And the winner is...

So I realize this is 3 months late but I did tell you it might take me awhile.

Emmy P. you were spot on guessing the weight of Finley.

Therefore, I need to follow through with my promise.

First an Ode to Emmy...

I met Emmy when I transferred to BYU from Ricks. I'm pretty sure she didn't like me much that first year but after that we were on Dancers' Company together and we became friends...good friends. Lots of my memories from BYU have Emmy in them. (long rehearsals, tours, classes) Emmy served a mission in Arizona and is currently working on her Masters degree in Dance. She is such a good person.....hard worker, beautiful in and out, awesome dancer, and rock solid in the gospel. I look up to her in so many ways.

Best part...she's getting married in a little over a month!! Woo hoo! Congrats to her.

Ahhhhh, this made me miss you Emmy.

Send me your address so I can send you package with my favorite Hong Kong treats.

The Bandage.

(today on the train on the way home from church)

We were waiting at the MTR (train) station today after church. There was a short big (muscular- irrelevant to the story really but it gives you a visual- really his arms were huge and oddly disproportionate to the rest of his body) chinese fellow standing next to us. He kept glancing over at us so Owen says "Hello".

He got really excited and asked us where we were from. Owen says, "America".

The train arrives and as we get on he introduces us to his son standing next to him. He then tells us how cute Graham is. Then he takes us and introduces us to his girlfriend. She then asks Owen, "Why does she have that bandage on her head."

Owen says to her, "Well, its a bow."

Her reply, "Why does she have it on her head."

Owen stumbles, "uh, well, um......because its cute?"

Her reply, "Oh yeah...it is cute."

A bandage? Really?

And I was thinking she looked so adorable today. :)

2010

10 years ago I was a Senior in High School. I had just decided to go to Ricks. I was rehearsing for "Nunsense". Dancing my little heart out. I had a little crush on the guy pictured above. Life was easy, shmeezy. Of course I didn't think that at the time.

8 years ago I was in my 2nd year at Ricks. I was dancing on CDT...making friendships that I still treasure to this day. I was in a serious relationship. I was taking loads of classes. I was working at a job that I absolutely hated (really it makes me slightly nauseous to even think about it). A little concerned about my future but I had time, loads of time. Life was easy, shmeezy. Of course I didn't think it at the time.

6 years ago I was "unofficially engaged" to the handsome fellow above. I was dancing at BYU. Had strange roommates who I struggled to understand (except for one :). Had an amazing job at BYU Visitors Center that I loved. Life was good. I was a little stressed and the reality of life seemed to be settling in a little bit. But really, it was easy, shmeezy. Of course I didn't recognize it at the time.

4 years ago I was beginning my last semester at BYU. I was about to start my student teaching...I was so nervous. And I got to dance every day with some of my very best friends. I had been married for a year and a half. I was b.u.s.y. Although it was a balancing act my path was right in front of me...easy shmeezy I say. And of course I didn't recognize it at the time.

2 years ago I had a chubby 4 month old baby boy. I was beginning to see the light at the end of my postpartum tunnel. I was teaching a class at BYU and loving it! We were anticipating a move to Hong Kong that summer. Although our life was changed forever by becoming parents...my life was pretty easy, shmeezy. You never would have convinced me of it at the time.

Today I live in Hong Kong. I am a momma to a big heavy (oh my he is SO heavy) adorable 2 year old boy and a beautiful, sweet 3 month old little girl who sleeps like a champion. I spend my days playing with my kids, cleaning my house, going grocery shopping, doing laundry, running errands, exercising, cooking, and traveling (or rather commuting:) Life is challenging here. I cook out of a toaster oven, my friends live an hour or so away (or at least the ones I can actually communicate with), it takes so long to do the simplest of tasks, I haven't been on a date with my husband in 6 months, I don't get to do the hobbies that I enjoy. Most of the time I feel quite lonely. I wouldn't say my life is easy, shmeezy...I wonder if I will in ten years? And If I ever do I wonder what I will be experiencing to make this time seem so easy. That thought slightly frightens me :)

I should probably reflect back a little more often. God has blessed my life and continues to prepare me for what is next. Its evident over, over, and over again. I get so caught up in my pity party that I forget to remember that. Where is the faith Tara! Come on.

Happy New Year

Here's to the next 10 years... wherever they take me.

Sweet Finley Mei

My beautiful and talented friend took some pictures of Finley when she was a month old and again a couple of weeks ago on her blessing day.

Just wanted to share...

Sundays...

What I was reminded of today at Church...

1. Young Mothers and Nursery leaders should be allowed to wear whatever they want to church...okay I know you can wear whatever you want, let me rephrase it should be socially acceptable.

2. Graham really HATES going to nursery and I HATE making him go...so much EFFORT.

3. Finley is joining the club and hates church as well. Really she screams every time someone else holds her besides OJ and I (not just fussy, she SCREAMS). The first few times I thought were just a coincidence but nope she's been pretty consistent. She's giving everyone a complex.

4. Parents of young children should be allowed to be inactive for a few years while their children are young...I swear we'd get a more spiritual message being at home. Oh well, its about being obedient right? right?

5. Make sure your baby isn't holding onto your nursing cover as you attempt to feed her or you might flash everyone on the train. ( you will also make your husband laugh really hard while he sits and watches you and does nothing to help.)

Let's just say Church the past few weeks has been trying for us. Let me give you a visual to help you understand...

Saturday night we try to have everything ready to go, bag packed, breakfast ready for Graham the next morning, clothes ironed...

Church starts at 9 so I get up around 6-6:30 so that we can be ready and out the door about 7:45. (this has proven a little more difficult since Finley has joined our family)

We then take a 5 minute taxi to the train station, ride the train for about 40 minutes, walk to a bus stop and take a 10 minute bus ride that drops us off right in front of the church. So yes, I have just been trying to entertain my 2 year old and baby for an hour and we get to church so Graham can sit still for another hour through Sacrament Meeting. Then we take him sobbing up to Nursery and try to convince him to stay. Sometimes they can get him to stop crying and other times they come to get us. Then we usually stay after for some sort of meeting...

By this time Graham is officially done and is irrational and throwing fits the whole hour long trip home.

Whew! There you have it. Today we got home and just threw him in his crib, he was so tired. We put Finley down and we all had a two hour nap...the best part about Sunday!

What did you learn this Sunday? :)

Today.

Nothin' like a little laundry, a little playin'

and a little mornin' sunshine...

We are alive...barely.

Well we've made it 6 weeks so far.

Blogging may be sporadic as I try to figure out the craziness and how to have some sort of balance in my life.

One day at a time.