Amy

Amy Michelle...

I loved the name the first time I heard it in college.

I hoped that my future husband would like it as much as I did. 

He did. I love it even more today because of the person that has this name.

What a blessing Amy has been in my life.

Beautiful calm peaceful baby,

happy content child

and now a completely amazing woman, wife and mother.

Parents hope that their children will be better than they are and Amy passed me up a while ago. I feel truly blessed and privileged to be her mom.

Happy Birthday Amy!

I'm a day late and a dollar short...

but there's always next year.

Happy late birthday.

I love you!

Success

I have lots of things I need/want to blog about - I've been away for a while. 

Amy told me she missed my blogging and knowing how much I appreciate her frequent blog posts that allow me to keep in touch with day to day happenings of her life I decided I needed to do better.

Thanks Amy!

So with many important things that have recently happened and are currently happening I choose to blog today about something kind of silly - food.

Years ago during a visit to Mesa, AZ my parents took us to a little Vietnamese restaurant they like. We started the meal with these wonderful Vietnamese spring rolls. Fresh veggies and herbs wrapped in a rice paper wrapper - cold and fresh - the mix of flavors was divine.
All the food was really good and despite my dad ordering some kind of soup with tripe in it
(I've seen him eat some disgusting things in my life but this was the kicker -
the owner wasn't sure if they had any on hand, people usually don't order it)
we really enjoyed the meal.

I have since tried to make them - 

actually I have been successful at making them in the past with a few challenges:

gathering the right ingredients - regular grocery stores don't carry the rice paper wrappers or the fish sauce for the sauce. Also buying fresh mint and basil from the grocery store is pricey!

And cutting the carrots and cucumber in tiny little matchsticks just about killed me. 

But I recently purchased a mandolin:

Where have you been all my life!?

The best $15.00 I've ever spent.

I had fresh mint and basil in my garden

(I will have to plant twice as much basil next year - the two plants just can't keep up)

and the slicing for seven (or eight) spring rolls was amazingly fast. 

I have to tell you too that tearing the basil and pulling stems on the mint leaves smelled HEAVENLY.

The recipe calls for shrimp but I used what I had on hand - imitation crab meat.

I also made some with no meat/fish at all and they were wonderful.

I'm not sure how many I ate but I am one happy camper.

Here is a link to the recipe.

I even made the fish sauce and it was just like the restaurant.

Except for not adding rice noodles, substituting the crab and adding avocado to some

 and using baby spinach instead of lettuce leaves.

I followed the recipe just like it's written

(Oh yea, I also soaked the rice wrappers a little longer to soften them)

Strings Attached

photo courtesy of Amy

Tuesday morning Jenn and I went running with our neighbor, Karen. Mark would be leaving soon to fly to New Jersey for a business trip and would be home Friday evening. Amy's Jordan had been out of town the week before and had left again on Monday for another business trip. Last week was a rough one for Amy and this week would be her birthday. We had looked into airplane tickets to fly her and the kids out here but they were too expensive. Still... my heart ached at the thought of her being alone with two little ones on her birthday. There had to be something we could do. I began to assemble a package to send to her with some new fun things for Ruby to do and a little something for her too. As we were running I lamented to Karen about wanting to be with Amy, and Karen said, "Well, drive out there!". Duhhhh! why didn't I think of that! Jenn and I got back from our run around 7:45, talked to Mark as he was heading out the door and arranged to take the Mazda. We quickly packed, I taught Kindermusik from 10:00 to 10:45 and we were on the road by 11:15. We called Amy about two hours into our drive and told her to break out her air mattress. We were all very excited! We arrived that evening and got to see Ruby for a few minutes before Amy tucked her into bed. Two glorious days of giggling, chasing, baby kisses, imaginary play, coloring, snuggling and bliss. It seemed like more of a gift to me than to Amy in a lot of ways. It was really fun to make her some birthday cupcakes, get her some balloons, dinner and cool candles, as if she was 16 instead of 26. Jordan came home that night (Thursday - her birthday) and they went out and saw Harry Potter. Yesterday Jenn and I went running with Amy and the crew and then packed up again and headed home. 

I know about cutting apron strings and the importance of allowing children to grow up and become independent. I know they need to be able to live their own lives and right now Sacramento is where Amy, Jordan and their family are supposed to be. But what about the heart strings. No one seems to talk much about those. The aching I feel when I leave that sweet family... being able to still feel the sweet little hugs and hear laughter in my head and know it will be a while before my cheek is able to rest on their silky hair again. What about that tugging on my heart when, like Ruby and Olivia, I too want to be able to go through the screen when we skype and be wrapped in their arms. Then there's the pull I feel that makes me so willing to spend two days driving to see them for two days. So totally worth it. In many ways this trip was empowering. It was easy to throw a few thing in my bag and just go. Aaron and Celisa better settle within a one day drive too, because even thought the apron strings have been cut, the heartstrings are still firmly attached.

From the imagination of a 3 year old

This is from Amy's blog dated May 6, 2011

"Meet Ruby's imaginary friends: Milla, Jula, & Greena. They have been around for a while and I am surprised I haven't done a post about them yet.

The only experience I have had with imaginary friends before this is when my older brother had a couple he was little: Gaggio and Gloria. He even let me play with them. So, I was pretty tickled to hear that Ruby had some a few months ago. She knows they are pretend, but they are very present in her day-to-day life.

Let me give you some information about them: they are all girls, all sisters (except Greena, who apparently is a brother but is magic and can turn into a sister). Milla is the main friend, the one she talks about the most, so we know the most about her. She also was the original friend--Jula and Greena have all showed up later and come and go. Milla is about Ruby's age, although sometimes that changes. They often go to school or come over to play with Ruby or Ruby goes to their house. Ruby asks Jordan to look for them at night before she goes to bed, but she tells him that, "since they don't get home until fourteen o'clock, you should just watch the hockey game." She has had to put Milla in timeout a few times, but not for anything major.

This is what they look like (with their names written to the left):"

Milla on top, Jula on bottom, not pictured: Greena 

 Amy also included Ruby's description of Milla - Brown hair, blue eyes...

The other day I was going through our "Valu Pack Coupons" (which I never do) and came across this image on a flyer for the Thanksgiving Point Princess Festival:

I about fell off my chair.

I wanted to call Amy that very second but decided to wait

there is an one hour time difference and she does have a baby...

While I waited I went to the website to check it out. 

Three-year-olds and a parent (or grandpa in this case)

can attend the festival which includes:

"Over 50 fully costumed actors are in character acting out a deliciously scripted adventure at all times.  They playfully and personally interact with every one of our guests through the entirety of the Festival.  For example, after checking in at their ticketed time our “Guest Princesses” are whisked away in a small group by Alice and the Mad Hatter for a 15 minute adventure.  Once they’ve concluded their foray in Wonderland, they discover Beauty and Beast waiting to immerse them in the next journey….. and for 2 hours the adventures continue.  In addition to these guided treks, the grounds are filled with delightful performances including exhibitions such as “The Magic Flute”, Story time with Snow White,  and Twelve Princesses dancing their hearts out."

Sounds PERFECT 

What about dates and availability?

Amy, Ruby and Peter will only be here for a few days before the wedding..

DATES: June 15-18, 2011 and June 22-25, 2011

I found an opening on the 22nd!

Wahooooooooooooo!

Somewhere in my searching Amy texted me, we made arrangements

emailed Mark who was thrilled at the prospect,

we arranged for Christian to go with them to take pictures

and enjoy a day with Ruby before he leaves for his mission.

So... what do you call this? 

Luck.... Serendipity..... Fate...?

Probably all three, but most of all a tender mercy.

Proof that God is aware of the detail of our lives.

PS I could post this because Ruby doesn't read blogs

but it's a secret, we'll tell her when she get's here...

but that's another post.

More information about

Princess Mila and the Princess festival.

Meet Modeine...

From the archives of Amy Zimbelman Wright.

Circa 2005

“Let me tell you where it all began...a few months earlier I was driving to work with my friend, Tiff. She was brushing her hair and pulled the hair out of her brush, only to throw the wad of hair out the window. Well, as I was walking to church the next Sunday, Amy (roommate with same name) and I found the massive hairball, and decided that we had to do something with it! So, we picked it up and started brainstorming--good thing April Fool's was right around the corner!

We ended up writing an "official letter" from BYU explaining how the hairball had undergone research and was proven to be her DNA....and further states that this is a direct violation of the Honor Code, and a fine would have to be attached. To read the full letter, click on the picture below...

Notice the letter was signed by Modeine Therba Gunch

Amy and I with the hairball and letter

Tiff fell for the letter at first, but then figured out it was me (since I was the only one who knew about the hairball) and tried to get a neighbor to call, as if from the Honor Code. We figured that one out quickly and disregarded the phone call.”


End of story by Amy but Modeine Therba Gunch is legend in our family since this fateful April fools joke. 

Reflections

My life ebbs and flows like everyones but it seems lately it's been in large waves rather than a soft surf on a shallow beach. Wonderful exciting things as well as challenges and just as the the trees are leafing out and filling with pink and white blossoms my life will also change in big ways very soon. Someone recently related that the kanji symbol for challenge is the same or similar to that of change. Amy and Jordan came to Utah over conference with their two sweet children to bless Peter. Aaron, Celisa and Olivia were able to get a flight out and join us. Christian got special permission to go to the temple that week also. I began to move with more speed to get the basement bathroom in usable condition (ie. walls painted, towels and more than a plastic drop cloth for a shower curtain... among other things.) That same week Robbie called me on a Monday afternoon to tell me he'd been in an accident. 

Picture from his ipod

Another driver didn't see him and hit him 

We were blessed that he was protected but it bent the frame and his car was totaled.

Later that week he lost his job. 

By Wednesday family was arriving and our home became wonderfully full.

Thursday morning Kindermusik class with my granddaughters and their Uncles was heaven.

Each day was so wonderful.

Robbie's trials have turned out to be blessings in many ways although not everything is resolved yet.

But we do feel confident that all will work out. 

I will leave you with the family picture we took while everyone was here and post more pictures of specific events in the coming days.

Healthier desserts

Those who know me well know that I love desserts, especially chocolate.

Eating a lot of sweets definitely does not help me maintain my weight but the thought of giving them up forever often feels daunting and impossible. 

Ever since Amy shared with me her awesome recipe for pumpkin chocolate chip cookies I have been experimenting with lots of other recipes/combinations to make desserts (or snacks) healthier.

I wouldn't exactly call them health food but healthier food.

Time for me to get back to Weight Watchers, but if I can have these when I'm back where I want to be and a few pumpkin cookies on the way success will be that much sweeter!

Brownie recipe here.

A dream...

I awoke this morning to the sound of Marks alarm...

I had slept through mine. 

I put on my robe and made my way through the dark hall and down the stairs.

  A blanket of fresh snow covered the yard and seemed to glow in the predawn light.

This night time snowfall was no surprise as we had driven home from the airport in it last night.

I went about my morning on autopilot and for a moment it seemed as though the last 10 days were only a dream. The lingering images of a sweet and wonderful experience that I didn't want to end. 

When Amy picked me up from the airport on Friday, January 28, she was having contractions...

Wow! what perfect timing we thought. But, they soon stopped and we resigned ourselves to the fact that the baby would not be coming tonight.

Saturday was cold and rainy.

I watched and learned Ruby's routine, sent Jordan and Amy out to dinner

and spent countless hours in the magical world of a toddler about to turn three. 

Sunday morning about 5:30 Amy quietly went into the kitchen to get a drink and then back to her room. Around 7:00 she came out again and told me they were going to the hospital.

It was January 30, her due date.

Peter Bevan Wright 

was born around 11:15am.

7 lbs. 3 oz 

19 1/2 inches

That afternoon Ruby met her new brother...

and I met my first grandson.

The time that followed is a glorious blur. Sleepy morning smiles, playing in the bath, reading books, singing songs, playing in the dark, chasing and being chased, running in the grass, racing down slides, watching the expressions of a sweet newborn, fixing meals, talking with my sweet daughter and her hubby about the experiences they were in the middle of and were yet to come.

But especially at night, I missed my companion and family I had left behind and knew this daydream would soon be ending...

and my heart ached in both directions.

Missing home and knowing I would miss this sweet family too.

It feels good to be home, even with the snow... 

but I wonder if Ruby got up this morning and wondered where I was...

Anyone have a time turner I could borrow?

I guess it would only help me if I also knew how to apparate.

Amy with baby Peter at 36 weeks
Amy has under one week left - assuming she goes to her due date...

Ruby is so excited.

So am I... actually all of the Zimbelman's in Provo are excited.

We check our phones for texts... ask how everyone is feeling...

(Jordan is feeling as well as can be expected)

but I feel torn.

I too have one week left until I fly out there.

10 days there and then home.

Not enough time there. A long time to be away from home.

Not enough time to snuggle a sweet newborn and play with Ruby.

A long time to be away from my best friend.

Not enough time to help my daughter recover and adjust to two little ones.

A long time to be away from my own baby and her busy and stressful life.

Mark and Jennifer will join me for the weekend, after a week.

Then three will go home and four will remain.

And a little bit of my heart will remain there too.

I'm glad Lynn will be coming soon after I leave.

I know Amy will be in good hands.

All will be well... but I will miss them even more

because there will be more to miss.

I'm assuming someone will get back to me about apparating....

'cause then I wouldn't need a time turner...

thanks

Finding out...

This is Amy three weeks ago at 17 weeks

{I copied the picture from her blog}

Last Friday we found out if she's having a boy or girl.

After considering everyone's schedules - not an easy task. We finally decided on 4:00 pm as the time to skype and discover the exciting news... granddaughter #3 or do we have a little blue in our posterity?

But just blurting it out seems so... un Amy like

Amy has always loved celebrating and goes the extra mile to make events extra special. This is certainly an extra special event soooo...... the two of us put our heads together to come up with a method of announcement worthy of the news!

It involved a little prep on my part but it was worth every second.

Because her appointment wouldn't be over until 11:30 at the earliest I need to make sure we were covered for both possibilities (and I could safely hide the evidence) I baked two cakes:

 let them cool and then followed the Recipe and idea here

(a link from Amy's blog)

 Basically you break up the cooled cake, add some cream cheese frosting and mix it in. Then your form it into little balls, chill and dip them in chocolate. I should have thought about how I was going to do it because it wasn't a very smooth delivery BUT the results is the same:

BOY

Here he is sucking his thumb!

We are SO excited!

Creating

There's something about taking warm silky bread dough out of the bread machine and forming it into loaves that is so satisfying to me.

Something about taking kernels of wheat and making them into something

that smells and tastes so good and is also good for you.

(Butterick pattern picture)

Amy is making this Cinderella dress for Ruby. 

(Like the one in the picture but blue of course)

It's her first big project. It looks amazing and Ruby is so excited,

We were talking the other day about the experience of taking a piece of fabric

and working with it until it's something usable and beautiful.

It's challenging and sometimes frustrating but overall 

it seems like kind of a miracle that we can do that.

Jennifer sat down at the piano the other day and began to play a song.

It's not one that I had heard her play before.

I assumed it was a new song. I was right - in a way.

Jennifer was creating a new song.

We printed out some paper so she could write it down and play it again.

It's still a work in progress but amazing to me as I listen and watch her work on it.

And then I think about the most awesome act of creation.

I think about the little baby moving and growing inside of Amy

How amazing is it that she can be partners with God in creating people!

And Friday we will learn a little more about this little person.

Boy or girl? Any predictions?

More about creating here

One good woman

"...the influence of righteous, conscientious, persistent, daily mothering is far more lasting, far more powerful, far more influential than any earthly position or institution invented by man. Righteous women have changed the course of history and will continue to do so, and their influence will spread and grow exponentially throughout the eternities." Julie B. Beck

Finding just the right quote to celebrate the 25th anniversary of Amy's birth was challenging but I think this one fits her quite well.

At 25 Amy has done most of the regular things most kids do:
attend school, take piano lessons, had a few pets, played that flute, taken gymnastics lessons (and competed too), cheer leading, high school color guard, graduated from college with a degree in teaching, taught kindergarten for one year.

Amy has done some extraordinary things too:
worked at an orphanage in Haiti, spent two semesters working at an orphanage in Romania, married an incredible young man in the temple, given birth to a beautiful daughter (and is expecting another baby).

While the last few things may seem ordinary Amy understands the influence one good woman can have and cares for her family in an extraordinary way.

It's hard to believe that 25 years ago I held my second baby in my arms and today Amy is a few months from doing the same thing.
(cue "Circle of life" music while I grab a tissue)
Sorry for the cheese but I can't help it.

I stand in awe as I watch her.
Amy, you are amazing.
I am so blessed to be your mom.
I hope your day is totally awesome!

I love you!

PS Amy also takes fabulous pictures, check out her giveaway here.

I promise that the next post will not be so gooey

Moms

This is my mom circa summer 1968, Canoga Park CA.

This picture was taken before church in the corner of my back yard at 23351 Bassett Street.
in the picture are my mom, baby Linda, Lisa, Me, Julie, Greg

I love this picture.

I love that my mom was quiet stylish.
I love that she was not frustrated with us (look at the expression on her face) when we were trying to get out to church and we were not being exactly cooperative as my dad tried to get our picture. Look how good we all looked! AND we were ready early! That's impressive.
She has always know that people are more important than many other things.
She seems to enjoy the fact that I was looking up to my big sister and trying to figure out how to be more like her.

Most of what I know about being a mom I learned from my Mom.
My mom is incredibly patient and has great empathy.
I never resented my younger siblings.
I always knew there was room in her heart for all of us.
I remember her rearranging children on her lap to make room for just one more.

Being a mom is one of my very favorite titles
and most important responsibility ever.
I am in awe of each of my children.
What incredible and amazing individuals they are.
Each one has challenged me in different ways and
brought growth and unspeakable joy that could come in no other way.
I am so proud of each one of them.

One thing that is a great source of joy to me is to watch my married children with their spouses and children. Sometimes it seems surreal to me that I'm at this point.
I am so thankful that my granddaughters have the best mothers ever!

Happy Mothers Day Mom
and Amy and Celisa too!
I love these incredible women.

Amy Started it!

Count downs that is.

For years we counted down days till birthdays, Holidays, graduations, missionaries leaving and coming home, weddings, anniversaries, days till people came home from foreign countries, baby's due dates. Even count downs that we had to guess what we were counting down to. All of this we did on our dry erase board. Then the time came when the dry erase board began to look a little shabby - not shabby chic - just well, bad. When we did some remodeling in the kitchen last summer the dry erase board went to DI. We replaced it with a magnetic board - which has been nice - but it didn't allow for count downs, let alone pure creativity.

As we talked about decorating ideas I suggested a chalkboard wall and was surprised at the enthusiastic response. We finished it last week and it has been received with great enthusiasm.

It did require a bit of work though... sanding and filling... more sanding
followed by much dusting (of the whole house!).
Priming, painting, waiting and painting and waiting some more.

It's been enjoyed - and yes were are counting down hours until Rob gets home.

PS Did you see the little sneak peak of the new color in the dining room?
Do you care? ;)

A little bragging...

Sorry, but I just can't help it.
Amy just set up an etsy shop to sell her super cute hair clips.
If you need some awesome stocking stuffers
or something nice to complete
a gift for that sweet little sugar and spice in your life
go to Rubies and Violets
*love love love the name!*

And in celebration of opening her shop she is having a giveway
check it out here.

While you're there check out her amazing photography.
She is one talented young lady!

Splinched

For those of you who are not Harry Potter fans,
Splinching takes place when one travels by appirition but appirates incompletely leaving part of oneself behind - painful and not pretty (as Ron learned in Book 7 when he accidentally left his ear or was it a piece of his arm behind?).

I am beginning to know what if feels like to be splinched.
In June I traveled to Sacramento and left part of me there.
Now I will travel to Champaign Illinois and leave another part of me there.
Leaving a missionary at the MTC is a kind of splinching
but you know they will return and be close by a little longer...
so it's not quite the same as what I'm feeling now.

(this is not to be confused with creating a Hoarcrux -
which I am definitely NOT doing)

I also feel splinched when I leave family still at home to help a child move. Glad I can be helping but missing my family at home.

(It seems I'm kind of a mess doesn't it?)

Our family moves into a new and different state as our children begin to reside more permanantly in different states.

It feels odd.

I often feel incomplete without my children close by.
I suppose I will get used to it...
but then again I'm not sure It's something I want to get used to.

I need a plan.
Something I can count on.
Someway to count the days until we'll be in the same room again.
Able to play games together, to share a meal together, to crawl on the floor with our grandbabies again, and gather our own children and their spouses in our arms, even if it's only for a few short days.

Until then I remain splinched.
Unless someone knows how to fix it...
Anyone?

Party ON Some more

We have the joy of having Amy with us on her Birthday this year..

Amy is an amazing young lady. She is a loving sister and daughter.
She is an awesome mother and devoted wife.
She is one of my best friends.
She has a tender heart and strong testimony of the gospel.
She inspires me to do and to be better.
Happy Birthday Amy!
We love you!

Home again

This is my view of the kitchen immediately to the left. Jen and I got back from Youth Conference this morning and the drop ceiling in the kitchen was mostly gone. A crew of plumbers are here now moving the plumbing up between the floor joists. The electrician will be here tomorrow to put in canned lights (and two new light fixtures) and then the sheet rocker will come and finish the ceiling.

This is also my view a little further to the left. They decided they could work more easily if they took out some of the cabinets... so the contents are on the kitchen table.
The pantry cabinets (where this stuff belongs) won't be here for another two weeks...

So I'm blogging

My trip to Sacramento went well.
Jordan and Amy have a really nice place.
Jordan likes his job and has already been chosen to work on an audit in LA next week.
The ward they are in is awesome and Amy has already met some other stay at home moms in her complex. Ruby mastered the slide at the playground and the swimming pool is very fun. While change is challenging I feel like they have a really good start and will do well.

The day I left I struggled with my emotions.
I knew if I started crying it would be hard to stop for both me and Amy
and we would both be miserable.
In moments when felt like I was going to loose it I prayed and felt a real sense of peace and was able to compose myself quickly.

The airport was hard.

I anticipated what I might do in the airport if I started sobbing uncontrollably.
It would be awkward but maybe if I just went into the bathroom ...
But again I knew my prayers were answered and I was able to do what I needed to in the airport to get checked in, maneuver through security and find my gate. Even waiting at the gate I felt such a sweet peace that all would be fine. With so many emotions I have felt and the amount of tears I have shed this was truly a miracle.

And I even got to talk to Christian in Germany to wish him a Happy Birthday!

Now to find a camera to put on the computer so we can skype...

Did You Know?

FACT: Sacramento is only 691 miles from Provo.
We could do that in a day!

FACT: Lake Tahoe is between Provo and Sacramento.
So is Yosemite.

FACT: Jordan took a job in Sacramento and they will be moving there
to begin work June 1st.

I see a whole new area in which to explore and plan vacations.

I guess I can live with that.

Another birthday

August 11 was Amy's birthday, she turned 23. I'm a little late... but then so was she. She was due on her dad's birthday but decided she wanted her own birthday. From the moment she was born Amy has been a joy. Although she was my only baby that was overdue, she was my easiest labor and the smallest by over a pound! The doctor even commented on how easy she was to deliver. She was a daddy's girl right off the bat - crying until he held her for the first time then she settled right down. She's so organized and on top of things and so creative. I want to be more like her. She really has a sense of what she wants out of life and she's willing to work to get it. She's a great example of service too, she has such a tender heart. It's hard to believe that now she has her own little girl. She 's such an amazing mother in every way. I look at her and I'm in awe at what a great person she has become and the direction she and her wonderful husband are going. She's such a great blessing to all that know her. Her kindergarten class is going to love her!

Happy belated birthday Amy! I love you!