Count Your Blessings

Last night Mike had the brilliant idea that we should make a long list of our blessings, as a family. Would you believe we got to 152? (before it started getting just plain silly)

Sydney's contributions included such things as "clean water" and "trees that give us oxygen."
Amen, sister! Berkeley is thankful for such things as all the systems of the body, listed individually of course, and books. Maia is thankful for her family and her buddy Hannah. Sam is thankful for prayer, his body, his bike and his ripstick.

Among other things, I am thankful for our church leader, President Dalton, for helping us think about what we are thankful for. We had such a wonderful stake conference on Sunday. The main theme being that it is hard to be angry or discouraged when we look at the many blessings that grace our lives. Even our trials are sent to strengthen and refine us. Life is good. God is great.

Feliz Cumpleanos, that's how they say it in Spain

Happy, Happy Birthday, Berkeley Dear. Oh, sorry... Burquellii dear. Happy days will come to you all year. If I had one wish then it would be, a happy, happy birthday to you from me.

I love this kid. This teenage kid. Who will get a drivers permit a short 2 years from now. And then date girls a year later. Then graduate and move away. Forever. (Insert "cats and the cradle" chorus.)

Okay, back to me. Do you all ever feel like you don't even look at your kids properly? Like they are an extension of yourself and not their own person? But then there are these moments when they are so original or interesting or deep and you realize, this is a person, and I am privileged to know him, let alone parent him.

It's great knowing you, Berk. (And I hope you don't take the whole "extension" thing the wrong way, you know, like a whiny teenager might do.)

"It's a Brendacentric Universe"

Once when I was at the doctor's office, the nurse mentioned her teenage son. I responded with genuine amazement: "no way are you old enough to have a teenager." Long pause. "I had him when I was fifteen." Long pause. "Soooo.....you're NOT old enough to have a teenager." Nervous laughter.

So on Saturday I am going to become the mother of a teenager. A teenager I had when I was 23. I have contemplated, just for fun, telling people I had him when I was fifteen. Because I really enjoy nervous laughter (when it's not my own).

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When we were in college, Mike and my roommates coined the popular phrase "It's a Brendacentric universe." I'm sure they meant it in the best possible way--being the devoted fans they were and are. Of me. Brenda. Center of the universe. The type of mom who will post about herself instead of writing a tribute to this amazing kid turning thirteen on Saturday...

More to come...

Tulip Fest

Sydney wrote in her journal today about the Tulip Farm:
"I went to the tulip farm. It was fun. I liked the cow ride. I loved it."
So perhaps I should leave it at that.
And refrain from editorializing on the crazy long drive, the heat, the cost of carnival rides, the lines (even for the portapotty), the exhaustion, and the sunburn.
It was fun. I loved it.

I've lost that bloggin' feelin'

I feel I should apologize, even though, really, who cares? I just haven't blogged in awhile, okay? I have my reasons.

But if I had blogged, I would have told you all about my feelings on the stupidity of the celebration of GREEN, in other words, St. Patrick's Day. Can I get a shout out from anyone who is annoyed by the superfluity and frivolity, and who is offended by the very existence of products related to St. Patrick's Day? Let's hear it. And how amusing that it should fall so close to Easter, so that there is a veritable collision between the shamrocks and the bunnies in all the seasonal aisles of stores. (See, aren't you glad I didn't blog about it? I'm March 17th's answer to the Grinch.) Then I would have gone on Charlie Brown style, a mere 6 days later to blog about my grief over the commercialization of Easter, and then my grief over my OWN spiral to hell in a pastel colored handbasket. Because at the end of the day, who can resist the fluffy bunny ears? Not me. I'm such a hypocrite.

But a few notable things have happened, that got me back on the bloggin' train. The peeps torture was a highlight of the Easter aftermath. Thanks, Bridget. I feel now that Sam's airsoft gun has fulfilled the measure of it's creation. (Hmm, still don't know how to add a link. Somebody come show me.) Bridget has pictures.

Sam broke his thumb on this cursed rip-stick, then jumped back on it the next day to try some "sweet new tricks."

Sydney graduated to Sam's bike and Maia almost learned to ride Syd's bike. Can you hear the chanting? "go Maia, go Maia, go Maia." I love the team effort.

I've been forgetting my camera everywhere we go. Silver Creek Falls (with my sib's Sheryl's and Neil's family, and of course mom and dad in their RV) was beautiful--amazingly rain-free. But cold. Then a night in Corvallis with the folks. Got to see my other brother Ken, who is thankfully recovering from a crazy-long bout of vertigo. Also got to see a highschool BFF I haven't seen in 15ish years. (Thanks for not lurking, Dale, despite your disdain for blogs.) Then on to Lincoln City where we experienced all manner of weather: hail, rain, hail, incandescent sunshine, hail, WIND, hail. Did I mention hail? Sam stood outside the window pretending to be a newscaster who gets swept away during the newscast. That got so many laughs that he did it about 87 more times.

And we're home, doing laundry and repacking, so we can get up early and brave the snowstorms between here and Bend. Hmmm..."winter snow watch." Maybe we'll stay home.

Happy Almost-40th!!!

Just kidding. Mike is 38 today and he is being such a great sport. He was going through a slump earlier in the week, so I planned a fun trip to make him feel young again. We stayed at McMennamin's Edgefield last night, caught some live music, ate great desserts, got up early and cross country skied the Teacup Lake 6 mile loop. The reason I call him such a great sport is that I'm the one who loves funky hotels, live music, great desserts and cross country skiing. It didn't even dawn on me until today that I planned my ideal getaway, instead of his. So what's his ideal getaway? He just wants to do anything I want to do. That's why I love him. (Side story: the other day I asked him which celebrity he would most like to meet. His quick response was, "If you were with me, Alan Alda, because I know how much you like him. If I were alone...nobody comes to mind.") He even happily left the live music as soon as I declared it "too country" (sorry Darilee) and shared his creme brulee when I liked it more than my bread pudding. And when I realized I forgot to pack my snowpants, he insisted I wear his. Wow. What a champ.

The girls have been sorely vexed all week because we didn't know what to get Mike for his birthday. Maia helpfully suggested "How about a new truck? Me and all my imaginary friends think a new truck would be good." She asked him outright what he wants and he said he just wanted some time with his family. Maia was concerned "but we can't wrap that, Daddy." Of course the kids knew my get-away plans, so Sydney gently let me know later that Mike meant he wants time with everybody, not just me. Needless to say, we hurried home from skiing so we could do some family things, including dinner at Chevy's and some fabulous treats at home, compliments of some dear friends. Thank you Heidi, for remembering Mike's favorite pie (and caring enough to make it!). And Nathan, for the fancy drink. When Sam saw the bottle (and verified that it was non-alcoholic) he said "I just feel like this is going to be a great day."

Happy Birthday, Mike!!!
Love ya!

Happy Birthday, Dear Sammy, Happy Birthday to You!

9 years ago I held my little Samuel Grant and swore nobody would ever call him "Sammy."
Oh, well. It's been a great nine years, kid. You bring excitement into every day. I never know what you're going to think of next. Great job putting your new bike together--I'm sorry I even suggested you might want to wait for daddy to get home. And yes, the pegs are sweet.

Here is my favorite gift-find. Sammy's been collecting state quarters, thanks to Grandma Andrus, so I found this super cool collector's folder/map at Amazon. $8. (Okay, so I guess I still don't know how to add a link.) It's full of details about each state. The kids gathered round and enjoyed it together, except Maia who wasn't fully awake.

my brother can run farther than your brother

Okay, I stole that title from Berkeley's "my uncle can run farther than your uncle" post. But my brother, Neil Olsen, yes, THE Neil Olsen, won the Hagg Lake 50 K on Saturday (and set a course record), so I just have to brag, even though I personally can't run more than a few miles. 50 kilometers is like... a LOT, more than a marathon, about 30 miles? And he kept a 7:20 pace, on muddy trails. Crazy. Here he is, presumably about to pass this joker in yellow. Or maybe yellow man is doing the 25 K. Anyway, Neil is in white.

Stay tuned for his first 100 mile race, the Western States 100, in June. For pete's sake, Neil, start a blog! http://roguevalleyrunners.blogspot.com/2008/02/hagg-lake-50-kilometer-trail-race.html

A cautionary tale

You all know me to be an IKEA evangelist--I love the whole concept and culture. Flat boxes, do-it-yourself. Storage. Small spaces. I also love to mix my pepsi with lingnon berry juice, and I love a cup of meatballs. Well, today IKEA finally let me down.

I went this morning expressly for the purpose of buying ONE thing, a rope ladder for Sam. It's his birthday tomorrow, and he needs a way to get up to his newly-elevated bed (hmm, I should photograph it, but he's sleeping). This would have been his ideal gift. He would have thrown his arms around me--at least that's how I imagined it. Anyway, it's a bit of a drive to go to IKEA for just one thing, especially since I know I have to go back to get the shelves to complete our new garage unit, which were "temporarily out of stock," but were supposed to come in a few days. Alas, the rope ladder was "temporarily oversold." (Is there a distinction between out of stock and oversold? I feel they are blaming us, the consumer, in the latter. Or maybe the checker, who shouldn't have been doing the overselling. I haven't figured it out.)

There is a moral to this story: Online stock check. I called Mike in dismay. He got on the website and said, "yep, they're out of rope ladders" (thanks, Mike) "and incidentally, the shelves are in."

The day wasn't a total waste: the girls had a blast, as usual, trying out all the chairs and beds. Sydney said out loud, but to herself, "this place is a dream," and I said "I've always wanted to live in a dream" (See Corduroy). And the highlight was a Merilyn (or is it Darilee?) sighting. I just love those hip chicas. Hope they had better luck today. And hope they blog about it.

Will you be my valentine? And you, and you, and you, and you?

A few years ago I realized Valentine's day is for kids. They get into it so much more than I do, so why not give in and make it totally about them? So we have a tradition of making a fancy, romantic dinner all afternoon, getting dressed up and "surprising" dad when he gets home from work. And after that, chocolate fondue is pretty much required, with donuts, strawberries, bananas, mandarin oranges, pineapple, and marshmallows. And we all get a little "sauced," and end up laughing our heads off. Then Mike helps clean up and goes off to his meetings. Very romantic. I put the kids down and watch TV, then read a book, then doze off. Everybody is happy.

So how did you celebrate Valentine's day? And I won't even be sad or jealous if you did some magical couple thing with your Valentine. (Just don't give too many details.) I'm so at peace with having 5 Valentines.

Quote of the Day

I actually met Greg Mortensen today when he spoke at Lakeridge High school (thanks for the "in" Allyn). He signed my copy of THREE CUPS OF TEA with the phrase "Listen to the wind." He signed my friend's copy with "When your heart speaks, take good notes." He showed slides and spoke in a very unassuming manner about his impressive career fighting the poverty in Pakistan and Afghanistan, and his mission building schools and educating children. His main theme was that education will lead to peace. Which leads to the quote du jour:

"Fighting terrorism is based on fear; promoting peace is based on hope. There is a big difference."

He just said that off the cuff, and I scribbled it down. He visited several times the topic of spending so much on military, instead of schools. I had never thought about the strong connection between ignorance and hate (the extremist schools prey on poor disenfranchised boys and give them a purpose)--verses the connection between fair education and tolerance/peace.

Check him out: http://www.threecupsoftea.com/AboutGreg.php

Standing For Something

"With all that is going on, it is plainly evident that both the great good and the terrible evil found in the world today are the sweet and the bitter fruits of the rearing of yesterday's children. The evils of the world will continue to escalate unless there is an underlying acknowledgment, even a strong and fervent conviction, that the family is an instrument of the Almighty."
President Gordon B. Hinckley

My New Year's resolution was to have a "devotional moment" with my children every day. Sometimes it happens in the car, sometimes not all 4 kids are present, sometimes it doesn't happen. But when it does, it feels great. It usually starts with something like, "I just want you guys to know I'm so grateful for repentance. Here is what I was reading about repentance today..." I just want my children to know that my testimony is part of who I am, fundamentally. I want us to talk of Christ, rejoice in Christ, all the time. I want it to be a natural part of daily discussions in our home. Rather than a tacked-on part of the day. So that's my goal.

President Hinckley really helped us understand, as a culture, how much peril our families face. It's so easy to slip into the stupor of our comfortable lives, but rough times are ahead, especially for our children. I hope mine know where I stand. And I hope they feel the safety of the walls of this home.

Too young for a sleep-over?

These little girls are ready for the teenage world of late night whispers and giggles (well, 9:45). They were so excited to get in bed and have their "sleep-over," but then they were out before I could tuck them in.

Maia slept over at Emily's last weekend so we could go night skiing. We wanted to return the favor and have Emily for a pseudo "sleep-over." I had to get evasive when they started asking about breakfast plans. Emily's dad picked her up about 10 minutes after they fell asleep. Can she come back in time for breakfast?

Teacup Lake

So I have to confess, I never saw a lake.

I was too busy racing to keep up with the Raddatz sisters, who are super-women. But I am afraid I am one of those people who tends to miss the scenery anyway. I was loving the workout, the conversation, and the get-away factor. And the feel of the forest. What a serene place--I just feel more alive when I'm in a forest. It feeds me.

Pictured are Allyn, Heather-the-birthday-girl, and me.

Ladies, we need to wax up those skies and go again!

15 long years

Mike and I just celebrated our anniversary with a getaway at the scenic Oregon coast, thanks to my parents who so willingly babysat the kids.

I don't remember the last time I felt so relaxed.
The in-room jacuzzi and fireplace turned me to jelly. We stayed at the Starfish Manor in Lincoln City--two thumbs up. We had killer omelets one morning at the Wildflower grill (1/4 mile east of McDonalds, on the 101). Mine was stuffed with crab and shimp, and topped with Hollandaise sauce. Yum. Mike kicked my butt at Scrabble, twice! We saw Juno, a Napoleon Dynamite-esque movie with a heart-wrenching plot. Hard to imagine? Go see it!!! I can't wait to get the soundtrack (hmmm, good Valentine's Day gift). We got Thai food at Andaman, another two thumbs up. Loved the coconut soup and baked mango dessert. I wish we could relive the experience every weekend, but the memories will have to suffice!

Oh, and the weather, everyone asks about the weather. We lucked out with very little wind and rain. In fact, we took a long walk at 9 pm one night which culminated with a quick dash into the waves (just up to the ankles). And we weren't the only crazies out there! We pondered the fact that in Oregon, it seems you have equal chance of good coast weather in winter and summer. So I'll never stop my kids from getting wet at the coast in winter. I did it growing up and it didn't hurt me! The water has to be about the same temp year round, eh?

I digress--Happy Anniversary to us! I love you, Mike.

When the Wee ones break out in song

It's just so sweet. This is Maia, Mylee, Hannah and Gretchen. I know you can't hardly see this video, and if you could you'd just see how repulsive my carpet is. I had to sneak up on them, and then there is a solo by Mylee when the others notice me and the camera.
Yes, Maia has tights tied around her head, dangling a drum tied at the other end, which she plays by bouncing her back off the wall. So creative. Why did no one ever think of that method before?

five little princesses

Maia, Gretchen, Hannah, Mylee, and Emily get together for a magical princess party. Thanks, Heidi, for putting it together. What beautiful girls we have!

Praying for a Snow Day

Mike and I were just watching the slushy rain/snow fall out our window, reminiscing. Weren't those snow days last year the BEST? Something magical about snow in the northwest--the way the whole world shuts down and you meet your neighbors. Our little girls are wondering when it will snow, and having grown up here, I have to say, it doesn't snow every year. Last year, we were particularly lucky to get so much. Here are Mike, Sam and I taking turns tearing it up on Mike's Ski Bike. He designed and built it. Whenever we bring it out, there is a crowd ready to try it. No brakes, though. That's the only flaw :0)

Let's talk about Costco

Me? I love Costco. I love the way they give their employees good wages, benefits, and holidays off. They are the anti-walmart, which is always a good thing in my book. But if I search my heart I know that what really keeps me coming is the polish dog and soda for $1.50. Can't beat it--well, unless you are IKEA--which is going to have to be a whole other post.

I always ask people what they buy at Costco. It's a store full of hidden treasures. Here are my two favorites, both recent discoveries. Thai rub--it's SO good. Put it on meat, hamburgers, stir it into soups or sauces. Spicy, but mellow. Uncooked tortillas--there is nothing better than watching the air bubble up inside of your fresh tortilla on the electric griddle. Fill it with freshly stir-fried meat and veggies, or top it with butter and cinnamon. Both thai rub and uncooked tortillas are found in the refrigerated deli section. Yum, yum.

So what do you buy at Costco?

Schizophrenic Brenda of Ten Years Ago

I read what Stephanie was up to 10 years ago (which is exactly what I was up to 20 years ago--thinking about boys). Her post and the turn of the new year puts me in mind of the Brenda of 1998. She was really something, I tell you.

So here goes--five things I was doing 10 years ago:
1. Mothering Berkeley, the most beautiful three-year-old boy the world had ever seen.
2. Teaching English 115 at BYU, which was probably the most educational and most fulfilling part of my master's program. I always had one or two classes of 20 shiny, eager freshmen to greet me each day. It was great.
3. Finishing and defending my Master's Thesis, entitled "Utopian Marriage in Nineteenth-Century America: Public and Private Discourse." I explored three communities which held alternatives to monogamy as their ideal: the Shakers, the Oneida Community, and the Mormons. I made a few waves with this. More like ripples, I guess.
4. Singing in the SLC-based alternative rock band, Gathering Osiris. These are the pictures from our second CD.
5. Moving to Oregon.

In fact, during the course of about 3 weeks I finished that CD, defended my thesis, played my last show with the band, packed and moved--all while having morning sickness.

So 1998 was a big year for me. I'm loving life in 2008, though. I'd like to go back for a day, but only a day.

I should add that Mike defended his thesis the day after I did, and he was also involved in the packing and moving. And he was a pretty good roadie and groupie. And an excellent dad. Kudos to him for putting up with schizophrenic Brenda.

Ten out of twenty-four

Ten out of twenty-four Andrus grandchildren appear in this picture at the cabin in Tahoe. We had so much fun building relationships and memories. Maia was reluctant to go--not sure about how a birthday and Christmas would play out away from home--but of course it was all just wonderful. We did a lot of eating, watching movies, and playing games. We also enjoyed some walks through the picturesque cabin neighborhood to the lake, sledding, iceskating and skiing. Oh, and Wii. Wii, Wii, and more Wii.

Thank you Grandpa and Grandma for making this happen!

"this is the funnest day of my life"

I count three times in the last week my sweet Sydney has bubbled over with the words "this is the funnest day of my life." #1 Iceskating #2 Skiing and #3, tonight on the way home from a New Year's Eve party. I'm glad she has such a fun life! Here's to you, Syd! Happy New Year.

okay, so I lied.

I came out of the blogging closet, no longer a lurker. I promised to update throughout my Lake Tahoe vacation. But then I got too busy, well, vacationing. That and the rental internet connection was spotty, at best. Now we're half-way home and I just feel the need to say a short hello. Our trip was wonderful. The kids are in love with their cousins: Camille, Richard, Austin, Catelyn, and Madelyn. And super cool BYU student BRAD, we all love Brad. We had a great time bonding, especially on the slopes at Alpine Meadows. Where I only fell ONCE, getting off a lift, with no witnesses except the operator, who got to see me slip UNDER the chair, and have it knock me down as I tried to escape. He stopped it so I could crawl out from underneath. That was my last solo run of the day, and it was amazing despite the fall. Then I picked Syd up from ski school and did a couple of runs with her on the gentlest slope. She loved it and did quite well as long as I was next to her, holding my poles out horizontal to the ground, for her to clutch. It was a test of my strength to keep her steady but it was so fun to see how she loves to go FAST! More to come.

and we have a winner!

Can I just tell you about the best Christmas treat that arrived at our house this year? I want the chef to come forward and give a detailed process instruction, but I'll give you the gist: tortillas, cut into snowflakes, deep fried, painted with melted white chocolate, then dusted with powdered sugar. They were both festive and fabulous, Miss Stephanie. And they stayed delectable right to the last bite, several days later. I enjoyed ALL the treats, of course, but these snowflakes were my main downfall this year.

How about you all? What were your favorite treats?

Bridget, here's to you!

Here's to you, and your infectious blogging enthusiasm. I've looked at maybe 3 blogs, like EVER, and now I'm starting one. I can't help feeling like I'll have nothing to say, but Darilyn assures me that's what makes it so great. So I'm going to go to bed and wait for inspiration. And I might need an emergency tutorial on how to fine tune this. Thanks, Bridget!
xoXXooxOO