Merry Christmas Everyone!

Just thought I would take a quick second, before I start what might become a hectic day, to wish y'all a merry Christmas. It has been a great year and I am glad we are finally where we are. We have been blessed by family and friends, in ways too numerous to list. Let me just say that without all of you, none of what we do would be possible.
Quick update on the McCord Larsen Family: I have been helping Mom and Dad a little by tearing out the Kitchen in their house. When we are done, Mom will have a huge kitchen. It really has been a heck of a project. I am also training a new horse to rope, his name is Spooky, and he is about 14.1 hands and 10 year old. Jet black with the cutest little head ever. He is Darwin Jensen's horse, and a stud, but you would never know he is a stud, he is pretty flippin' gentle. I think he will come right along.
Olivia has been busy the last week making Christmas Chocolates with her mother. They made a metric ton of candy this year, which is always raved about by whoever receives it. She also has been busy with decorating our little home with the limited resources we have. She does such a great job.
Harrison has figured out that shaking his head means something, unfortunately, he thinks it means "yes." So, you can ask him if he wants more candy and he will violently shake his head and sign "please." It is a bit confusing, and very funny. He enjoyed the lights when we went to Rock Creek and he LOVED the camel. I think this kid has the same problem his parents have, but worse: he loves animals. (Olivia likes "pets" and I like stock animals, Harrison likes them all).
Pictures to follow, hopefully...

We're mobile!!!

FYI: the reason for the text color change is so things can be read on iPhones, iPads and Blackberrys. Olivia didn't sound too excited about the deal, but now we can read it from mobile devices, so check us out on the bus, train or plane. Please don't blog and drive, I mean, I could defend you, but I'd rather you spent you're money on Christmas for the kids...

Some gifts...

Not to sound ungrateful, but nobody told me that the little rider toy that Alison and Riley gave Harrison was a talking toy. Not only does it talk, but it is bilingual. I do not mind that fact, I think a little second language is good for the boy, but the damn toy is stuck in Spanish. He's only been riding it for 10 minutes this morning and I am ready to set it on fire!
Seriously though, life in the Larsen home has been good. We are safe and warm and you cannot really ask for more. I have been working like a red-headed stepchild and learning a lot. I have cases in all sorts of areas of the law, it really is fun not knowing what will come through the door next, but it does mean I have to say something most attorneys never want to say to a client: "I don't know..." There just is so much out there to know. The fun part is, despite what D-Mac at U of I Law said, that in a small town people are okay with that.
Just FYI to all those traveling through Southern Idaho this season: please feel free to stop by! We do miss our friends from all parts of our life together, those from childhood all the way through law skool. Just give us a holler, we can meet up for a meal out by the freeway if you want, or you can come way off the beaten path and visit our humble home.
Hope all of you are doing well this Christmas Season. I hope Olivia makes a post with her decorations, she is having a good time decking our halls, or hall, as it is.

CHEESE!

So here we are, just before Thanksgiving, and we have so much to be thankful for. Firstly, McCord passed the Bar and is working. A Lot.

Next, our families is taking such good care of us. Vance and Joan are letting us stay in the house until the spring so the business can get rolling. Unfortunately I am too lazy to unpack to boxes that have been sitting downstairs since May. We can deal.

We also are invited to dinners quite often, which means I don't have to cook and cleanup is minimal :)

Third, for this little stinkbug:

He's recently learned to "cheese" it. Don't know where, or how because I'm sure we didn't teach him that. Smart little kid will say cheese every time the camera or our phones come out. And he must use real utensils to eat. None of that small colored plastic stuff. Hence the splattering of chocolate pudding all over his face and clothes. Ahhh, but I love this kid. Every night we snuggle up before bed and identify facial features and body parts. He understands them all, except his belly button. It is regularly confused with mans unmentionables. I don't understand it. But we're learning. And I love it.

Last, but not least, the gospel. As we've struggled to make ends meet these past few months I keep referring to my patriarchal blessing for comfort. There's been a few weeks where there was nothing (in monetary terms). McCord's pickup has been in the shop for two months and still there was nothing. I honestly don't know how people can make it through without the knowledge that Christ lives, he loves us, and will help us if we are obedient and faithful. We have scriptures to guide and direct us, to find answers and comfort.

I really love our ward. They have been so sweet and supportive. I especially love their stories and testimonies. I find such comfort in hearing their woes and sorrows only to find that because of their faithfulness, all things came out ok. Not perfect, but just enough to grow. These little trails are preparing us for some big trial, or mid life crisis, in order for us to be more obedient and faithful. Heavenly Father has something waiting for us to receive and wants us to fully appreciate his blessings.

So there we are folks. In Burley and lovin life. But not this weather.

Really? It just had to be windy and snowing and freezing cold for Thanksgiving?

Ridiculous.

I guess it's time...

For a new post. We're lame, I know. Since April we have done many a things. Mac graduated from Law school (hooray!). I am so proud of him and all the work he put in to provide for his family. I hope he knows how much I love him and that Harrison loves him. This family would surely fall apart without your level head (or at least I would). The real stress set in as he began to study for the Bar. Admittedly I think it went a lot better than I expected, but McCord tells me I'm crazy so... maybe it was that bad. He did really well staying focused (he studied at home) and keeping his cool. It was nice to have him around for lunch. We watched Arrested Development and King of the Hill and watched Harrison dance to the music of the opening and closing credits. That kid is nuts! The Bar is now over and now we get to play the awful game of waiting. September 16th come quick! In the mean time he is working with local attorney James Annest, who is 83 and thinking he'd like to retire in three years... yeah... So we'll see where that takes us.

Harrison loves being around his grandma's and grandpa and great grandparents (he has two sets of each within a 2 mile radius of eachother). They love on him and spoil him so much it's almost disgusting. Although I am quite impartial being his mother and all, so of course I love his kisses and hugs and almost become jealous when he doesn't share them with me. He's become quite the ladies man over the past few weeks. He runs around giving hugs and kisses and does he's fake cheesy laugh all the while. He's such a goof, but he my goof and I love it! I think I am finally starting to really enjoy being a mother. I miss the days of his smallness and neediness but am so thrilled to watch him play and learn and grow everyday. Sometimes I miss working, but being home with Harrison has been so fulfilling. I love this little man and want to enjoy all his quirks and giggles before he's too cool for me. He turned one in May and his birthday was actually kinda sad. We celebrated in the backyard after the graduation ceremony with our families. Harrison was so tired by then that he looked at his cake, poked it a few times, then started to cry. He didn't open presents, and was not in the least interested in having ice cream. I just took him up stairs, bathed him, then we sat down for a long snuggle. I think he was a bit overwhelmed with all the excitement, and really really tired. He had a few gifts from Pat and Tim and his cousins that we opened the next morning. I think his cousins were more interested in the toys that he was, but he's coming to really love his stick horse. It broke my heart to have such a disappointing birthday, but I guess it won't matter that much because he won't remember. Oh well. Maybe next year...

After the cake, everyone else headed down to the shed and loaded our stuff into the horse trailer. I had almost all of our stuff boxed and ready to load when everyone arrived. Mac's parents took the trailer down for us, and whatever else we had went into the pickup. And let me tell ya, it was a VERY full pickup. I barely had room for my feet.

So here is the long anticipated list of Harrison's latest and greatest:

• loves his horse and kitty, and tries very hard to make their respective noises
• he's really beginning to love books and pulls his favorites around all day (he'll bring them to me then turn around and wait for me to put him on my lap)
• loves to play with: toothbrushes, paintbrushes, any of my crafting supplies, cups, the diaper bag, canned foods, books, horses, kitties or any other soft stuffed animal, sticks or anything resembling, the stroller, anything he can lift and carry or push/pull, his high chair, straws, our clothes, ropes, Grandpa's steers and horses, the dirt and all other ingredients found in the arena, swings, the slide, the trampoline, sprinklers, puddles, plastic Tupperware and mixing bowls, Great-G-pa's cane and oxygen tube, toy cars/tractors/airplanes/etc, marbles, fake fruit, pots and pans.... and the list goes on. But those seem to be his most beloved :)
• his appetite is growing and now likes: banana's (it's the first thing he grabs when we go to Grandma Larsen's), watermelon, apples, peaches, pears, grapes, cheerios, trix, rice krispies, kix and basically any cereal, cheese, graham crackers, chicken, granola bars, lifesaver mints or any other type of mint flavored item/ingestible (which includes, but is not limited to lip gloss, floss, and cleaning supplies), beans, rice, pasta, spinach, carrots, celery, cranberry juice, potatoes, chicken nuggets, fry sauce all by itself; French Dip sandwiches; he will basically try anything we give him, but hose are the basics.
• He likes to flush the toilet and throw things in the bathtub. It's a good last place to look :)
• watch food in the microwave and oven, especially his milk
• he has a demanding need to watch as I cook, even if he gets burned or hurt.
• fans and turning the lights on and off
• play with any electronic device, and get especially mad when we take it away
• plays telephone and we're trying to teach him to say hello in Japanese
• eat the tree seeds he finds outside. it's quite disgusting.
• or anything else he finds, including bird poop (he has yet to actually swallow), sticks, bugs (dead or alive), regurgitated grapes, and pocket fuzz.
• playing in his poop during diaper changes
• squealing when he likes something, yelling when he's mad
• opening and closing the blinds
• playing in the bathroom drawers, and sneakily hiding my makeup and hair products

Dislikes:

• bedtime
• changing clothes, although he is being to be more helpful putting his arms through
• changing diapers
• the car seat
• time out
• coming inside from playing in the puddles, or the road
• spicy foods
• lightening and thunder (we've had a lot of random thunder storms the past two weeks)
• getting poked in the eye with his sticks
• putting shoes on

That's all I can think of right now for his dislikes. Of course, you all know how mean mommies can be and that's really where the dislikes begin ;) He's also learned how to throw a really good temper tantrum and we love listening to that. His speech is improving and that mouth moves faster each day. He has lots of things to say, and someday, it'll be interesting to know what it all means. But for now, I'll enjoy my ignorance of his language :)

He's stared spinning in circles when he's trying to show off or really hyper/tired, which is so funny to watch. We'll get a video of his spinning soon. When he's mad, he'll scream and start to back up. I think we need to get him a beeping sensor so he knows when he'll hit his head. That darn kitchen table gets him all the time. I also think it's time for his first haircut. He gets mistaken for a girl all the time. I just don't want to because he has the cutest curls in the back! But it's time, especially because he has a sweet mullet designed all by nature. It looks so silly, but cute at the same time. I just love this little guy!

As for me, I've spent my time reading blogs, doing housework, and scrapbooking. I've also started couponing, but that's another post entirely. I've gotten so many pages done for H-bomb's scrapbook these last two months! I think it's true that using creativity begets more creativity. It's like a muscle, if you don't flex it and keep it in shape, you lose it. It gets weak and flimsy and its just better to keep in toned. So, that is my goal: to keep my creative muscles in shape. as for my physical muscles, well..... they stay in shape by hoisting Harrison and chasing him around ;) Good 'nuff, right? Right. I have about 5 lbs left to lose from being pregnant, but I'm not really concerned with that as much as fitting into the jeans I bought right before I found out I was pregnant. I can't let those beauties go to waste! They're the last real pair I've bought in almost two years! Except for those jeans I bought for my birthday.......... Do they have rehab for addiction to jeans? I think I should apply at the Buckle again. Or maybe just get some kind of job. Mac would greatly appreciate that. But for know I will wallow in self pity and have some ice cream. And hopefully, add another page to the scrapbooks!

So that's the latest and greatest from us. Pictures to follow....

Final Finals Weeks...

I never thought it would come, but my last final is fast approaching, it is on Monday. I only have this one final and I am having a tough time getting up the "give a darn" to study for it. Personally, I think that it should be policy of the U of I College of Law to waive all finals for third year students. Not possible, but it'd be nice.
In other news, and probably more newsworthy, Olivia and Harrison are in Burley, on vacation. Olivia is actually doing recon work, checking out our rental and getting things in order for our move back to B-Town. FYI: we are moving after finals to Burley. I will study for the bar there and take it in Boise. We have rented a home south of town, thanks to very wonderful people. We will be in a Pella ward. After I take the bar, I am going to open my own solo practice. It is extremely scary, but pretty exciting.
Olivia and Baby Son will be home next Monday. Meanwhile they are staying with Grandma Risa and visiting with some of our family that is in Burley. Hopefully, Olivia will update as to her trip to Clovis, NM to visit my sister, Kresta, and her family. It sounds like it was quite the trip.
Also, Harrison is taking steps and making lots of noise. It is fun when Olivia gives him the phone and he laughs at me, or he giggles because he finally gets to hold the phone. I miss my little family, but it is okay, this will be over soon.
Well, this is a short update, but not too much has changed. Feel free to ask questions in the comment section, if needed. Thanks!

Wednesdays

I have come to love Wednesdays this semester. Why? No class, that is why. It makes the week go by a ton faster to have a day in the middle that we treat kind of like Saturday. Today I studied for the MPRE, yes, I am taking it AGAIN. Sonuva! I am not to thrilled, but I am trying to study more this time. After I studied, we loaded up and went to Lewiston. We tried out a dry cleaner, at Pat and Tim's recommendation, Busy Bee. Seems pretty good. Then we hit up the only LDS bookstore within a few hundred miles. Then over to Costco, in Clarkston. It never ceases to amaze me how much we spend there, and how much we DON'T buy. But, you gotta love the dadgum pizza. Good stuff.
Sunday was interesting. Olivia and I had been asked to speak. She woke up sick, so I went to church alone. The Dan Bell family was also speaking (they did a great job). I spoke last. It was good to share the thoughts that I had. My subject matter was service, a topic that is quite dear to my heart. I think we all have room to improve. There are opportunities all around us. we should use them and serve our brothers and sisters.
Things are moving rapidly. Before you know it, I will be a Law Skool Grad. Pretty frickin crazy. I sure am glad this is almost over. This has not been an easy task, and I don't think I would want to do it again, but I am glad that I have plodded along and done it. MOst of the credit should go to Olivia and Harrison. If not for them, I think I would have picked up and left about two years ago. To all my young 1L friends I say: you are not the first to feel the way you do, many others have sat in your chair and taken the crap that is law school. They persevered and so can you. I am thankful for good friends who were inspired to say words of encouragement. Thank you very much. I hope all of you are well and that life is treating you kind. May the wind be at your back, the Sun shine on your face, and may the Good Lord take a liking to ya'll.

Hey! Do me a solid!

For the sake of our marriage, would ya'll check out the link on the sidebar titled "Paper Pals." This is Olivia's favorite store and we are trying to help them get hits on their blog. It really is a nice scrapbooking store, and they really like Harrison, so what's not to love.
On another semi-unrelated note: we traveled to Lewiston/Clarkston today. We took Spiral Highway, otherwise known as the spaghetti road. It was neat. Heck, at the top is a boot shop/souvenir store. Stop in and see Melvin. He is a nice feller. Then we went allover the twin cities. Stops at Costco, Orchard's Pawn, Lolo Sporting Goods and Primeland Co-operative. Then we took 195 to Pullman, to Paper Pals. I think Olivia should post, so I am outta here.

Ah, Sunday Afternoon...

I love Sunday. Many reasons for this, one being its the day to go to Church and enjoy the society of my fellow saints another is its really the only day Olivia and I get to spend a whole lot of time together. Right now she is playing the piano and Harrison is playing with a set of old license plates. Fun to watch? Yes. That little booger, earlier today, crawled up stairs at church. Now we really have to watch him!
Had a bit of a mix up this week, almost thought I was graduated. I thought I was at least 6 credits short, but the school academic advisor told me she thought i had enough credits to be finished. Visions of leaving Moscow and heading home to the Magic Valley filled my head. We got pretty excited. But, alas, she was wrong. I am actually 3 credits short of graduation. So, I will lighten my load and start to study for the bar.
I am going to try to post more often, and encourage Olivia to post her thoughts, even her "scrappy" ones. I don't know if we mentioned it, but she now has a 24" Cricut. It really is a neat machine, even if it cost an arm and a leg. Well, I am off to go to town to do a little HT. Have a nice day!

Well, it has really been a while...

Sorry for the hiatus, things have been a little crazy around here. Harrison is crawling everywhere, and thus the need to move things has hit. We have also started bathing him in the kitchen sink, he loves playing in the water and letting me hose him down with the flex hose. He is just growing like a dadgum weed. Harrison also attended quite a few law school classes. Just like dad, he paid attention mostly, until he would fall asleep to the droning of the professor.
Olivia finished up a trying semester, it was kinda tough to balance all her piano classes/practice with taking care of Harrison. She was pretty busy (and a little strung out), so this semester she is working at the Kid Care department of the North Idaho Athletic Club. She has also been working out, as membership to the club is part of her wages. For Christmas she got a huge surprise: a Cricut (the BIG one)! I think she likes it...
This is my last semester of school, ever! (I hope.) I had a fun semester, still yet to see grades, but I did calculations to know that only if I got all D's would I flunk out, so I am pretty sure I am okay. I took a bankruptcy class with a lab, and believe it or not, I kinda enjoy bankruptcy. I may think it is foolish that the remedy exists, but since it does, I am okay with helping people use it. I also took water law 1 & 2. Very fun. Water law 1 was the first A grade to show up on my transcript, so far. I was pleased. Steve Carpenter and I did a project for Negotiation and Appropriate Dispute Resolution that "forced" us to go to Lewiston and watch a livestock auction. It was quite entertaining and good clean fun, I think we may have had the liveliest presentation, according to our classmates.
This semester I am taking a law practice management course, Advanced Bankruptcy, Water Policy and Property Securities. It should be a fun semester, at least sorta laid back, as compared to the rest of school. We will be posting pictures, and hopefully Olivia posts her own update, so you get her side of the story...
Well, thats all the news from Lake Woebegone, were all the men are handsome, the women are strong and all the children are above average.