Pencils, pages, petals: Happy Now--Summer 2018

Hello, again, blogging world! It feels so good to flex my fingers and get back to recording some of life's moments on this blog. It has been three and a half years since my last blog post, and so much has changed. Three beautiful, miraculous, and exhausting little women have joined our family, and there have been far too many Happy Now moments that have fallen through the cracks since then (see this post to read how Happy Now posts began). My hope is to return to capturing the small, happy moments on a weekly basis. For this first blog post back, however, I want to focus on ten big highlights from this past summer. It was definitely one for the books!

1. Family Road Trip: Provo--We kicked off our summer adventures with a family road trip through Utah, Idaho, and part of Wyoming. I have to admit I was a bit apprehensive about the whole "road trip" aspect of this adventure. I anticipated three restless girls and my responsibility to entertain them for hours on end in the car and my palms immediately began to sweat. That is part of the reason why, when we pulled into Provo the morning of June 30 after driving through the night from Gilbert, and the girls had actually SLEPT 90% of the time, I was overwhelmed with a sense of well-being and excitement. Provo will always hold a huge place in my heart. I was flooded with memories of the education I received, the life-long friends I made, and the beginning of my relationship with Darren. I suddenly could not wait to show the girls so much of what I loved there. We had an early breakfast at Kneaders, played at Kiwanis Park, walked around the beautiful BYU campus, and explored Provo Canyon until late afternoon. Darren and I shamelessly bought the girls BYU t-shirts AND hats in an effort to indoctrinate them while they are still young and impressionable. ;)

Jane (and Claire) at Kiwanis Park with Y Mountain in the background

Entering the Wilk

Paige finding love at the BYU Bookstore ;)

Paige and Jane in Provo Canyon sporting their stickers from the BYU library and new hats

A couple of days later we returned to Provo from where we were staying in Park City to have lunch with my dear friend, Melissa Thorne (one of those life-long friends I mentioned earlier). It was obvious the girls loved her just as much as I do. It was so wonderful to catch up with her!

2. Family Road Trip: Park City--We were excited to stay in Park City while we were in Utah. See this post for all of the reasons Park City is another special place for our family. While planning our trip, I discovered we would be in Park City at the same time another one of those dear friends, Shelley Thompson, and her family were visiting. We attended church with the Thompsons as well as Shelley's parents and some of her siblings. After church our family snapped some pre-July 4th pictures near Park City's iconic white barn (unfortunately Claire fell asleep in the car and slept through the photo shoot), and then we were invited over to Shelley's parents' house for a delicious lunch. Shelley and I met our freshman year at BYU, and I am so grateful for our friendship and the experience we now can have of watching our kids play together.

Before Church

Twirling

Shelley and me and the kids

Paige with Shelley's youngest, Emery

3. Family Road Trip: Bountiful--The opportunity to catch up with close friends didn't stop there. The Chaffees offered to host us for a picnic dinner at an amazing new park in Bountiful. The girls were in heaven with the park's water features, slides, climbing walls and swings. And as if that wasn't enough, they had five darling Chaffee girls with whom they played all evening. Again, watching Phil and Stephanie (who babysat me and Chris before any of their girls were born) and their family play with my daughters brought my heart pretty close to bursting. I walked away feeling so blessed for the friendships I enjoy.

4. Family Road Trip: Pocatello--From Utah we drove up to Idaho where we were able to spend time with some of Darren's family over the 4th of July. Angie and Scott were gracious enough to host us, and from the moment I walked through the door at the Cornelison's house I felt at home. Annalyse and Natalie scooped up their younger cousins and over the next several days bounced on the trampoline with them, watched movies with them, did their hair, let them play with their pets (which, I need to add, still has Paige and Jane constantly talking about wanting a dog just like Beau, a bunny, and a horse), fed them, and even put them to bed one night while Darren, Scott, Angie, and I went out to dinner. I was pretty much ready to clear a space for them in our car and give them a permanent room at our house. Even when the twins got food poisoning at a restaurant on our last day there, the Cornelisons were nothing short of angelic. They not only helped take care of the girls, they helped comfort me in the midst of the chaos (and mess). We are truly blessed.

Another big highlight of our time in Idaho was getting to see the new Myler farm with Joe and Alexis. They recently bought some beautiful land (on which they have done some amazing work), and it was fun to watch Darren introduce the girls to the farm and equipment. He was so in his element, and his enthusiasm for the outdoors was contagious. Joe and Alexis also hosted us for a couple of breakfasts and had a wonderful play area for the girls set up in their backyard. Everyone in the Myler family certainly knows how to make one feel loved and welcome!

Claire dancing with Grandpa Joe on our first afternoon in Idaho

Natalie and Annalyse with the girls

In Joe and Alexis's backyard on July 4th before heading to the parade.

Pocatello put on an impressive 4th of July parade (and fireworks show that night). I'm pretty sure the parade had the girls' vote when the participants started throwing out candy.

Darren introducing the twins to the dozer

Annalyse, Natalie, Angie, Me

Claire surveying the land and equipment...

Jane bouncing with Natalie at a trampoline park

Paige

Annalyse and Claire

Uncle Doug helped the girls feed carrots to the Cornelison's horses--a real highlight for them (and me!)

5. Family Road Trip: Jackson Hole--We couldn't come this close to Jackson Hole and not visit. Jackson Hole was where I found out I was pregnant with the twins and where they were born in April 2015. It was also while we were living in nearby Pinedale that I met my friend Kristal Bruce. A true kindred spirit if ever I have met one, she introduced us to the doctor that helped us get pregnant with the twins and has been an amazing support ever since. I was thrilled she could meet up with us for a few hours in Jackson--our trip would not have been complete without seeing her and her sweet Kinlyn (born three days before the twins). Though it had been three years since seeing her in person, it was like no time had passed. She has taught me so much about motherhood and facing trials with grace and faith. She's another testament to how truly blessed I am in the friend department.

Alexis captured this photo, and I'm so glad she did--walking to meet up with Kristal, all in a row. ;)

Paige pushing Kinlyn

We remembered a bookstore with an adorable kids' corner featuring a hollowed out tree for reading.

Outside of the hospital where the twins were born

Another huge treat was spontaneously showing up at the office of the doctor who delivered the twins and having her spare a minute to meet them (again)! I love Dr. Roberts!

If this family road trip did anything, it was to serve as a reminder of how grateful I should be for the people and places that have come into my life over the past several years. I am overwhelmed by that feeling again as I write this post. It also reminded me not to underestimate what the girls can handle when it comes to new experiences, and how blessed I am to have Darren as a supportive, sacrificing partner when the girls did eventually start to hit their limit toward the end. It was a trip I will long remember and hope to do again!

6. Claire's 2nd Birthday--Claire turned two ... TWO ... on July 16th. My mom joined our family for the festivities. Claire was the blessing we never saw coming, and she has filled our lives with so much sweetness, laughter, and sass over the past two years. We love you, Cubby!

Blowing out the candle on her bagel breakfast cake

We chose an oreo ice cream cake for Claire, and I'm pretty sure she (and her sisters ... and mom) enjoyed it!

"Reading" her cards from her sisters.

7. Huntington Beach Visit--Our last trip of the summer was to spend a week with my parents in Huntington Beach. Every morning began with a walk to the beach or a visit to a nearby playground. Every afternoon consisted of naps, playing in the perfect play area set up by my parents in their home, and pool time or another fun outing. My parents are saintly people who bent over backward to show the girls (and me) a wonderful time. How I miss summer days like this and spending such quality time with my parents.

8. Twins' First Mani/Pedis--The twins earned a date with Mom for following bedtime rules, and I decided to go big with their upcoming first day of school (ever!). I wasn't sure what they would think of the experience, but they embraced it full-heartedly (like mother, like daughters, I guess). They each chose colors for their fingers and toes and when the ladies painting their nails suggested glitter, the twins couldn't say "yes" fast enough. Oh how I love these girls, and look forward to many more dates like this in the future!

Jane's nails above, Paige's nails below

9. First Back to School Dinner--I have heard of this tradition for years and was so excited to finally have a reason to start it in our family. The dinner consisted of ABC 123 macaroni and cheese, apple juice, and ABC sugar cookies for dessert (nothing too fancy ... I was still the cook, after all). We also introduced our theme for the year found in Matthew 22.

10. Meet the Teacher/First Day of Preschool--I don't even know if I have the words to express the combination of emotions that I have felt sending the twins off to their first year of preschool. I am equal parts thrilled for them to be starting this education journey and experiencing all of the things they will be learning and completely overwhelmed with sentimentality and the sense of just how quickly time flies. The first picture shows how excited the twins were to meet their teacher, Mrs. Ellsworth, Monday, August 6. Meeting their teacher myself and seeing how she had set up her classroom made me so grateful their introduction to formal education will take place with her. And if the fact that since the first day of school on August 8 they have given me a kiss and run into the classroom is any indication, Paige and Jane feel the same way. Honestly, Claire and I have been the only ones to cry at school drop-off. To my Sweet P and Jane Bug, the world is a better place because of you, and I CAN NOT WAIT to see how you will continue to impact the world as your education helps expand your minds and deepen your skills. We love you!