Letters to my Parents, the International Travelers: #3

I realize that it has been a while since my last letter to you, and I do apologize. It's been a very busy week around here. And when I say busy I do mean nothing nearly as busy as yours, of course. While it's true that I've been busy with cooking and cleaning and errands and social events and church callings, (you know, normal house-wifery) you two have been busy traveling through Europe. Let's have a quick re-cap of this weeks travels, shall we?

The Trevi Fountain, Italy

When we last spoke, you were enjoying Austria. From Austria you made your way south to Italy. Did you visit the Trevi Fountain? Did you toss in a coin?

Did you make a wish? Has it come true?

And how was Vatican City? Did you see the Pope?

And what about the Leaning Tower of Pisa?

And the Colosseum?

Oh boy. And to think you did all of that in just a few days. I'm tired just thinking about it.

After a few days in Italy you moved across the map to Switzerland. When I think Switzerland I think yodeling. And really good chocolate. Oh, and Disneyland. Like the Matterhorn, you know? I imagine the real one is quite a bit more majestic.

And as of our phone conversation this morning you were enjoying springtime in Paris! I liked hearing that Dad pretends to have conversations with people in French, even though he doesn't speak more than 2 words of the language. I should be able to help you in this department, as I took 3 years of French in high school. But I can't, since all I bothered to really learn and commit to memory during those 3 years was

"Bonjour, mon nom est Rebecca. Je suis et l'etudiant Americain, et je veux embrasser un garcon Francais. Aeriez-vous m'embrasser, aussi?"

But don't say that to anybody there. Not unless you want to be kissed by a french boy...

Tonight you are going to have dinner at the Eiffel Tower, and then end your evening with a tour through the city on a horse drawn carriage. I have only one word. Dreamy.

Please enjoy the remainder of your vacation. Try not to miss us too much. Be safe. We love you!

Love,

The Speakmans

p.s. Thank you very much for picking up the thing I requested from Paris. This makes me happy. I'll not go into detail here, as it is something of a personal item...

Letters to my Parents, the International Travelers: #2

Dear Mom and Dad,

It was so nice to talk to you both again this morning (or late evening, to you). I was happy to hear you enjoyed your time in Germany. And how exciting for you to be able to stay right at the foot of Neuscwanstein Castle. What a way to end your time there. Was Dad sad to say good-bye to his beloved Germany again? If so, I imagine he'll get over it in no time since your vacation has now taken you south-west to AUSTRIA!

I have dreamed of visiting Austria since I was a little girl for two reasons and two reasons only:

1. To run and sing and dance through the hills a la Julie Andrews in the Sound of Music. Mom, Dad, are you singing and dancing through those glorious Austrian hills? Please tell me you are...

2. To visit this pretty little glass gazebo and get caught inside it with my lover during a down-pouring of rain, so we can pretend for a minute that the year is 1938 and that we are Leisl and Rolf. Dreamy, isn't it...
But enough about me.

We are all missing you lots, especially your grandson. I take him over to your house with me every day when I go to clean up after your pets and your 21 year old son, and every time we go over there he walks through your house looking for you. It is very cute. He will be so happy to see you both when you return next week. His 1st birthday party is tomorrow, and even though we are excited for it, we will be missing you there.

Please enjoy yourselves and your time in Austria. We love you, and we'll talk to you again soon!

Love,
The Speakmans

p.s. Dad -- I think it would be great if you could buy a cd full of yodeling music while you are in Austria. You are a fantastic yodeler, and it has been a while since you've shared this talent of yours with us. Nathan has never seen you do it, and he would really like to. He is a dork and likes yodeling music, too.

This time last year...

Picture of me, October 2008. I was 5 months pregnant and really starting to show. When Nathan showed me this picture, I cried. I thought I looked liked a whale, and that pregnancy had completely ruined my body. If only I had known what was coming...

This time last year I was pregnant. Very, very pregnant. My due date had been determined to be March 10th. I put a lot of stock in that date, this being my first pregnancy and all. I spent 30 weeks (we didn't find out I was pregnant until I was almost 12 weeks along) counting down the days until March 10th. I couldn't sleep the night before. I was completely full of joy and anticipation. Tomorrow, our long awaited baby would arrive. I was ready to finally have him here. And more importantly, I was done with being pregnant.

This time last year I was past my due date, and that made me cranky. March 10th had come and gone without even the slightest of a contraction. After weeks of waiting, we would have to wait some more. And yes, I would have to remain in my pregnant state for at least a few more days.

This time last year I was extremely uncomfortable. The child who was waring out his welcome in my apparently very comfortable uterus was a big baby, and this did not agree with my not so big frame. The child I was carrying was so big, in fact, that my friends and family (and even some very nosey strangers) were sure I was going to have twins.

Either twins, or a basketball...

Photo of me March 11th, 2009. One day after my due date, and very heavy with child. Can you see why I was less than excited to stay pregnant and longer than I absolutely had to?

Letters to my Parents, the International Travelers: #1

Image of Frankfurt, Germany via Google Images

Dear Mom and Dad,

We got your voicemail and we are all very happy to hear that you are enjoying Germany! How was your flight? And the weather? I hear it is snowing! I do hope you both packed a heavy coat.

I am so glad that Dad was able to re-connect with one of the sisters from his mission. And I love that you attended Fast and Testimony meeting on the other side of the world, and that Dad was able to bear his Testimony in German. What a neat experience for him to have all these years after his mission there.

All is well here at home, in case you were wondering. So far I have been successful in keeping your dogs, your cat, and your son alive. We quite like having Robert here as our guest. Auden follows him around the house and calls him "Ro-Ro". It is very cute.

We miss you. We hope you are having a great time. We are looking forward to your next phone call. Nathan says don't forget to eat a Ruben for him. Auden says don't forget his Laderhosen. I say don't forget that European purse hold I taught you.

We love you!

Love,

The Speakmans

Cousin Love

Curious who Audens valentine will be this year?

Besides his mama?

This little cutie pie. Miss Nevaeh Jean!

Nevaeh is the most clever 4 year old I know. She is also Audens cousin. She agreed to be his valentine, but I'm pretty sure that is only because I told her that means he would have to get her a valentines day gift.

I snapped a few photos of these two playing together at the park yesterday. She is so good with him and we are always happy when she comes to play.

We hope you get to spend some time with the one you love this weekend, too!

Super bowl and my super family

We had a fantastic time watching the super bowl this past sunday.
(Go Saints?!...Go Colts?!... Manning?!...Brees?!... I really didn't care.)

And the food! We could have fed an army. Meatballs and taquitos and chips and salsas and vegetables and dips and cheese sticks and wings and even a sub. I ate way too much.

We invited a few people to come enjoy the game (and the feast) with us. Sarah and Justin came and brought their cute kids too. The game was all well and good, but my favorite part of the evening was watching Auden play with his cousins. (And the food. Did I mention the food?)

One of my favorite pictures of the day

Auden with cousin Bella

Braxton keeping Elvis company out back

Isn't she too stinkin cute!? Makes me want another one. Maybe of the female variety this time?

My favorite thing about living in Mesa is that we are close to our family. I love that Auden can walk across the street (supervised, of course) and be at his grandma and papa's front door. I love that his great-grandparents live just around the corner. Or that he can have play dates with his cousins at anytime. I love that he has the best aunts and uncles in the world, and that he gets to see them so often.

We are so grateful for all of our family and that they love us unconditionally.

Even those of us who maybe ate way too much during the big game.

Rain, Rain, Don't go Away

It has been raining on us for 2 days straight, and we are loving it! Cold, cloudy, and raining? Yup. That is my kind of weather. Yesterday we took Auden for a walk around the block and let him splash around in the puddles for a little bit. He really had a good time.

And yes, he is rocking a bomber jacket.

This is what our street looks like tonight. Like I said, cold, cloudy, and raining. It has been a beautiful day!

Introducing... The Speakmans

My name is Rebecca. I am a wife and a mother and a home-maker, and I love it! My husbands name is Nathan. We have been married almost 4 years. He is not just any husband, he is the best husband in the whole world. Trust me. I know. Our sons name is Auden. He is 10 months old and he is awesome. Oh, and we have a dog. His name is Elvis and he is part of the family. Our little family lives in Mesa, Arizona, close to family and friends, and we love it here.

And now it's your turn. Tell me a little bit about you. Let's be friends!