in the collage. His name was not "Ward," but Howard Yuille Menzie. He served in the US Army as a Master Sergent, as the stone suggests...and yes, we always wore poker faces for some reason. One can tell we didn't always want to be there and certainly didn't need 50 shots of the same event each year with the print camera, slide camera, SLR camera, AND video camera...not kidding. I think I've turned into my dad in the photo department. Sorry kids! I DO know your pain! You'll thank me for it later!

We always knew how special Memorial Day was...and were very keen on the sacrifice many made for our freedoms. It's a very large cemetery with headstones as far as the eye can see...a visual reminder. Although, I know many didn't fall in the line of fire, they all did their part to make our America what it is today.

We would then rush off to Titos Tacos...and sometimes go sit at the Marina (Del Rey) and watch the boats. It was especially cool when Memorial Day fell on Wayne's or my birthday (May 27th and May 31st respectively). Then we were sure to get first dibs on the flag...HA! May is a great month, isn't it?



While I haven't continued that Memorial Day Tradition since living here in So. Cal, we have taken our kids up and had the same photo-op and Titos experience. In fact, last time we did it was when the Escalade was broken into and my Nikon, among other things was stolen. The only photos on that stolen camera were of our cemetery stop. And so I insisted on a do-over with my little digital on the way home--HAD to get those 'next generation' pictures!!! (It was Sunday and we were coming from church in LA, thus the nice clothes:)

I Know In Whom I Trust

I was especially moved today in Curt's Gospel Doctrine class on the above topic. Trust, faith, perspective, affliction, trial, humility, and patience have been part of Heavenly Father's design for us this last year. I just felt great humility today in reflecting back on this last year. It was a year ago February 16th that I was put on strict bedrest with the first massive hemorrhage I experienced at 15 weeks preggers with Vivie. (bedrest from Feb 16-May 9 when she was born). Little did we know that staying pregnant would turn into such an ordeal. An ordeal that would literally take over our lives and make us see things in a different light...having us reach for answers, help, service, comfort, peace..exploring every possible outcome; experiencing sorrow, joy, pain, triumph, hope, and sacrifice along the way. I hold this experience very sacred. How blessed I feel that a year has come and gone, that our sweet 1 lb 12 oz Vivie is a now a 15 + lb healthy, strong, happy, capable, YUMMY, well, whole, and beautifully precious little girl. She is a miracle and I believe it's by no consequential design. I'm grateful for the trial that enabled Viviana to gain a body and complete our family.

Proverbs 3:5-6 brought me amazing comfort during the long hospital days and nights before & after Vivie's birth. There was a tremendous amount of unknowns we were facing. "Trust in the Lord with all thine heart and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct thy paths." It was like a light that went on. I didn't need an understanding of why this was happening. All I needed to do was give it ALL away to the Lord so He could carry & direct me. Pretty basic and simple principal...but at times tough to do.

I particularly remember the Neonatologist, Dr. Wight, coming upstairs to my hospital room when I was admitted to the hospital at 23 weeks. She spelled it all out for us. She didn't leave out the gruesome hard parts--very candid. I was strong through that conversation and unwavering in my outlook and hope. Several specialists gave us the option to abort...or to simply give up given the road ahead. They all wanted us to know what we were up against and the chances for this baby to live a normal and healthy life were almost nil., not to mention how risky the situation was for my health and wellness. With every week I could stay pregnant, the chances brightened, but still up until 28 weeks it looked grim. I'm grateful for the priesthood. I'm grateful for that spiritual element and Heavenly Father's hand that most of these physicians just don't believe in. The higher authority in the medical arena just isn't seen by some of these faithless physicians. In general, it's all statistics and hard data to them. (She was a 26 weeker).

Viviana's early days in that NICU was a missionary experience for all of us. People were astounded that she was our 6th and so much care was taken to dress up her 'condo' and make it a very personal and special experience for all those involved. Many were overcome by the spirit felt in her little space and were drawn to it. A few of the LDS nurses were able to 'field' questions from other nurses and bystanders about our faith as a result. We had several 'mini' discussions about our beliefs with the blessings that Curt was able to give Vivie during those 100 delicate days.

I could go on and on about our experience. The toughest day in my life was having to send my then 1 & 2 year old Izzie & Lexie away for 6 long weeks so that I could safely bring Vivie into this world. THAT is a great sacrifice for any mother no matter the reason. My point though is this: I have never felt as close to my Heavenly Father as I did during this particular trial. I know much of it was the fluff that was taken out of my life during this time enabling me to focus on the things that are the most important. Man, it's tough now to do those needful things everyday with all the 'noise' that surrounds me with six kids! What an opportunity I had to completely apply my trust in the Lord and experience great sacrifice, faith, love, and gratitude. I love my Heavenly Father, Christ, my family, and I LOVE MY Viviana Faith...with ALL my heart. I do KNOW in whom I trust. And I'm eternally grateful for that knowledge.

My Wedding Tag

Yeah, yeah, I'm on it. Only took like a month. I've been 'tagged' three times for this one and I figured it would be a good one to document! Happy Valentine's Day!!! And if I can get my scanner up and going I'll post some joyous wedding photos (I HATE our wedding pics---photographer stunk and I should have had a professional do my hair/make-up!!!!!)

1. Where did you meet your husband?
Yes, it's true...we are a BYU statistic. He first saw me as I was getting a tour of the 4th floor (BYUSA) ...totally checked me out (I tried to ignore him). He was the VP over all the clubs at BYU. We first formally met when he approved my budget for the preference dance that Amy Monahan and I volunteered to be in charge of.


2. First thing said:
In his head or out loud? You'll have to ask him that one! I don't remember.


3. First date:
October 16, 1993--Our mutual friend set us up (at his request I'm quite sure) right after the BYU v. Notre Dame football game. How fitting (if you know how BIG a fan he is of both teams)! Neither of us wanted to go-he wasn't feeling well and I just wasn't interested. It was like 10:30 at night---VERY late for a 'blind date.' We ended up going to Q-ball to play pool & air hockey --is that place still there?? Then we bought a gallon of ice cream, a couple of big spoons, and went to the park to have a bon fire with a mutual friend/date and just dug in...to the ice cream, that is. He thought I was a little piggy with the ice cream--turns out I am. Did I say I was not interested? Look what happens when you least expect it! Both of us were dating like 5 other people and he was the furthest thing from my radar.

4. First kiss:
He took me to see some lame movie--I think it was Robocop--not my forte for sure. Then we walked out to his car and he opened the door for me (he was always such a gentleman) and grabbed a white rose out of the backseat to give me...how could I resist after that? It was our 5th date (I was playing hard-to-get) and he TOTALLY planned that move-REAL swift, babe. Actually, before this time, I knew he was the one. In fact, after the 3rd date I came home, plopped myself on my bed and told my roommate that he was THE ONE and I knew we were going to get married...and this was before our 5th 'kissing' date...I guess I knew there was chemistry before I let him kiss me.


5. How long did you date?
A century by Mormon standards. Almost a year in real-people time. Engaged for only 2 1/2 months. That's the way to do it! And I have to say Curt is the KING of courting. He was always sending me flowers, bringing me chocolates, writing me love notes, leaving me things like a 1/2 eaten bag off cookies on my porch (because he got the munchies walking to my condo). He still 'courts' me 14 years later!

6. Where did you get engaged?
This is back when Curt was creative and known as 'fun-fun.' I have always liked baseball, so I was living at home in Oak Park, CA for the summer of '94. Curt drove down without me knowing and stayed with my best friend, Marla. She and her boyfriend at the time blindfolded me and drove me to this 'place', dis-oriented me and sat me down on a chair. (I figured it out cause I had to walk from the car over some grass across some dirt...hmmm, what could it be...a baseball diamond? Get it--he's giving me a diamond at a baseball diamond--which is my favorite sport . Cheesy, I know, but I'll always remember it!!) They sat me at home plate, then took off the blind fold. Here comes Curt walking across the field to meet me, gets down on one knee and pops the question. And what did I say? I told him I had irritable bowels. NICE!!!!! Long story. How romantic am I? I think that's even on the video that Mike Scott took of the whole event. (Marla's boyfriend at the time and Richard G's son).


7. Where were you married?
Salt Lake City Temple October 12, 1994 . We decided to get married during the middle of the semester (you know it's right...why wait?!!) so what better temple for BYU students. Certainly wasn't gonna be the Provo Temple! I received my endowments in LA though.


8. How did the reception go?
Glorious. We had it at my grandparent's clubhouse in Provo. Beautiful red shag carpet with charming chairs to match, gold lamay everything. Circa 1950...but we didn't care. It was OUR reception. And then two weeks later...reception in LA...two weeks later...reception in Tucson. It didn't ever end. THREE receptions...lots of loot but not a good idea. I violently puked over the Hoover Dam coming home from our AZ reception. I was deathly ill. Funny story...well, funny now.


9. Where did we go on our honeymoon?
Yeah, so this is the part where I got ticked. Why couldn't that creative streak transfer to the honeymoon? Ever since, I've been in charge of trip-planning. And it's not that this place was really THAT bad..it's just that we lived almost around the corner from this place and went there all the time before our honeymoon! He made me think we were flying somewhere. I thought it would be at least somewhere exotic and exciting with a beach. But nope. Drove through the canyon and parked our rears in Park City. We were at Stein Ericksons for the first few nights--I was allergic to their sheets. Fun times. Then we went to a B&B and what did he do ALL day Saturday? Watch football...completely should have known that every Saturday since then he'd be doing the same thing. But then again, I didn't expect anything different..I grew up with 5 brothers. What a great honeymoon! But he's more than made up for it since.


10. Do you have a song?
We had a wedding video made and there were a handful of songs on that...We've Only Just Begun (Carpenters--Karen's my all-time fav), and some other more hip ones from the 'era'. He liked Country...I detested it. I liked alternative...he thought my music was nuts. The Carpenters is an old time fav from growing up.

So now that you know about our beginnings, I tag anyone that wants to blog about it....because it's a great subject to blog about on Valentine's Day (especially if you'll be printing it out in a book later like me)!

Valentine's Conversation

My dear friend, Katie, wanted to hear my answers to these questions she had from some Valentine's conversation cards ...probably so she could laugh at me. So go ahead, read a little about 'me' and then blog your answers to the same questions if you want!

If you could go away by yourself for 3 days…disappear…where would you go and what would you do? I would go to a beach somewhere...anywhere (down the street or 4000 miles away--doesn't matter!) I'd sleep sleep sleep, be pampered at a spa, lie on the beach sipping mai-tai's, listening to the waves crash, feel the warm sand between my toes, sleep some more, and eat whatever I wanted. I honestly wouldn't care where---a beach in France, San Diego, Santa Barbara or Mexico--just a warm place with ambience & a posh place to sleep. No, really, my eye has been twitching for 10 years. I think I need some good zzzzz's!

If you could be on any reality TV show what would it be? It would be a blast doing 'The Amazing Race' to see tidbits of the world and then win a million dollars doing it...cause I would win, ya know (but sorry Curt, you couldn't be my winning partner. I'd do it with you in a heartbeat if we didn't care about winning!)

If you could have any superpower what would it be and why? I need two superpowers. The first one..."Duplication." I need a few of me so I can have my live-in "Alice". Is that too much to ask???! And the second one is "Flying" for sure. How cool would it be to just get somewhere, anywhere...fast. I have dreams that I fly- how exhilarating would that be?! I'll tell you when I paraglide in Seattle with Tallie in March (I wanted to 'fly' for my 30th bday but you guessed it, I was preggers. It's five years later and now Tallie's 30th, my 35th...so we're doing it!)

You just won the 200 million dollar lottery. What do you do with the money? The church won't accept tithing from lottery winnings, so I'd donate to BYU, start a charter school here, contribute to the missionary fund, set up a foundation/non-profit to help preemies and their families, pay off my mom's/sibling's mortgages and debts, buy homes for brothers/dad that don't have them, make sound investments, put $ in trusts for each of our kids and future grandkids, send Curt on tour with the Notre Dame & BYU football teams, buy him a Bimmer, buy myself a porsche & a beach house, as well as a farm in Provence, France; Be the first donation to start my mom's non-profit foundation, "Angels Anonymous", take my family on a trip around the world, decorate until my heart's content, buy a jet so my 2 pilot brothers can be employed for life and take me and my fam wherever we want to go, send $$$ anonymously to those I know are in need, travel, travel, travel...and so much more. Oh, I'd pay for Josh Groban to sing me to sleep every night! I really wouldn't want to win the 200 million dollar lottery though---I think it ruins people and I've never actually played the lottery, but it's fun to dream!

What is your favorite love song and why? I actually don't have ONE favorite. But I have favorite love song artists. I love all of Josh Groban's, Journey, REO Speedwagon, Air Supply, Chicago, Carpenters...all for different reasons. They remind me of my honey and also remind me of different stages in my life.

If you could pick any actor/actress to play you in the story of your life who would it be? Jane Seymour...because she's classy, appears to be a balanced mom, has great hair, and if you know me, my all-time favorite movie is "Somewhere in Time" and she's the star. The great accent doesn't hurt either---and it would be a really great way to introduce her to my faith. Yeah...she is kind of older though.

What is the one thing you know you’ll regret if you never do it? Cherish every day (okay, well, most days) with my kids at every stage in life. I want to always remember the smell and cooing of sweet Vivie; the dancing moves, pitter-patter and funnies that flow from Izzie; the sweetness of my Lexie while we rock and rock and the way she sings; the quirky tenderness of Monson (yes, he's a very tender boy); the long tales, spunk and helpfulness of my McKenzie; and the passion and emotion of Brayden when I tell him "I'll love you forever, I"ll like you for always, as long as I'm living, my baby you'll be." He cries every time. And the deep devotion and passion of Curt...even when I appear to not appreciate it--I do.

What is your dream job? Besides being a wife to my one-and-only and mom to six? NOTHING. I will go back to school though and pursue another degree in time...I think knowledge and continued education is so important. But my job now trumps anything else I could ever do.

If you could invite 5 people to dinner dead or alive who would they be? Emma Smith (wife of Joseph Smith), Mary (the mother of Jesus), Reddin Allred (my ggg gpa and convert to the LDS church and friend of Joseph Smith), William McLaughlin (Curt's father), and I'd want Curt there too...so that makes five.

If could only eat one treat the rest of your life what would it be? Dark chocolate...in all its forms (plain, truffles, cakes, ice cream, fudge, etc etc). Can you tell it's been a a while since I've had it???? Can't wait until Valentine's Dessert!!!

The Little White Dress

McKenzie, Alexandra, Isabella, & Viviana

I was going through all of our pictures and wanted to compare all my girls in the little white blessing dress my mom made 8 1/2 years ago for all her granddaughters to use. My girls are the only ones that ended up using it for which I'm grateful (sorry sistas!!!) because now we can have this beautiful handmade dress as an heirloom for our family.
It was a labor of love as many many hours went into making it while we lived in "yucky yucky, Arizona, just outside of Phoenix" (What Brayden used to call Gilbert, AZ).
Izzie and Lexie both looked at their pictures this afternoon and thought they were Viviana. I'm kind of surprised myself who looks the most alike--at least by the facial expression.


Can you tell who is whom?