Remember when...

Do not ask me why I ponder some of the things I do... it is a rare occasion that I even understand it myself! Apparently I either have too much time on my hands or not enough time with other "grown ups". Take your pick. Anyway. I found myself thinking back to the "good ol' days", and laughing to myself about all those little things we thought were soooo cool at the time. So. I ask you:

Do you remember when - - -

1. It was cool to tuck your pants into your socks?

2. We wore those super awesome leggings with the stirrups at the bottoms? (Which, of course, made #1 so much easier!)

3. New Kids on the Block were the hottest thing ever?

4. When we thought ratting ones bangs into unnaturally, ( therefore unattractive) heights was a GOOD idea?

5. Extra long t-shirts - pulled to one side - and knotted? (or, ahem, fashionably looped through one of those amazing plastic things!)

6. We knew NO ONE with a cell phone??!!

7. Glasses were always four times bigger than they really needed to be?

8. Banana clips (in various neon shades) were an acceptable accessory for your hair?

9. Flannels were all the rage.

10. Everyone older than us seemed to have it all figured out...and we couldn't wait to be older and cooler too??


Ahh, yes. If we only knew then what we know now. We'd say:

- - - You look like a dork. And don't be in such a rush to "grow up"!

cheap entertainment

So I'm a Pisces Now?

So. I read online today that the zodiac signs have been changed due to Earth slowly shifting on its axis over the past however many years... Huh. Interesting? Sure. I'm not much of a horoscope reader/follower, but I thought the concept of a completely different zodiac calendar was intriguing. I was once an Aries. Now I'm a Pisces?? Maybe I should start reading my "new" horoscope compared to my "old" one and see how closely they can "predict" my daily happenings...

Here are the new dates to correspond with each astrological sign. Is your sign the same or is it different?

Capricorn: Jan. 20 - Feb. 16
Aquarius: Feb. 16 - March 11
Pisces: March 11 - April 18
Aries: April 18 - May 13
Taurus: May 13 - June 21
Gemini: June 21 - July 20
Cancer: July 20 - Aug. 10
Leo: Aug. 10 - Sept. 16
Virgo: Sept. 16 - Oct. 30
Libra: Oct. 30 - Nov. 23
Scorpio: Nov. 23 - Nov. 29
**Ophiuchus: Nov. 29 - Dec. 17
Sagittarius: Dec. 17 - Jan. 20


**Apparently this sign was dropped by ancient Babylonians because they only wanted 12 signs, one for each month, instead of the 13. Again, interesting! How do they figure this stuff out?

A fly on the wall...

I wish I were better at writing things down in the moment, or at least within a decent time frame. During the usual daily rambunctiousness I know there are plenty of interesting phrases and conversations that have been heard and forgotten, but of course some are indeed unforgettable. A sampling? Here ya go- - - -

One morning over breakfast, Caleb and Brady had this discussion:

B: "Caleb, what are those big birds called? The ones with long necks?"

C: "You mean an ostrich??"

B: "Yeah! An ostrich.... How do you think you would catch an ostrich??"

after a brief pause to consider their options....

B: "I know. You could ride your bike and get it with a slingshot!"

C: "Or shoot it with a netting gun."

B: "Yeah. That would work."


A few choice Maija moments from the past few days:

"Hi sweetie." (referring to Mommy... it was an "awwww" moment.)

Insert an image of our girl complete with blond locks wildly tousled, wearing only a shirt, undies and socks... now imagine her doing her best NINJA pose:

"HIIIIIIII YAAAHH!!!"

Yesterday I made the mistake of asking Maija if she'd like to go on vacation with Mommy to the beach...

"YES! Go inna car, and go bye-bye! I wanna go bye-bye to the beach! Yes Mommy, let's go!!"

She has a hard time with 'V' sounds... they usually sound more like a 'B'.

"Bye, Daddy! Lub you!"


Today Maija was scribbling on some scratch paper... She was very intense about her swirls, lines, dots and dashes... When she was satisfied with her creation, she brought it over to show me.

M: "Look Mom!! Looka my colors!!"

Me: "Wow! Good job, honey!"

M: "Yep! Pretty sweet, huh?!!"

I really should just keep a notebook on the counter...

"I awake!"

This is how our day usually begins in the Saari house...


Maija, still in her crib:
*(the following "mommys" are easily and often interchangeable with "daddys". Just depends on the day!)

"Mooooommmmmyyyyyyyyy. I aaaaaaawaaaaake!"

Maija, still in her crib, awaiting a response:

"Mooooommmmmyyyyyyyyy. Whatcha dooooooooooooiiiinnnnn'?!"

Maija, still in her crib, still waiting for someone to rescue her:

"Hello??? Mooommmmmyyyy! Daaaaaaadddddyyyyyyy! I AAAAAWAAAAAKE!!"

By this time, which is really only a span of a minute and a half, if she has yet to rouse us from our cozy slumber... She has figured out the key to a speedy response:

"Moooooommmmmmyyyyyyyyy! I need to go peeeeeeeeee!"

Yep. That'll do it every time. She's a smart girl :)

this is good

There are times in life when you are able to stop and look around you and say, "this is good." And even though those times may not come as often as we'd like or need... it is important to hold onto that feeling when you are blessed with it...



Our children are growing, healthy, happy, smart, talented (each in their own unique ways), funny, and haven't had to face many hardships in their little lives thus far. This is good.

I have a husband that I love to the very depths of my being. I've loved this man for eleven years, and that love is always evolving - learning - strengthening. This is good.

I am able to call a handful of real and true, amazing, supportive, inspiring people my very dear friends... How I got to be so lucky in that department, I don't really know, but I am nonetheless so honored and thankful to have each of them in my life. This is good.

We have a family that loves us... Supports us... Good, bad or ugly. This is good.

There are an abundant number of lessons we have yet to learn or understand. Sometimes it may take a while for everything to become clear...but the hopeful part is, trying to figure it all out is worth the effort. This is good.

And although life, in general, is not exactly "perfect" or how I thought it would/should be... I am always grateful for everything I have been blessed with. The ups and downs, twists and turns, smiles and tears are what make it all an adventure. This is good.

Christmas in Pictures

Christmas was a full-on adventure this year! It was divided into three celebrations. First being at home with Grandpa Saari, Uncle David, Noah and the 5 of us! Then we traveled up North to Grandma and Grandpa O's house to share Christmas Eve/Day with them as well as the Gunderson crew and Great-Grandma Burton! After the hoopla in Talmoon - we had to head back home where we found that Santa had visited as well as Grandma and Grandpa Burak! I don't think the kids minded having three rounds of gifts... but I think the rest of us were pretty Christmased out!

*You'll have to bear with me... this is a loooooong post...there are A LOT of pictures.

The Saari Tree - 2010

Our annual tradition of baking & decorating

cut-out cookies!:

Christmas

Part I:

Noah... the goober

Please take a close look at this one...

Notice the tongues??

Like father, like son.

Brady has perfected the "present pose"

Caleb's first, "everyone has these", gift.

Deerskin choppers...

and so it begins.

Maija was a constant stream of

"OH BOY's!" "OH MY's!" and "WOW's!!!"

Hee hee hee....

The sneaky Mommy strikes again!

here is the real present:

Yep. That's a skateboard...

I see ER visits and limbs in casts in our future.

Christmas

Part II:

You must understand Brett's LOVE (SERIOUS love)

for the China Buffet in Grand Rapids

for you to understand the humor in this gift!

Poor Noah.

He had the tummy flu when we arrived...

SNUGGIES!

Mom & Dad each received a Snuggie this year.

They sparked a very entertaining conversation

about the unlimited possibilities

of future Snuggie products.

That Santa is so clever!

Grandma & Grandpa's new Wii

was thoroughly tested!

The Tuttle Treasure Box!

Thanks to Manda, Damon & Asher

for all the super fun stuff!

There was even time for a little ice fishing!

Christmas

Part III:

Hope you all had a very Merry Christmas

and a

Happy New Year!