Can it be done in a single post?

OG Erichsen-Websters (all except Luke)

                        ****************************************************************

It's 8:09 a.m. on New Year's Eve, and here I sit in my bed. I've been awake for over an hour, leisurely scrolling various websites, sipping an ice-cold Diet Coke that I pulled from my new, tiny, home-office fridge that Amanda gave me for Christmas. Look how cute it is:

This year, my present to all my kids (except Luke, who lives in Maryland and couldn't come) was a trip to Disneyland! We girls talked about this over a year ago, just before Christmas 2021. The conversation went something like this:

Shulamith: We should go on a trip for Christmas some year, instead of doing presents.

Amanda: Yes! Maybe next year?

Me: That would be super fun, but I'd really miss shopping for presents for my kids; it's one of the happiest things I do all year.

Shulamith and Amanda: That's true, but it's just one year. And it would be so, so fun.

Me: Okay! Where should we go?

The discussion began. We considered several possibilities and ultimately settled on Disneyland. We knew Eli would be excited. We knew Mathew and Isaiah would NOT. We figured Gerald and Seth would be fairly "meh" about it, happy to go, though not super thrilled. Based on the different reactions when we revealed our plan, I'd say we were right:

Mathew: This might be the worst idea you and your mom have ever dreamed up.

Isaiah: Disneyland? Super cringe.

We lovingly informed both of them that attendance was required. They lovingly agreed. 

Typically I would divide a post like this into shorter, more specific installments, but I need (want?) all the Christmas 2022 stuff to be in my 2022 printed blog book, so I must finish it today. Hence....one post! Maybe I'll try dividing it into sections. 

I. Preparation and Travel

Even with fewer presents, moving Christmas to a different state is challenging. The adults all drew names, so everyone would have one gift to open Christmas morning. Then Shulamith bought her kids a few presents, and we grabbed a few for Eli's baby Jane, and those, plus the eight adult gifts, had to be transported to Cali. Most of us were flying, but fortunately, Shulamith and her family decided to drive. We stuffed three large suitcases stuffed with presents into her van.

II. Christmas morning in the Airbnb

It for sure did not feel like Christmas. There was no tree or decorations. No Christmas music played in the background, and there were barely any gifts. But some traditions followed us even to Cali, and one of those is matching Christmas jammies. Mathew's amazing photography skills captured this photo of everyone.

We spent the day relaxing and eating way too much delicious, unhealthy food, including our annual Christmas cookies. Two of those cookie recipes brought back sweet memories. Gerald's mom used to bake gingerbread cookies every year at Christmas. She even cut them out in the form of actual people and used cinnamon candies for the eyes and nose. We were not so fancy (shocking) and just made ours round. They tasted good but not as good as Violet's. I wonder if she baked some this year? Vi? When we lived in Mt. Vernon, my friend Joanne baked shortbread cookies every year and put candied cherries in the middle of each. She gave plates full of these delectable treats to everyone she knew! Again, mine were good but not quite as good as Joanne's.

After eating all this "bad" food, Shulamith, Isaiah, and I went on a long walk around the neighborhood. It was 80 degrees, and we were warm in our t-shirts, a welcomed respite from the bitter Utah cold.

III. Rides

The three days following Christmas we spent in the parks. At one point this conversation occurred between Seth and me:

Seth: Why do you even like it here? You hate Disney movie and never watch them. You don't know any of the Disney characters, and you don't care to know them. Tell me again why you come here?

Me: Two words: The Rides.

It's true that I hate kids' movies, especially Disney, and never watch them. (Just ask any of my kids, who will be happy to lament the saga of growing up in a home with no Disney movies and trying to explain to their friends why they've never see any). I actually dislike all animation....those unrealistic characters with gigantic, hugely-disproportionate eyes. Eeek. Creeps me out.

But I won't lie; I am a ride junkie. I love all rides, the faster and spinnier the better! Fave ride in Disneyland: Space Mountain. In California Adventure: Incredicoaster. We spent three fast and furious days riding nonstop, with barely any lines to wait in, thanks in part to Swen's T1 Diabetes, which qualified him for a disability pass. So many things could go wrong for a person with T1 stuck in long lines for long periods of time: sugar lows, pump malfunctions, glucose monitor failures, among others. The pass made it possible for six people, including Swen, to access the "lightning lanes," rather than waiting in standby lines. T1 Diabetes is a crappy disease, and there is not much good I can say about it, but this pass was one cool perk. 

IV: Random photos from our trip!

Walking into the park the first day!

Matt, Theodore, and Swen!

Shulamith's two younger kids: Theodore and Kennedy

Shulamith and Matt and kids

Eli, Amanda, and Jane

Kennedy and I

Shulamith and I, with Theodore, on our one rainy day

Matt, Kennedy and I (back row); Shulamith, Theodore, and Swen (front row)

Front to back: Shulamith, Kennedy, Swen, Theodore, me

Amanda, Eli, and Jane

Eli, Jane, and Isaiah

Strolling Downtown Disney

Three of the four cutest, most amazing sons: Seth, Isaiah, Eli

Front to back: Shulamith, me, Seth, Gerald (masked), Isaiah (glasses), Eli (partly hidden) Jane, and Amanda

Swen, totally bored by the parade we were were watching

Seth and Gerald, equally bored by the parade

Shulamith, excited to show Theodore the parade!

Jane, wearing Kennedy's mouse ears

Can it be done in a single post? Barely!

Happy New Year, everyone! May 2023 be everything you desire.

Poetically full circle

As I sat in the audience late Saturday afternoon and watched the Sugar Plum Fairy do pique turns across the stage and leap into the arms of the prince, I glanced down at my phone. It was the fourth performance of The Nutcracker I'd watched that weekend, so I went ahead and opened the new message: "Merleen passed away," a friend reported. "She was 97."

When I was four years old, my mom enrolled me in a ballet class at Merleen Stites Studio of Dance in my hometown of Portland, Oregon. Turns out....I loved it! I continued to take ballet classes, and eventually tap and jazz, for the next 12 years under the tutelage of Merleen, who became a second mother to me and, as I grew to adulthood, one of my dearest friends. We kept in touch through the years, so she was overjoyed when I had a daughter who also liked to dance.

Shulamith began dance lessons at age four as well and continued almost as long as I did. Her studio in Mt. Vernon, Washington produced and performed The Nutcracker each year at Christmastime, and she got to fill several roles over the years: first a young child, and later a guest of Clara's at the party; then a mouse, a soldier, and eventually a Chinese dancer on pointe! Two of those years, Gerald and I also participated, assuming the roles of grown-up guests in the opening party scene. Even Isaiah was persuaded to join us one year as a young boy at the party. That year, The Nutcracker felt like a family event and remains one of my most favorite memories.

This past weekend, Shulamith's daughter Kennedy performed in her dance company's production of The Nutcracker. Kennedy was part of four different dances, including Ribbon Candy; Taffy, where she appeared from under Mother Ginger's giant hoop skirt; and an Angel protecting Clara. But her favorite role (and ours!) was the Black Sheep, where she got to "accidentally" knock over all the White Sheep and also dance a short solo and a duet with the Shepherdess. 

The rehearsal schedule for all these dances the past three months was grueling for an 8-year-old, but Kennedy never once complained. She seemed to love every second of it; the dance community has become her happy place, as it was for both Shulamith and me once upon a time. She danced beautifully in all four performances, taking such care with her form, making sure her feet, arms, and head positions were correct at all times. Congrats, Kennedy, on a stellar first Nutcracker.

There is something poetically full circle about learning of my lovely Merleen's passing as I watched Kennedy perform. My best guess is Merleen was watching Kennedy too, as she danced in Heaven with her beloved Stan, who left earth over 20 years ago. I'm grateful for the knowledge that I, too, will dance with my friend again one day, and for the Savior who makes that possible.

Thankful......and Exhausted!

As I lie in bed at just 7:30 on this lovely Black Friday evening, I feel thankful. But so, so tired! It's fine. Shulamith assured me that it's fine; it's okay to be simultaneously thankful and exhausted after three full days of holiday celebrations. First.... the thankful!

I'm thankful that four of our five children live here in the Salt Lake Valley: Isaiah in Salt Lake City, Seth in Orem, Eli in Herriman, and Shulamith just around the corner. They were all here Wednesday afternoon and evening, as we celebrated "Fakesgiving" (aka Thanksgiving one day early) in order to accommodate their various schedules. And not only that; they all slept overnight here, so we had even more time together. 

I'm thankful for their friendship with each other. Four diverse personalities they are, but one unbreakable bond connects them. You can feel it when they're together, and it's my happiest of happy places.

I'm thankful for their friendship with me. I know that some children grow up, make their own lives, and see their parents only occasionally. These four are some of my closest friends, and I see them often. This is a gift I never take for granted.

I'm thankful for the two who married our children, Mathew (Shulamith) and Amanda (Eli). Matt brings his unique humor and love for all things awkward; life would not be the same without him. Amanda is the "girl" Shulamith and I always dreamed of and wished for. 

(Before much celebrating began, Amanda and I made a Diet Coke run. Shulamith had this great idea that if we each bought two, they would last the whole day. Brilliant!)

I'm thankful all these amazing people are sealed to us by covenant. My anxiety causes me to worry more than non-anxious moms, and I'm working on that, but I know they will be with me eternally. I recently had a sign made for our home, after studying/teaching the Book of Proverbs. It is Proverbs 31:21 and reads, "She is not afraid of the snow for her household: for all her household are clothed with scarlet." Indeed!

Next... the exhausted!

Wednesday was devoted to cooking, cleaning, and decorating. Shulamith's daughter, Kennedy, was here all day, and thank goodness she was because I couldn't have done it without her. She literally decorated our entire house by herself, including climbing a ladder to trim the very tall tree. Then she made stuffing and helped me prepare and baste the turkey hourly throughout the day. Dinner was good; everything turned out well. Afterwards, we played "The Game of Things," and  (wait for it.......), I actually won! I never, ever, win. Board games are just another of the hundreds of things I suck at, so this victory needs to be memorialized here in this blog.

Thursday (aka the real Thanksgiving), I got up and made breakfast for everyone, bacon and cinnamon streusel french toast. Then we headed out to see a movie: The Glass Onion: A Knives Out Mystery, and I'm pretty sure those were the only 120 minutes I sat down in the whole three days. Movie was good, not great, but good. Then back home to make soup from the turkey carcass. It was also good, not great, but good. In Isaiah's words, "Tastes just like everything else we ate growing up, bland!" Yep, cooking is on that list of hundreds of things I suck at. Later, though, Eli fried scones for everyone to eat while the bros played video games, and those were actually great! Thank you, Eli. 

By 10:30 last night, I was wiped. Isaiah and I were playing with Eli's one-year-old baby, Jane, but I had to take her back downstairs to her parents, so I could fall desperately into bed. Because the following day...today(!)...would be arguably the best day of the year: BLACK FRIDAY!! It's true. Shulamith and I look forward to this day with excitement and anticipation all year long, as we stash cash away in envelopes and dream of hot chocolate, Diet Coke, crowds, Christmas music, and an entire day of shopping! 

We set alarms for 7:00 a.m., dressed quickly, and I was at her house by 7:20. We hit Target, Costco, Fashion Place Mall, Ulta, and Deseret Book, with lunch at Cheesecake Factory in the middle, a seriously awesome and productive Black Friday!

And now I lie here in bed, thankful and exhausted, beyond ready for some "me" time, some down time, some time to read the second half of The Alice Network, which has taken a backseat recently to dumb essays that need grading. But not tonight. 

Finally, I am thankful for all of you my dear readers and friends, every one.

Happy Election Day!

At our house, election day is a holiday! This is especially true in presidential election years, but yes, we even gather to celebrate the midterms. This is mostly because both Gerald and Isaiah love politics, but the rest of us are definitely more engaged than most, as evidenced by the fact that Isaiah's boss was only vaguely aware an election even occurred Tuesday, and she had no idea what was on the ballot or even if this was a presidential year. Not kidding.

I was worried about how the night might go. There was far too realistic a chance that Republicans might win back the Senate. They didn't. I am so grateful! Based on current numbers, they will likely take the House, but assuming things shake out as expected, Dems will retain the Senate, and with VP Harris' vote, President Biden will still be able to accomplish good things, as he has thus far. He won't have an easy two years, but hope remains. He might turn out to be the best president of my lifetime, and that's saying a lot because I'm pretty fond of President Obama. 

These two were glued to the TV and to their laptops throughout the evening, as they always are on election night:

The rest of us were in and out, asking for updates and clarification. Isaiah, who (according to Seth), knows "everything about everything," told us about all the close races, the candidates, and the expected results. As numbers came in, we watched several key states closely--Arizona, Georgia, Nevada, Pennsylvania--hoping for Democrat victories. 

I went to bed around 10:00 p.m. because I'm kind of a wimp like that; Gerald and Isaiah were up until the wee hours. I awoke to a text from Isaiah: "Dr. Oz has LOST." Go Pennsylvania! My friend who lives there said it was way too close, but still, I'll take the win. Glad to have a guy like John Fetterman in the Senate, especially considering the alternative.

As for Utah, we had a glimmer of hope that Evan McMullin might succeed in unseating Mike Lee, but that glimmer faded all too quickly as the numbers came in. I guess we didn't have enough babies (Lee's solution to global climate change). Regardless, Dems will likely retain the Senate majority, so I'm a happy girl.

Until next time....Happy Election Day!

Birthdays, ballots, and boosters!

October is the best month. For many reasons. It means the heat of summer comes to an end, and the brisk fall air returns. The possibility of rain increases! The holiday season begins. And I get to celebrate my birthday!

This year, that celebration went on for about a week. It began on Oct. 14th, when as one of my presents, I asked any of my kids who wanted to, to attend the temple with me. Shulamith and Eli agreed; Amanda agreed too, but her little Jane was still recovering from being sick, so Amanda decided not to leave her. The three of us participated in proxy sealings at the Oquirrh Mountain Temple, followed by dinner at Red Robin. It was delightful, start to finish. I love being in the temple with my kids.

My actual birthday is on the 20th, so that day, Shulamith and Amanda and I went for lunch at Raising Cane's. Our plan was to celebrate with the whole family the upcoming Sunday evening, so I thought that was plenty, but Amanda insisted that I could not be alone on the evening of my actual birthday, so she and Eli and I, along with their little Jane, went to Olive Garden. Super fun!

Finally, Sunday the 23rd, we hoped to have everyone together for dinner at Texas Roadhouse, but Shulamith's son Theodore was still recovering from his recent tonsillectomy and feeling not so great, so Matt stayed home with him. Isaiah and Seth were with us, so I had four of my five kids, and it was awesome. They gave me a gift card to Journey's, so I could order some Dr. Martin's! Exactly what I wanted (Thanks, Shulamith!).

I am no longer the only October birthday in our extended family. Two days ago, Eli and Amanda's little girl, Jane Eliza, celebrated her 1st birthday in amazing style! Amanda decorated the club house on our property to reflect their "One-derful" baby girl and to celebrate big time how one year ago, they welcomed Jane into their family. The first year of a child's life brings so much joy and so many challenges, all at the same time. Amanda wrote on the invitation to Jane's party that part of the celebration was because "Mommy and Daddy survived." Yes, yes they did. They survived chronic sleep deprivation, early issues with jaundice and breastfeeding (which Amanda navigated like a boss), and even Jane's first ever illness, which came just prior to my birthday (see above). But no, they did not simply survive. Eli and Amanda are crushing this parenting gig. They have raised a healthy, happy, hilarious, opinionated, and enormously well-loved one-year-old human!

In addition to two birthdays, October also brings the final stretch into midterm elections. I know I say this every time, but this is an important one, my friends, particularly for those who live here in Utah. This time, there is an actual chance, a fair shot even, to replace one of our current U.S. Senators, who literally stood on the senate floor and claimed that the solution to global climate change can be found in "churches, wedding chapels, and maternity wards....because the real solution to climate change is babies!" Don't believe me? Here it is! Now I'm not a huge fan of Evan McMullin; he's far too conservative for me. But folks, come on! We have a chance to finally escape ridiculously stupid rhetoric like what you see above. Please vote for Evan!

Finally, for me, October brings my annual flu vaccine, and this year, my Bivalent COVID booster. This one targets Omicron sub-variants, AND the original COVID-19 strain, in a single shot. Run, don't walk, to get yours. 

Today, we party hard for Halloween 2022, with parades, pizza dinner, trick-or-treating, and way too much candy. 

Tomorrow, let the Thanksgiving/Christmas season begin!

Fabulous Freedom Friday!

I am in so many ways a duplicate copy of my grandma. No, I don't look anything like her, but we share other more important qualities. She loved her "down time." She loved to lounge in her bed until late in the morning, sip her coffee, eat her slightly burned toast, and study her Christian Science weekly scripture lesson. If you sub Diet Coke for the coffee, and "Come Follow Me" for the Christian Science lesson, the two of us might as well be twins! She didn't always have the luxury of lounging. For nearly a decade in the 1940s, she was a single mom and worked full time in an envelope factory in order to care for herself and my mom. But in 1953, she married the love of her life, and from that point on, she lounged pretty much every morning.

I think of her often, especially on those mornings that I don't have to set an alarm, when I can wake up on my own terms, sneak downstairs to grab an ice cold Diet Coke, burn some toast, then return to my bed and dive right into the "Come Follow Me" lesson for the week. Yesterday was such a day, a Fabulous Freedom Friday, I like to call them. This semester, Friday is my only day that is fully free. The other six days all include places I need to go, classes I need to teach, meetings I need to attend, stuff I need to do. I keep my Fridays free, and they are sacred. 

Yesterday I awoke around 8:10 and lounged in my bed for 20 minutes, dreaming of the day ahead in which my calendar was entirely blank. Lots of people thrive on being as busy as is humanly possible. I am not one of those people. Like Grandma, I love my down time. At 8:30 I met Shulamith for our first walk of the day; we did three miles, so around 6,000 steps. Then I returned home and worked on this week's "Come Follow Me" lesson, the last one from Isaiah. Everyone in my family is a bit weary of listening to me talk about the Old Testament. But really. How can I not? Especially when we're reading Isaiah! This week he teaches so brilliantly on two prominent elements of our faith: the Law of the Fast and the Temple Garment. We don't get to have a Gospel Doctrine class tomorrow, but trust me, you want to read these chapters, at least 58-61.

Mid-morning, Shulamith and I took her kids to visit the Witches at Gardner Village (an annual tradition), followed by yummy treats at Schmidt's Bakery. And we were still home by mid-afternoon, with plenty of time to continue my lounging activities. I graded a few papers, watched the most recent episode of The Patient, and emptied the 10 garbage cans throughout our house. That might not seem like a "loungy" thing to do, but for me, newly-emptied garbage cans are the happiest!

In the evening, Eli's one-year-old baby, Jane, came over to visit. Shulamith and I took her on a long walk, our last of the day; then Jane and I did some serious lounging all by ourselves as we sat on the floor, ate strawberries and Cheerios, and watched Cocomelon, which is hands down the stupidest show ever created, but it's Jane's favorite. She's one, so we'll let it slide.

And that ended my Fabulous Freedom Friday for this week, and I just wanted to share it with you. Thank you, Grandma, for teaching me that it's okay to lounge, that down time is a good thing and that self care is important.