Hurst Family News

Per request made by Oma I am updating our blog. Evidently 11 days is far too big of a gap. I agree. I just hadn't gotten around to it until now. Thanks for the prompting. :) Christmas this year was really nice. We stayed at home and had a quiet and mostly peaceful Christmas morning. I say mostly because when Ian figured out there was candy in everyone's stockings he thought it was ALL up for grabs. No go. I'm am a wee protective of my stocking candy- probably stemming back to the days of siblings and the need for bartering goods. I'll trade you this crunch bell for that peanut butter tree . How 'bout TWO crunch bells? The festivities began on Christmas Eve when I made my first real Christmas Dinner. May I just say it is hard to cook a ham and rolls and grandma's macaroni salad (I really need to come up with a cool name for it because those outside my immediate family don't know what to expect from that) and mashed potatoes and gravy (after ru...

So I've been thinking about Christmas Spirit lately. Appropriate seeing as we're a mere 9 days away at this point from the day of Christmas. When we celebrate Christ's birth. People who don't believe in Christ or that his birth was of great significance (or even real) still get into the spirit of the season. Santa encourages us to be nice and to think of others. I think the general good feelings that come during this time of year are due to the fact that more of us are thinking about Christ more often. Or at least more people are perhaps thinking more Christlike and thinking of others. Whichever the case may be, it's more pleasant to see the kindness. It's so easy to get caught up in the selfish gimmie gimmies of gifts. What I need- what I want. Me me me. It makes me think of another time- NOT Christmas where I felt like there was perhaps a little more togetherness. Right after the attacks on the World Trade Center in New York on September 11th 2001 i...

...I am trying to ignore the fact that my head feels like it may, at any given moment, explode. ...I'm watching Ian play with his blocks and trying desperately to keep his little brother from playing with them too. He's building a train-something-or-other. I think it's supposed to be a train depot like on Thomas the Train. ...Landon is practising sky-diving. At least that's what it looks like. He can't crawl yet but you still have to keep an eye on him. He rolls and manages to get around somehow. ...Sean is sitting in Church all alone :( The little boys and I are ditching church (sinners!)--well Ian was sick and now I am too. ...I am wishing I had an appetite for the fudge I made yesterday. My dry HoneyNut Cheerios were enough for me this morning. ...I'm thinking about Christmas gifts and what craftiness needs to go into some of them. For obvious reasons I cannot elaborate here just yet. ...I'm looking forward to our vacation this summer. And to a t...

We were introduced to a website called StarFall.com . It is a great website to teach kids their ABC (as well as other options I haven't looked at. Ian loves the place and continually wants to do "Ay-Be-Shees". Well, for the longest time, he would just click-click-click no matter where the cursor was. I patiently (debatable) tried to show him how the movements of the cursor coincide with the movements of the mouse, but he would usually move the mouse so fast that it would be from one side of the screen to the other in no time. This meant that most of the time we had to place the mouse, tell him not to move it and to "click" it. This morning, he wanted to get on to "Ay-Be-Shees" so I let him. He seemed to be getting lucky, because I continued to here it spout off the ABC's, etc. Then I realized he could actually use the mouse. He could get it where he wanted and click. I immediately took the following video. -Sean-

I found this on a friend's blog and thought it might be fun.  We'll see how long it takes Sean to notice I've even blogged. tee hee hee. -How long have you been married? 3years, and almost 9 months -How long did you date? Well from our first date in May to when we got engaged in October- 5 months...but most of those we were apart and not really dating.  Just chatting.  Technically September to October: a month until we got engaged. -How old is he? 26 and a half -Who eats more sweets? Me. By far. I have a sweet tooth like you wouldn't believe.  Sean would usually rather have chips and salsa over goodies. -Who said I love you first? Me. At 3 Peaks. Sean did say it back. (By the way that is also where he proposed...good idea mister) -Who is taller? Sean - Who can sing better? I'd say me. But I love to hear him sing, especially to the boys. There is something so pure about singing. - Who is smarter? Sean is. I have my own strengths. (If you go by grades I'...

Take a look at this:  Do you see what I see? I spy with my little eye two sleepy boys.  Don't believe me? See for yourself: When I went to put Landon in bed (in his crib) I found big brother hiding/asleep on the floor.  What the heck, at least he's asleep.  Or so I thought.  When I brought the camera out to take this shot he kind of woke up and told me he was playing hide and seek.  I offered him his pillow and he fell right back asleep. Go figure.

Let's start with one of my favorite parts of My Best Friend's Wedding .  If you haven't seen it;  I'm sorry.  It's one of my all time favorites.  Julianne Potter(Played by Julia Roberts) : George, I didn't tell you my dress was lavender. George Downes(Played by Rupert Everett) --you have to hear it in a Gay British Male Accent : Suddenly, a familiar song. And, you're off your chair in one, exquisite movement... wondering, searching, sniffing the wind like a dapple deer. Has God heard your little prayer? Will Cinderella dance again? And then, suddenly, the crowds part and there he is: sleek, stylish... radiant with charisma. Bizarrely, he's on the telephone. But then, so are you. And then he comes towards you... the moves of a jungle cat. Although you quite correctly sense that he is... gay... like most devastatingly handsome single men of his age are, you think... what the heck. Life goes on. Maybe there won't be marriage... maybe there won't ...

Now I'm sure you've heard of the house that Jack built. Well this is the cake that Trish built. A lot of man (woman) hours went into it but it sure looks AWESOME! Oh and did I mention she's never taken a cake decorating class or anything.  Just figured it out. The boys took the beads off once before the wedding but Trish worked her magic and fixed it.  At least the fondant doesn't let the little kids swipe frosting like in weddings past. Next up is the happy couple.  (I caught them a bit off guard) Mr. & Mrs. Tyler and Nikki Bunting. (Notice the beautiful swag on the arch...I made that and Sean did the black scarf draping. Man of many talents.) Now check out the likeness of these two in clay form.  Crazy huh? Flowers, jewelry, detailed dress and all.  (Also notice the cute vase with limes an hot pink Gerber daisies behind the cake. Very cute and very Nikki.) A little bit closer now: A lady in my in law's ward made it.  Amazing.  A LO...

One big happy family.  Well that's as close to a smile as we were going to get from Ian due to delayed nap-time. For not getting much sleep this past weekend Ian was very well behaved....mostly.  I was hoping to get a good family shot to blow up and put on our wall.  Maybe next photo opp.  As promised: Me in my wicked-sweet-great-deal of a dress.  Church hallways weren't exactly made for modeling but hey, you do what you can with what you have.  Notice my hot pink flats.  I would have liked to wear heels but this is what I had and my feet thanked me by the end of the night.  Awww. Cute. Check out Sean's tie.  That's right.  I made it.  It is pretty cool.  Thankyouverymuch. And the show stealers.  Ian didn't like it when I took Landon from him.  "Lalow- sit." So here they are watching "Bolt" together. Well this is acutally them cheesing for the camera. THIS: ...is Ian, Landon, Kaden and Sean all watchin...

I'm totally stoaked.  I don't use those words lightly my friends.  I have been told before that I know how to get a good deal.  It's true.  This is proof.  See this? I got this dress for a mere $15.  (No that is obviously not me in the picture) Mine is black (this one is brown) and I will be wearing it with a black shirt underneath to bring the modesty standards of the dress up to par and a hot pink ribbon with the sash for pizzaz.  Uber-cute.  I LOVE it. And I got a killer deal to boot! So excited! The dress is a Mori Lee by Madeline Garnder .  Now that may not mean much to you.  It didn't really mean a whole lot to me either but I googled it and found the site.  Love the style of most of the dresses on the site (all rather similar to this).  But after touching the fabric and seeing the dress I could tell it is A) well made B) high quality fabric (oh so yummy) and C) expensive--especially on a budget of next to nothing....

What's the difference between an idiot and a lunatic?  Basically a lunatic is a one time case of non compos mentis (latin term meaning not having command of one's mind) and an idiot is a lack of mental facilities- thus long term non compos mentis.  Somewhat like the phrase "Ignorance can be fixed- stupid is forever" Lunatic is just a phase- Idiot is forever.  Just in case you were wondering what the legal definitions were.  I'm no lawyer and I don't pretend to be- I was simply curious after reading a local municipal code explaining that people can still be considered attached to a crime if they told an idiot or lunatic to do it.  I didn't know those were acutal legal terms.  They are.  So the next time you call someone an idiot.  Think twice.  Chances are they are simply a lunatic that wants you to think they are an idiot so they can get away with more.  Note: the picture is the half-wit from 10th Kingdom... I did not find a legal def...

Flip Flop Flee- Everybody's Running to the Coconut Tree! Ian is enjoying learning letters. He loves Chicka Chicka Boom Boom and the Starfall website.  Cousin Nathan told us about it and Ian thinks it is AWESOME! I have to help him navigate the mouse and he gets a little click happy but he loves the site and learning about the letters.  If you have little ones or know little ones- check it out.

Layla Grayce Blanket Set GUEST GIVEAWAY!!!! Don't these blankees look super nummy soft??? Always in the mood for a little inspiration.

One down I don't know how many to go.  I finished making one gift today.  Now I can't tell you what it is except to say that I've been feeling a bit crafty.  While Christie was here we managed one project together and that kindled the crafty fire.  I have ideas but the time and means to do what I am envisioning is not readily accessible.  That's ok.  Necessity is the mother of invention right?  Maybe poverty is the mother of creative solutions.  Either way I'll work with what I have.  So I know we haven't had Thanksgiving yet but everyone is already thinking about Christmas so I might as well too.  (I have to have some of Christmas stuff done BEFORE Thanksgiving so really it's just me being practical).  I have mixed emotions every year about Christmas.  We are all expected to give gifts and the consumerism is off the charts this time of year.  I love finding gifts for others but I have a hard time with expectations....

Thank you all for your concern.  I've calmed down now and still feel the sting of injustice but I'm feeling better.  Yesterday was a bad day all around and I'm hoping today is better.  (The Medicaid office is closed on Fridays so I won't have to deal with any of that.)  I appreciate those of you who were concerned about our family (or my mental health :) )  Today is a new day.  There are a lot of things to do so let's hope I can get some of them accomplished.  Billy Joel here I come.  (Billy Joel helps me clean.)

The fire has died down a little and I'm not spitting mad- but just barely. I need to vent (how's that for a disclaimer) I am So SICK of the government runaround and bullying! I am an honest hard working person who gets things done when they are supposed to be done. So why does medicaid (read the powers that be) feel the need to bully me into doing stuff. I'm so tired of them sending me threat notes "If you don't get this all in by 6 pm we're closing your case"--So I make darn sure the paper gets faxed by 11 AM and what happens? I get a notice saying our case is closed. Missed the deadline. No I DID NOT! YOU missed my paperwork. They must be seriously understaffed if they can't get my paperwork processed on the day they declare I must have it in and then make we wait 45 minutes on the phone (using my cell phone minutes by the way) to talk to someone who doesn't know JACK about my case just to tell me that "looks like the case is open so ...

Did anybody see that movie called Sweet November?  I'm probably one of the ten people who saw it.  Keanu Reeves and Charlize Theron.  Sappy love story that made me cry.  That is the movie that made me love the name Abner.  He's the next door neighbor kid. Too cute.  Don't worry.  Sean would never agree to it for a name for one of our kids.  A character in a story I will someday write will have that name.  But that isn't really what I was going to post about.  I was just posting about November.  It has a soft place in my heart because it is my birth month.  (Doesn't everyone feel that way the whole month of their birthday?) But really I like the focus on gratitude and being thankful.  It seems that this time of year (especially for those in school) becomes crunch time.  Things are hurried.  Projects and papers and book reports (oh my!).  Everyone is feeling the pressure to perform and get the grades and the...

Well today was definitely different than any other Halloween we've ever had.  I'm crossing my fingers (and will plan a little better hopefully) that next year wil go a little better. Started out the day with a 5k.  My first.  Ever.  (Thanks by the way to Dani and Fielding who graciously watched our boys while we ran. Very much appreciated.)  Couldn't find the camera in time so no pictures.  Sorry.  We have some before photos on our phones but those don't upload.  (We're old school and don't have internet on our phones.)  It was a small fun run- about 30 participants.  Which I didn't mind.  Not so overwhelming.  A 5k is 3.1 miles.  Somehow I got it in my mind that a 5k was only 2 1/2 miles.  I never bothered to look it up.  So that's what I "trained" for.  In my mind at least.  I didn't find out it was 3 until Sean told me when we were running.  I'm sure he mentioned it before--perhaps that one go...

Five things I am grateful for today. 1--I am grateful that I was able to hold Ian right after he was born.  The nurse put him on my chest and I got to hold him and love him.  Now that he's 2 he doesn't let me hold him and love him so much any more but I am grateful for the moments we do get. I am especially grateful for that first moment. 2--I am grateful that Landon wants me to hold him now.  I didn't get to hold him until the day after he was born and that was hard.  I only got to touch his little arm before they flew him off to St. Mary's Hospital in Grand Junction.  I tried to sleep that night he was gone but it was so hard.  I must have woken up a thousand times and felt the awkward silence.  Luckily I was tired enough to get some sleep.  Yesterday I felt really frustrated that he wouldn't let me put him down even to go to the bathroom without crying.  I'm glad today I can be grateful. 3--I am grateful for a loving extended family....

Picture with me a tree full of bright yellow leaves.  That was this tree this morning (also covered with a hefty layer of snow) Now it has no leaves (or very few) So where did they all go?? On the ground of course! What you can't see is our driveway running through the middle of the pile of leaves.  The trees have surrendered; Winter is here.

Aren't they the cutest?  He sure does love his little brother.  Ian insisted that Lando sit next to him and watch "Bobots"- Landon was just excited to have his brother's full attention for a few minutes.  I love my boys (including the one not pictured;their daddy) Update:  I have been sick forever it seems.  It comes and goes then comes again.  Pink eye, cough, flu, migraines all rotated in at some point.  So getting my running in hasn't happened as much as I'd like.  And let's face it- there were a few days where I physically felt well enough- just not motivated to find a babysitter.  It's too cold to take the boys running now so if Sean isn't home that means finding someone to watch the boys.  I had no idea what a hassle getting a babysitter is.  You have to find a willing soul- the right time- get the boys ready- make sure they have extra diapers and clothes (because Murphy's law says if you don't bad things will happen)- ge...

Sometimes you just have to sleep.  That's all there is to it.  He came out of the room from his nap and fell asleep again on the floor.  On my shoe no less.  The poor kid was just plum tired.  (And he tried to tell me he didn't even need a nap)  This was about a week or so ago but I just got around to posting it now. It reminds me of a song by Barenaked Ladies.  Who needs sleep?  The chorus: Who needs sleep? (well you're never gonna get it) Who needs sleep? (tell me what's that for) Who needs sleep? (be happy with what you're getting There's a guy who's been awake since the Second World War) I vaguely remember being little and sleeping in all sorts of strange positions.  Good thing we didn't have digital camera back in the day :)

Picking Raspberries at Grandma and Grandpa's House The Dynamic Duo caught red handed... Ian decided Raspberries are good only if they come from Grandma's and if you can pick them yourself.  (He wouldn't eat them before when we tried to get him to...he spit it out and shaking his head said "Like" meaning doesn't like)

Jealousy? Rebellion? Fun? Adventure?  Thrill?  See how far to the edge you can push mom?  Naptime.  We have been having issues with this fun topic.  I don't know WHAT happened but Ian will not go down for a nap like he used to (though he sure as heck still needs one).  He's all about pushing the limits lately and time out does not work.   Today we talked about naptime and he understood that after lunch it was time to nap... he even said so himself.  So he got a book, we read it, but he wouldn't lay down.  So he knows the rule is I take the book and shut the door if he gets off his bed.  He KNOWS this.  He gets off the bed.  Of course.  So I take the book and shut the door.  Crying. "Read!" he laments over and over--because he wanted to read the book he couldn't find until Mom uncovered it and took it away.  Hooper Humperdink has never been so popular.  Then silence.  Ahh.  Sighed too soon....

I ran half a mile today up hill pushing at least 40 pounds.  That's got to be worth something right?  We had to get some paperwork turned in for insurance stuff and it's only 8 blocks so I decided why not just take the boys in the stroller and get my jogging in too?  I would have run home too but Ian wouldn't get back in the stroller with Landon.  He's too big for that.  "Eee.  Walk."  Or really just dawdle and duck walk and turtle walk home.  He's pretty funny.  I tried to explain to him that we don't walk on other peoples' lawns because it doesn't belong to us.  So what does the little stinker do?  He waits until their walkway and THEN walks with one foot in their walkway and one on the regular sidewalk.  Oh he was so proud of himself for finding the loophole.  I pre-apologize for the lack of pictures with this post-- didn't have a camera with me.  We took an interesting detour on the way home.  We walk past ...

I'm pretty sure I am certifiably insane.  I'm not a runner.  I'm short and have very short legs.  I haven't run a straight mile in over two years (probably closer to three).  So what did I decide to do?? Run a 5k for Halloween.  No big deal.  It'll be fun.  AND I already paid the registration fee so I can't back out even if I wanted to.  But it is kind of exciting.  AND Sean is going to do it with me.  Nothing like having a good running buddy.  I'm so glad he's supportive.  He'll be the first to admit that he always ran for the girls...things don't change much :)  Yesterday was Day One.  We only have one jogging stroller so Ian was very good to hold Landon.  He thought it was so we didn't "lose" Landon.  Big Brother was very proud of his responsibility.  I just hope it doesn't get any colder or we'll have to start splitting our run time so one of us can stay home with the boys.  By next week I'll ...

So this morning for my personal study I was reading an article in the Ensign that for some reason I have been avoiding.  I was surprisingly touched by the message presented though and thought I'd share some thoughts and feelings on the blog.  It was Elder Erich W. Kopischke's article "This is our Religion, to save souls".  That sounded a bit more than I wanted to do right now, which is why I've been putting off reading it.  It's not about preaching the gospel or converting people, not directly anyway.  What I got out of it is that, as followers of Christ and as members of the human race, we are to lift one another, be good friends and ACT on the promptings we receive.  Acting on promptings has been on my mind a lot lately because I do feel like I get these crazy ideas that come seemingly from nowhere but when I just follow it, later I see that they were promptings not just my other personalities talking to me :)  I have been so touched and blessed by o...

I can hardly believe Landon is 4 months old today! Where did the time go?  He had to get shots at the Doctor's office this morning, bummer.  He's not such a happy camper but a little snuggle with mom, some tylenol and a nap is helping (I hope).  Big brother was concerned about Landon getting shots today and I tried to explain to him that it will hurt right now but it will help him be healthy.  Ian is very into being healthy since he gets Flinstone Vitamins now--I think he kind of got it.  Landon was crying before they gave him the shots so it wasn't as traumatizing for Ian as it could have been. Lando giving mom "The Look": Ian is starting to say two words linked together.  I think he realises that he can communicate more clearly what he's trying to say if he does.  "Big Truck" is his favorite.  Though he's into planes right now and everything flies, even Nena (our Jetta).  "Plane fly"  "Ne-ne fly" "Chub-Chub Time...

...Wudeness is weakness and we must neveh be weak. -Morgan Le Fay from Merlin If you don't understand why I am referring to Arthur's halfsister-- watch the movie.  I couldn't find her before pictures online (she's ugly then by serving Queen Mab she is made beautiful)--I feel like the before picture.  Me and Quasimodo, we could be twins--if I were all stoopy and whatnot.  Why is it called "Pink" eye when your eye acutally turns a bright shade of Elmo Red and oozses yellow gunk?  Pink is a bit of an understatement.  Looked up remedies online (thank heavens for the internet) and came up with two people think work: -Breast milk in the affected eye -mix of equal parts honey and milk (thouroughly mixed) in the affected eye. We're starting with round one (since it isn't supposed to hurt and #2 does) and then we'll move on if it doesn't work. Oh and baby soap to wash out the eye.  It really is tear free.  :)

I feel like  this guy: Pink Eye Pete from Pepper Ann. Nasty.  When is all this sickness going to end?! If you don't see me in public in the next- oh say 6 months- you'll know why.  I'm probably just sick. Again.  LAME.  (Oh and just as soon as I'm "better" I'm sure it will snow or something and I don't think it melts until May here)

Howard Thurman, an American philosopher and civil rights advocate, said, "Don't ask what the world needs. Ask what makes you come alive , and go do it. Because what the world needs is people who have come alive." I came across this quote on my cousins blog (she has a few I don't know which one or I'd direct you there). It has started me thinking: What makes ME come alive? Mrs. V, one of my high school English teachers would appreciate this (Right Christie?). She would always ask us "What is your BLISS?" Which is essentially the same idea. Funny how over the years it's easy to forget what my bliss is, my passion, what makes me come alive. Everyday humdrum business seems to shove itself into the forefront rather quickly. So that's my quest. To find what makes me come alive- and do it. Simple enough. Just our of curiosity: What drives you? What makes YOU come alive? Post your bliss as a comment or email me hurst_maggie@yahoo.com (A de...

It's been too long since we've posted. I apologise for not keeping up on it. I have been sick for the last ten days but I think I'm out of the woods. School has started for Sean so we don't get to see much of him between class and work and his research assistantship. The boys and I are doing the normal stuff and we get to go to the park every now and then. Aunt Bonnie and cousins Nathan and Miles came to visit last week and that was a lot of fun to visit with them. We are looking forward to having them in town in a few weeks when they move here. Here are some pictures, I know the grandmas can't get enough of them. Teddy, Ian and "ChubChub" (Lando's bear) What's a Damsel without... Her knight in Shining Armor Those were taken at this wicked sweet park we found on our way home from WalMart. Lando- 3 1/2 months old PS we hiked 3 miles Labor Day weekend...pictures to come soon (maybe after bedtime)