when it was still october

I've never really gotten into Halloween all that much, but having a kid makes it more fun and having a 2-year-old who is starting to catch on to things like holidays is even better. We celebrated a couple times this year, and yesterday's celebration came with zumba, since we have several classes on Mondays. Our students came decked out in costumes to dance, brought friends, and really made classes so much fun. The people in this community are amazing and we're so lucky to know them. It felt rather appropriate to celebrate with my zumba family--the team members really feel like family to me, and I love that.

Zumba Gold class

Zumba class

 
please, pay no mind to the sweatiness--photos came after teaching 2 classes

Miss Sheri and Emory

E adores Sheri's kids, especially Mariah, and he was in heaving chasing them around the room after class

Sheri, me, Lara, Sandy, Juanita, Janita--love them all.

after class we headed to one of the local fire stations for hot dogs, treats, a haunted house through the garage, and driving the fire truck

upon returning home, our little Superman had to race his car all over the house to wear off some of his sugar energy
(no harm in trying to balance some of the sweet with a salty booger, right?)

Happy Halloween!

this one's for you, blake

Sean Kingston's "Beautiful Girls"

Dear Blake,

For whatever reason (and I'm sure you can gather some reason), you came to mind while posting today's song of the day. Also, we miss you, and Emory wanted me to tell you thanks for following up and he'll be checking in again. I'm sure you know what I mean.

Love,

your sister, Meghan

ps you all can find this guy at http://binkmi.tumblr.com/

today was maybe a repeat of yesterday

but then Jon's amazing internal jukebox hit next track and this is what he came up with:
Amazing Grace – Joshua James Song Lyrics

ps I know Joshua James; he dated my roommate when I was a sophomore in college. We spent many a night playing and laughing together. Also, I may or may not have his CD entitled Tree-side Memories, which he made before he got famous and became part of my itunes purchases.
pps I love Joshua's version of "Amazing Grace".

it's happening

Please forgive the dullness. This is my life as of late.

Our move is progressing thanks to Jessica, who has helped me pack dozens of boxes and organize like crazy these past couple days. It may not look like much now, but if you could see that the front column of boxes is actually the front of 3 columns, and if you knew how much rearranging we've done to get everything into our basement, you'd be impressed. Pretty much all we have left is clothing, kitchen paraphernalia, the bedding we're still using, and stuff that will go in our car, not the moving truck. The fact that I'm moving to Washington has yet to hit me. We'll see how I feel during crunch time.

happy thanksgiving!

(Pictured: Jon, Emory, Meghan, Megan Miller, Royce Porter, Rachel Miller Porter, Evelyn Miller, Barry Miller. Missing: Gareth and Shannon Borcherds.)

Tonight we're most grateful for wonderful friends who have become family to us here in Utah. It's such a blessing to feel so welcomed and so at home in the Miller's presence. We ate a fabulous Thanksgiving feast with them, which was quite fitting because this is the first year besides our missions we've spent away from our families, and it's the last year we will be here and able to share this tradition of bounty and blessings with some of the best, most humble people we know. We will miss the Miller family greatly when we move, and look forward to having them on our list of people to visit in Utah.

sometimes i make cake

For instance, this weekend, I made not one but two (count them: 1, 2) cakes in two days. Friday was our dear friend Rachel's birthday, so she and Lee came for dinner... and lemon cake. We're going to miss these wonderful people so much when we leave in a few weeks, so for now, we have to soak up all the time we can with them. And I have to say the lemon cake turned out fabulous... full of good zest and juice and topped with fresh vanilla bean whipped cream. Mmmm.

We rounded off the night with Emory helping Rachel open her gift. He handed her one minuscule piece of wrapping after the other, for an extra long, extra enjoyable process.

Then Saturday after we shared lemon cake leftovers with another dear friend, Cristina, we decided to spread the wealth a little more and make a decadent chocolate cake, topped with fresh chocolate whipped cream frosting. In other words, heaven. In fact, I need to go eat a piece right now so Jon doesn't finish it off when I'm gone this afternoon.

But before I indulge myself, I have to remind you all about my giveaway that ends tonight. One lucky winner will receive a $35 gift code to use for whatever they'd like... like cake pans... or Christmas. So go and enter! I'll announce the winner tomorrow. Until then, happy Monday and a most happy Thanksgiving week!

in need of a pick-me-up

This kid has been a challenge and a half for me this week, thinking he's done with naps at the ripe old age of not even 15 months. It's driving me crazy and has me thinking every day that I'm a terrible person for letting him spend hours upon hours of the day in his bed, trying to fall asleep and most often not succeeding. Or, in today's case, he fell asleep after 45 minutes of trying, only to sleep for 20 minutes and wake up screaming. All the stars were aligned for a good, long nap and it didn't happen. Emory ate a good breakfast, went on a not-too-cold run in the park (well, a stroller ride), came home and chased "Zee-Zee" (Paisley), played, had a good snack, actually consented to some snuggles, got dressed for the day, listened to two of his favorite books, etc., etc., etc.

What normally occurs is that the little man becomes such a sleep-deprived beast by late-afternoon or early-evening that he finally takes a nap a couple hours before bedtime (not at all the most convenient time) and then the cycle starts all over again the next day. What he doesn't know is that I'm devising an evil plan to keep him awake until an early bedtime tonight and then get up with him early enough tomorrow so he remembers at what time his nap is supposed to take place. Wish me luck.

(in these photos, he happens to be covered in lint from my weekend sewing project, and he looks like such a kid)

So, when Emory woke up cranky cranky cranky after 20 minutes today, I found myself wallowing in self-pity for the bajillionth time this week, wondering why my kid won't nap anymore. And then I remembered that I have a birthday gift I haven't put into use yet:

Isn't it gorgeous? Before Le Creuset existed Descoware, and Rachel, in her absolute thoughtfulness, along with Lee, gifted me with this true vintage, never-used gem. The truth is that I almost can't bear to use it and remove the original label. (It even came in its original box). But seriously, this beauty will be broken in really soon on some homemade French onion soup .

All of my gushing over my not-yet-used gift reminded me that I have something for you, dear friends. I've recently become acquainted with CSN online stores. They are a conglomeration of over 200 online stores selling everything from children's backbacks, to home improvment needs, to cookware. And I'm giving one lucky reader of my little blog a $35 gift code to use towards anything on the site. That's right, the fortunate soul who wins could even use that $35 towards purchasing a piece from the offspring of my beautiful, convertible Descoware. Or that money could be really useful for Christmas shopping, if you're like me and you have ideas but nothing yet purchased. To win, all you need to do is leave a comment on this post with advice to help me deal with my non-napping child or tell me what you'd like to purchase from CSN. I'll randomly choose a winner by Monday, November 22 at midnight. You have until then to comment... so tell all your friends and comment away!

today

loving this image, which I found thanks to this blog. yes, I'm a little excited to be flying there today.

I'm so grateful that we are flying to Seattle tomorrow in order to attend this adorable friend's wedding. Caryn is such a sincerely good person, really the salt of the earth, and I love her to pieces. Congratulations to Chris and Caryn!