Officers in Training

Lizzy and Jenny get a taste of the LAW ...

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Tonight at bedtime . . .

Tonight, as I was putting Lizzy and Jenny down to bed . . .

Jenny: "Mommy, you are the mommy I always wanted. You are the sweetest mommy. You are the boss of me!"

I about cried, it was so sweet.

Lizzy: "You just stepped on my imaginary friend!"

;)

Maia's Islands

For family night tonight, I asked Maia to draw a picture of her dream home. She came up with Maia's Islands--a series of connectable islands with everything imaginable. I want to move there!

Super Sandy Climb (Climb a super-sandy mountain)
Super-swim (Swim with a water volcano)
Fantastic Food (Eat anything imaginable at this restaurant)
Wonderful Waves (Surf the adjustable-height waves)
Sand Castle Sand (Build sand castles)
Black Beach Park (Slide, swing, and go on the monkey bars)
Scary Slides Waterpark (Defy gravity on the Double-N jump)
Class Camp (Learn about everything under the sun inside)
Movie Madness (Watch any movie ever made)
Rest-and-Relax (Sleep, relax, and hang out in this cabana-style home)
Tourist Takes (Take pictures of cool underwater life)

Jenny vs. the Beach

I had a BIG scare today with Jenny. She wandered off at the beach while I was in the bathroom (and someone else was supposed to be watching her), and we couldn't find her anywhere!!! No one that we had come with had seen her, either.

I was absolutely terrified. Jeff and I each took a direction and called for her. No luck. Then I raced to the lifeguard station, praying with all of my heart that someone could find her. As I approached, the lifeguard asked, "Are you Amy Cook?"

 "Yes!" I replied. "How did you know?"

 "We have a little girl at the other lifeguard station. She said, 'My mom is Amy Cook. And my name is Jenny.'" I sprinted to the other lifeguard tower and encircled her in a bear hug.

"Mommy," she asked, "Why did you run the other way?" She had seen me trot to the bathroom, and was trying to follow but couldn't catch up.

 "Did you go to the lifeguard tower yourself?" I asked incredulously.

 "My friends brought me," she replied simply. I'll never know who these friends were, but tonight I am offering many prayers of gratitude for these amazing friends that kept my Jenny safe.

Crazy bird!

For the past two weeks, we have had a visitor. He comes in the morning and politely pecks. When no one answers, he backs up, takes a flying leap, and propels himself into our window. We can't figure out why this bird wants to get inside! I'm tempted to let him in and see what he finds so fascinating at our house!

Happy Easter!

For Easter this year, Jeff and I went with his family to Palm Springs. Melissa and James, and Carrie and Andy joined us on this fabulous Spring adventure.

Jake enjoyed riding the coin-operated helicopter with Lizzy and Jenny!

The kiddos spent hours finding Easter eggs--then hiding them for each other!

Hailey enjoyed our trip to the outlet mall.

The girls loved getting their toenails painted!

We had so much fun, we're going to make Carrie plan our Easter vacation every year! ;)

Navigating the Monkey Bars

I've learned something about myself the past few months: I write best when I'm happy. It took me a while to start writing again after the miscarriage. Then Dad had his stroke. I fell across the monkey bars of life for a while, but now I'm back swinging! Thanks so much to my friends who gave me a gentle prod to start writing again.

Speaking of monkey bars, Lizzy just learned how to swing across them, and she has been showing everyone! Take a look:

Thank you, SANTA! HO HO HO!

After Lizzy and Jenny opened their presents on Christmas morning, I said, "Say thank you to Santa. He can hear you." They mumbled a halfhearted "thanks" and kept playing. A while later, I spied them in the backyard yelling, "Thank you SANTA! HO HO HO!" Apparently, they didn't believe me when I said Santa could hear them, so they took matters into their own hands.

The Silly Show

Last week, Maia, Lizzy, and Jenny decided to produce "The Silly Show." First, Maia said, "Ready, Set, Go!" Then Lizzy and Jenny ran across the family room, slid into the kitchen, and dumped their faces in bowls of whipped cream. The funny thing is that Lizzy and Jenny wanted to do it several times! We all got a kick out of it. Thanks for planning that one, Maia!

Messiest Car Ever

Our family is notorious for having the messiest car ever. I have one friend that is hesitant to allow her daughter to ride with me. I try to tell her that I clean the car all the time, but when she looks inside and sees the pit of despair, she doesn't believe me.

Before we left for Utah for Christmas (to see the fam!), we cleaned the car. Look at what we pulled out before we put suitcases in! My next-door neighbor, Mandy, was horrified and awestruck at the same time--and made me take a picture.

12 Years Old!

Jake just turned 12 years old on December 12! Can't believe he's so old--and I'm so old!

Jake enjoyed his birthday party: about 20 12-year-old boys making pizza and watching a movie. I think, though, that they liked Pin the Tail on the Donkey best! He also loved receiving the priesthood and going into the Young Men's program. He is really excited to be able to pass the Sacrament and go to all of the youth activities!

Wearing the Christmas treats

Tonight, for family night, we delivered Peppermint Jo-Jo's to neighbors for Christmas. First of all, if you haven't had Candy Cane Jo-Jo's, you are missing out on one of the best things in life! Jake, Maia, Lizzy, and Jenny had a great time delivering gifts to neighbors. Hailey was a little bored, so we gave her chocolate-covered marshmallows to keep her happy. She certainly was!

Sad news

It has been three weeks, and I can finally write about it. After seventeen weeks of being pregnant, I miscarried our little boy. Jeff and I were devastated. I lost a ton of blood, had a D&C, and had to stay overnight in the hospital until my blood pressure was high enough to send me home.

Jake and Maia were sad, but it didn't seem to affect them too much. Jenny didn't really process it. But Lizzy has kept talking about it. Three weeks ago, she said, "Our baby died. But we already have a baby [meaning Hailey, 8 months old]."

I thought that was all she would say. But then last week she said, "Mom, I miss Jesus. I want to see him. Maybe when we see him, he'll give us our baby back." I thought that was cute and told her that she was right--our baby was with Jesus.

Two days ago, she said, "Mom, what's our baby's name that died? I want to name it 'Asher.'" Jeff and I thought that was a good name, so we're going with it.

It's amazing how attached I became to a baby I never knew. But, we love baby Asher and are looking forward to meeting him one day.

Music Man Starts Tonight!

The Music Man is in town! This super cute local play is produced by a good friend of mine, Kirsti McCleary. Maia will be Amaryllis on Oct 13 and 21; Jake will be Winthrop on Oct 14 and 20. It's playing in San Clemente, CA. If anyone wants to go with me, I'll get you tickets!

(This is Maia--Jake is in a different cast)

Pierced Ears!

Yesterday, Jeff and I took the kids and Maia's friend Kylie to the mall. Maia and Lizzy got the idea that Lizzy should get her ears pierced. Lizzy was super excited about it, but she looked a little nervous . . .

Once Jenny saw that Lizzy got earrings and a lollipop, she stepped up to the plate.

"Do you want us to hold your hand, Jenny?" we asked repeatedly.

"No." She was stoic, even when the Hello Kitty earrings pierced her ears. Her only tell was the leg that kicked three times after the pierce. Her first words belied her true intentions for hoisting herself into the chair: "Can I have a lollipop?"

Here's the happy group of girls with their new earrings--and lollipops!

So Tired!

Jeff and I took Lizzy, Jenny, and Hailey to Disneyland on Friday night. We had a fabulous time, and the girls fell asleep on the stroller ride to the car. Jenny made herself at home in the basket below the seat!

Happy Back-to-School Day!

Jeff went to a meeting in Downey and brought back some YUMMY cake! Red velvet and chocolate--mmmm! So we celebrated happy back-to-school day! We liked the red velvet the best.

Adventures in Book Publishing!

I have been getting lots of questions from people interested in writing and publishing books. I love talking to people about their book projects, so I started this blog to connect with writers and anyone else who has a question about book publishing. I have tried just about everything once! I hope you like it--I'll be posting more of the book stuff there and keeping this blog focused more on my family. Go to www.adventuresinbookpublishing.blogspot.com if you're interested! My first post is below. . . .

Adventures in Book Publishing!

For the past seventeen years, I have participated in every aspect of publishing imaginable. First, I was a writer. Next, an editor. Then I became a typesetter and even tried my hand at cover design. Finally, after a long foray into academia, I settled into my life's work: publishing. I currently teach writing, visual communication, and other English/Communication classes at Arizona State University. I am also the publisher of Sourced Media Books--a new, traditional indie publishing house. In Spring of 2012, I will begin teaching a course on book publishing at Arizona State University.

I am one of those people who learns best from experience. I'm the jump-in-get-your-feet-wet type of person and can tell you I have made every mistake . . . once. I'm also quick to take advice from experienced pros and change course when I see myself going in the wrong direction.

After years of trying practically everything once, I can tell you all about traditional publishing, self-publishing, royalties, fees, agents, social media, and publicists from experience. I'm writing this blog to share what I know--so readers don't have to experience it all the hard way!

Interview with Debbie Osmond

I am going to be a guest writer on cupidspulse.com, a celebrity relationship website with the mission to promote enduring and healthy relationships. I wanted to write about how Aunt Debbie and Uncle Donny have made it work for 33 years. Aunt Debbie was so gracious and provided me with some excellent feedback on how she and Donny keep their relationship strong. I thought I'd post it here.


Is It Even Possible?

Can Celebrities Actually Have Enduring, Healthy Relationships?


Cheating. Scandal. Divorce. Too often, celebrity relationships end as a result of one of these unfortunate scenarios. Just this summer, George and Elisabetta, J.Lo and Marc, Derek and Minka, and Cameron and Alex called it quits. Even Buzz Aldrin and his wife of 23 years couldn’t make it last.

As celebrity breakups continue to provide headlines for the supermarket tabloids, we are sometimes left wondering, “Does anyone stay together, anymore?”

Fortunately, the answer is “yes.” Celebrities who take “for better or worse” seriously may not make the headlines, but they are out there. Two of those people are my aunt and uncle, Donny and Debbie Osmond.

Donny and Debbie were married in 1978 and have survived the highs and lows of show business together for 33 years. I asked Debbie how she and Donny have made their relationship last when so many have failed. In characteristic humility, she credits God and her family for helping to keep their relationship strong. But she also has a few practical tips.

Keep the Pressure Low. Donny is a perfectionist and rues over a single note gone awry. While he was performing in Joseph and the Technicolor Dreamcoat on Broadway, he was struggling with considerable anxiety. Debbie eased his anxiety by keeping the pressure low. Every afternoon as he left for work, she would say, “Go have an average night, tonight.” She made him feel valued as a person apart from his performance on stage; and as a result, their relationship and his vocals were both stellar.


Keep Your Personal Life Private. Sometimes celebrities (like everyone else) allow work to consume them. As Debbie said, “The business can really take over your life if you allow it to. I enjoy having my family away from Hollywood so Donny can come home to a bit of reality, like enjoying the kids’ school activities, hiking, and just being a father. It helps everyone feel like show business is not our life but just a job.”


Love the High-Tech Communication. When Donny is away, he and Debbie constantly talk via phone or webcam. As Debbie says, “I love Skype! We laugh because we have a virtual dad!” It helps Donny, Debbie, and the kids and grandkids to feel connected when they can see and hear each other every day.

Unfortunately, there is no magic recipe for making a relationship 100% breakup-proof. But there are many celebrities who continue to keep their relationships strong—we just may not hear about them too often. Regardless of whether we are actors or actuaries, keeping the pressure low, guarding our personal lives, and utilizing technology to communicate are great practical tips that we can all benefit from.



Amy Osmond Cook, Ph.D. is a faculty associate at Arizona State University, where she teaches Communication and English classes. She is the publisher of Sourced Media Books and co-author of Hope After Divorce and Full Bloom: Cultivating Success. Amy and her husband, Jeff, have five children and look forward to welcoming baby #6 in April 2012.