The Perils of Overreacting

The week before Christmas, I got into a minor car accident-- with myself. Oh why can't we go back and undo our dumb mistakes?!

While I was pulling out of a parking spot after visiting a friend, I thought to myself, "I think there's a pole back there." So I looked in my rear-view mirror, but I didn't see anything. Two seconds later I hit it. 

Now this is where I made the big mistake: I completely overreacted. I think I was in shock because I had just thought I hadn't seen anything. So, at this point my body took over my mind in full-out "fight or flight" mode, which for me meant flight.

I didn't think about doing any of this-- it just happened before I could even think: I immediately put the car in drive and pulled forward, but did so MUCH too fast and without any conscious thought. So... we hit another pole in the front. I screamed and put the car in reverse and then came to a stop. I took a few deep breaths, and Isaac said, "Sorry, Mama." Sweet boy. He is still rear facing, so he saw the first hit, but not the second, which was much more severe.  

I got out of the car and first looked at the back. This is where I got a big surprise. There was virtually no damage to the back of the car--only a little bit of paint scratched off. That means if I had just put on the brakes after we hit the pole and had done nothing else, we would have been totally fine. 

BUT because I overreacted, there was serious damage to the front of my car. The right headlight and the whole bumper were destroyed. And it cost us $1400 to repair! Bah!!! I think even when I reversed after hitting the second pole some damage might have been done. 

The blessing in this is that two repairmen from the complex immediately came to my aid. I burst into tears, and they were really worried about me-- a hysterical pregnant woman with a toddler in the back seat. They asked if I would like them to remove my bumper so I could drive home. I told them I needed to think about it. So, after calling Brent and weighing options, we decided to have them do it. They brought out their tools and zip ties, and patched my car together so I could drive home. 

Later in the day, Brent picked up my bumper so I could take it to the body shop. The bumper itself wasn't salvageable, but parts of it were, so it was good we brought it in. 

The reason I share this super embarrassing story is so that you can learn from my stupid mistake. When you hit something, JUST STOP. If it's safe, get out of the car to assess the situation before you do anything else!!! 

The big life lesson for me was that sometimes our reactions to things cause way bigger problems than the actual problem! Unfortunately, this seems to be a pattern in my life . . . When will I learn? 

Here's hoping I can keep this car in once piece from now on!

Christmas 2013

We stayed in Houston this Christmas, and although we were separated from most of our family, we had a really wonderful holiday.



We spent Christmas Eve morning walking at the arboretum, and Isaac was in heaven finding and carrying around sticks.

In the afternoon, we made snickerdoodles together, and I let Isaac help "roll" the dough. You can see his "ball" on the pan in the second picture. Ha ha. Good try, Isaac. 

And then for Christmas Eve, we had 4 other couples over for dinner-- with 2 more toddlers, so 13 people in all. Our apartment was a little cozy, but the food was AMAZING, and I love that I didn't have to cook all of it. And it was so fun to share the evening with friends. Plus, who could be cuter than this Joseph and Mary? 

Here's what our living room looked like after Santa came. There really is something that feels magical about the anticipation of giving and receiving gifts. Most of these gifts were sent from family and friends across the country. 

And here is Isaac on Christmas morning with his favorite present: packing peanuts! 

We didn't talk about Santa this year, but Isaac-- with his birthday in December-- was very familiar with opening presents, so we had such a fun morning. Isaac opened everyone's presents, which was fine with us. Then we had Emily and Andrew over for a nice brunch and hung out with them for the morning in our pjs. Really, it couldn't have been better. 

I just love the music, lights, and feelings of Christmas. It was such a wonderful month. Brent took me to see Handel's Messiah performed by the Houston Symphony, I went to another local concert that was amazing, we went to the temple, to a movie, to the zoo. So much good-quality family time. Both Brent and I are tempted to say we may never travel for Christmas again. :-) (Don't worry, Mom and Okaasan, I'm sure that's not completely true.)

And here is a picture of my favorite house in the neighborhood next to us. This doesn't do the real thing justice. Just look at that tree by the front door! Talk about a lot of lights! 

And thank you to all of you who sent us beautiful Christmas and New Years cards. It was so fun to see your cute families and read about your adventures. With this baby coming, I thought it would make more sense to hold off on sending something to friends. But please know that we appreciate your friendship so much and hope you had a wonderful Christmas! 

Isaac's 2nd Birthday Party

For Isaac's 2nd birthday, did a combined party with Isaac's friend who is just 8 days younger (and about 8 lbs bigger). The plan was to tour the fire station and have lunch at the park. But the day of, the weather was like this:

          

It poured buckets as we drove to the fire station! Luckily, I was able to reserve a room in the church and we quickly set up beforehand. And everything worked out wonderfully . . . except for the fact that Isaac was nervous, wouldn't climb on any of the trucks, and tried to leave the party the whole time. I guess the "It's My Party . . . " song fits well here. 

          

         

At least Dad got some time in the driver's seat:

             

And thankfully was the one to chase after Isaac: 

         

             

             

             

Overall, it was a great success! And my friend, Suzanne, got better pictures than I did, so once I get them from her, I will update this post. 

Motherhood Gratitude List

Earlier this year, I started a Learning Circle through Power of Moms, the website that I’m a volunteer editor for. November’s theme was Valuing Motherhood, and our assignment was to answer this question:

What are you most grateful for about being a mother? What has motherhood taught you

or helped you to gain? Make a list of the “top 10” things you're grateful for as a mother at

this point in your life and be ready to share a few things from your list at our next meeting.

So here is my Top 10 List (after being a mom for just under 2 years):

1. I’m grateful for the deep sense of purpose and identity that motherhood has given me. No matter what, I will always be Isaac’s mother. Because of his needs, I have daily purpose. But ultimately, because I helped create his body and am responsible for his care and nurturing on this earth, I have eternal purpose as well. I feel great peace because of this sense of meaning and direction I have in my life.

2. I’m grateful for the opportunity to witness the miracle of human development so closely. I studied child and adolescent development in college, but it never mattered or amazed me like Isaac’s development and progress does. It is truly a pleasure to be a part of it.

3. I’m grateful for the unity and shared love that becoming parents has brought to my marriage. Isaac and Baby #2 are our greatest projects, our greatest hobbies, and no one loves them like we do.

4. I’m grateful for how indescribably beautiful, wonderful, and delicious your own baby is. And I’m grateful that in those baby months I was able to enjoy endless kisses.

5. I’m grateful for the laughter, smiles, and tickle flights Isaac brings into my life. My sense of humor is one of my weaker attributes, but Isaac helps bring it out of me.

6. I’m grateful for the opportunity to, in a small way, taste the love God has for me. The love a parent has for a child is different than any other type of love.

7. I’m grateful for the freedom and fun that comes with motherhood. The reality is that while my husband is in an office at a laptop all day, I sit outside while Isaac plays, occasionally go on fun outings, and have time to work on whatever I want to during nap time (at least until this baby comes . . . ).

8. I’m grateful for the opportunity to teach. I’ve always loved teaching, and now that I’m a mother, teaching is a natural part of my life.

9. I usually don’t feel grateful for the way motherhood challenges and stretches me, but I know in future years, I will be grateful for the creativity, patience, understanding, and coping techniques I will have developed as a result of motherhood.

10. I’m grateful for the love I receive as a mom. Although Isaac can’t express much yet, he shows his love for me in his eagerness to see me and share with me his discoveries, in his need for me when he is distressed, and by his desire to play with me and read with me. In the hectic moments, it’s hard to feel this love, but the overall base level of love in my life has definitely increased with motherhood.

Children's Museum

Houston has a fantastic children's museum, and we went with some good friends in October. Isaac loved shopping for food, pretending to be a Vet at the Pet Hospital, and painting. He still watches the video of himself painting over and over again. It's so fun to go places with him now. He's my little bud.

Time Flies When You Are Feeling Good

We have been having fun in UT, enjoying the holidays here in Houston, and soaking up the gorgeous weather (even if it's "cold" for Houston, it's still gorgeous to me) while we can.

I have uploaded quite a few pictures, so overdue posts are coming . . .