Gracie gave her first primary talk today. Cori got to be the one to see it. But I got to be the one to work on it with her all week. The words were all her own, and well memorized. My favorite line: "I am a special princess because I am a daughter of God." I can't believe she is old enough to be doing this kind of stuff.
The approaching spring. It is still pretty chilly out side. But the melting snow and wet streets are a daily promise of coming warmth and green.
Our religious community. On our way to Church today, Cori and I commented on the full parking lots in all the churches we passed. It is wonderful to live in a place where religion is a way of life for so many. We attended a open house for a private Christian school this week. Talking about the Gospel and our faith was a very easy and natural conversation. Religious respect is apparent many places through out the community.
This is a tag that has been circulating around Facebook a lot lately. I've really enjoyed reading about my Facebook pals and have been tagged several times to do this.
I made a deal with myself when I started using Facebook that I wasn't going to use any applications or requests or anything that would require me to send things out to bunches of other people. This is mainly because I spend way too much time on the computer as is, and I need to put a limit on some of it. So if you have sent me birthday requests, or nicest person nominations, or Christmas tree ornaments that have all been unanswered, please don't be mad at me.
That is why I'm posting the tag here. I wanted to do it. And all the folks who tagged me read the blog ( I think).
I passionately love travel. During our first years together, Cori and I did a ridiculous amount of traveling- international and domestic. This Spring will make two years that my passport has been unused.
When it comes to shopping, I love looking and fret when buying (most of the time).
I used to think that once our youngest child was in school that I would go back to school and pursue a graduate degree. Now I think I'd rather become an aerobics instructor, maybe even a licenced trainer and work with clients... and take art history classes on the side.
Even though I can kiss on him when I want (excepting when he is at work and I am at home, of course) I still have dreams about kissing my husband.
We don't carry a balance on either of our credit cards.
I read my scriptures every day. I need to be better about studying them.
Somehow (old age? 5 pregnancies?) I have developed a slight allergy to nuts, cashews in particular. If I eat too many at a time, my palms and fingers break out with tiny blisters deep in the skin. They are hardly visible, but very sore to the touch. And they stick around for weeks. I still love cashews and eat them at will when I get the chance.
I slept with a teddy bear until I was in my twenties.
I have never been afraid of change or new experiences. I've not been apprehensive about moving, a new school year, or an unfamiliar adventure (I took in several all by myself in my pre-married life). However, I do worry about settling down. In the next few years we hope to put down roots somewhere and stay there for a while. I worry that I'll get the itch for a change. We'll have to start travelling more when that time comes I think.
I have to get a little 'me' time during the day or else I'm a cranky girl come bed time. Even just 15 minutes will do it. Playing the piano, running on the treadmill, a chapter in a book while the kids are playing... I can unwind and face it all again after a little release.
I love washing and folding the laundry. I have a hard time putting it away right away.
I feel completely fulfilled as a stay at home mom. It has been a pleasant surprise.
I've never been hip with current music. As early as Jr. High when all my friends were into Bryan Adams, George Michael and N.K.O.T.B. I was listening to Gershwin and Ravel.
Speaking of my nerdiness, I am familiar with the story lines and libretti of most the better known operas. I can loosely translate a handful of arias.
I've seen nearly every episode of all 11 seasons of Frasier. This fits with items 11 and 12 as well.
I have facial hair. It drives me crazy. I hate, loath, despise and abhor it.
I love vegetables and wheat bread as much as I love cheeseburgers and pizza.
I love to cook.
On my list of places yet to see: Rome, Venice, Kauai, Australia, Vienna, Tokyo, Hong Kong, New Zealand.
I am terrible at returning phone calls. I always think to do it. But I'm not good at multi-tasking, so I think, "Oh yeah. I'll call so-and-so back when Grant is down for a nap." And then it doesn't happen.
I am almost always in the middle of a book.
I never get tired of being around Cori. He makes me laugh. He makes me feel good about myself. He makes my life great.
I believe in sit down, family dinners. I think so much in the world would change for the better if parents would turn off the TV and sit at the table and eat with their kids every night.
When I get munchy, I crave salt more than I crave sweet (i.e. I'll take a plate of nachos over a bowl of ice cream any time).
I forget my age a lot. 25... 27... no... oh, that's right a little older.
Since the last update, Grant has hit several milestones it seems. He finally started walking. And with his mobility has come a blossoming of personality and independence. He is extremely expressive and surprisingly communicative. He has started using words- ball/bah, oops, Dad/Day, yeah, truck/guck, and Ta Dah!- as well as an impressive array of sound effects for fire engines, motorcycles, trucks, airplanes, cows, puppies and lions. Still no signing, which is fine by me. He actually started nodding 'yes.' It always makes me laugh because his nod is more like a series of half bows that involve the movement of his whole body. "Do you want some more milk, Grant?" He will bring me his sippy and start gyrating all over.
Speaking of milk, this kid drinks so much it is sending us to the poor house. I've had to curtail his afternoon intake a bit so that he will actually eat dinner. I think he would live off the stuff if I let him.
I'm already in trouble where disciplining this little guy is concerned- for a number of reasons. First of all, my words have absolutely no effect on him. Cori can elicit some response, but not me. I use my sternest mommy voice to tell him no. I clap my hands or snap to get his attention. It is all for naught. Then, and this is the worst part, I will intervene physically by moving him away or restraining his hands or feet from what they shouldn't be doing and he smiles and laughs at me. I can be completely frustrated, on the verge of tears, ready to completely snap and he will persistently push whatever button with a huge confident grin across his face. For his part, it is a highly affective gig because I find him irresistible and usually fold into a smile myself.
Cori has started putting him in time out. This gets Grant's attention, but only when Cori does it. Cori will tell him to go into the other room for a time out. Grant will walk to the stairs or another couch and pretend cry for about two seconds (because that is what Gracie does in time out) and then walks back into the room with the same big smile.
Uh, hi Mom. I was just getting some games out.
You couldn't possibly be mad at me if I smiled at you like this.
See what I mean? I'm in trouble.
His new found mobility has opened a whole new world to him. He loves being able to do what he wants all on his own. Gravity is his most recent discovery. He will spend large amounts of time dropping different toys and books from the stairs. He selects one item and makes several trips up and down the stairs watching it fall and retrieving it. I know it is just a matter of time before the other shoe drops (pun intended), because he also likes to climb on chairs and tables. I have to keep on my toes. Unfortunately, gravity applies just as well to little boys as it does to toys and books.
Also, he has been recently captivated by his toothbrush. I used to have it in a drawer that he could reach. I had to move it because he would get it and run around the house with it in his mouth. When I would go to take it away from him he would sit down (just as I always harp on him to do when he has his toothbrush) and show me how he was actually brushing his teeth, and not just running around with it in his mouth.
Gracie likes to help me with dinner, usually just for a few minutes. Grant loves being part of the action too. Grace will thoughtfully get him a bowl and a "stirrer." He will stir and taste and stir and taste until it is time for the real stuff.
Other things he has started doing recently:
folding his hands together for prayers
giving kisses more freely
singing at church
telling us when he wants his diaper changed
feeding himself
being a picky eater
screaming
This last item is highly irritating, but goes hand in hand with his other communicating developments. It doesn't help that he is so highly expressive. There is no need to guess with this kid. As an example, the following was taken during our Christmas break. He had just started walking. We have lots of footage of him walking and laughing, he was just that happy about it. This clip is a perfect embodiment of life with Grant. He is completely happy and then mad in a flash.
Usually around 3:30 the kids start getting restless. Without constant supervision, there are all kinds of arguments, screams, and strange bumpy noises that come from all over the house. The situation crescendos until 5:00 when Grant officially has had it. At this point he becomes clingy and super ornery. Meanwhile, I'm trying to make dinner, help the kids clean up the house before daddy comes home, or get anything else done with my life. This was not working for us.
In effort to change things, I began saving their music for the 3:30 to 5:00 fussy hours- which I started calling playtime. Don't get me wrong. They play all day long. But somehow, calling it 'playtime' and adding music to it made it different enough to make the kids happier. The music makes me happy too. It helps that half of the collection is Disney stuff, for which I am still a total nerd. During playtime, the kids do very well together- generally. The only time we get into real trouble is when Gracie is in princess mode and simply must have a prince to dance with. Grant doesn't like being Grace's prince very often. But, generally there is a lot of dancing, singing and laughing. I am able to get a few more things done. We've got over 3 hours of music in the 'kids genre' of our iTunes library. I cue it up and put it on shuffle. In no particular order, here is a top 20 from the collection:
Hey Diddle Diddle
The Walrus and the Carpenter, Alice in Wonderland
C is for Cookie
Down by the Station
He's Got the Whole World in His Hands
Haunted House, Pirates, and Small World Disneyland Ride Songs
My Heavenly Father and the Gospel of Jesus Christ I am so grateful for the great calm I have felt over the last couple of months. With so much to fret over, so much to be worried and stressed about, I have felt calm. Okay, I was a little overwhelmed at times, but for the most part I felt very calm inside. I know this comes from an unshakable faith that Heavenly Father knows and cares about what is happening with our little family- from the big things down to some of the little things. I'm grateful for His love and great patience with me as I learn to be the person I want to become. I'm grateful for a knowledge of the plan He has for all of His children. The world can do what it will and we will still have peace and joy in our home.
Quiet Sunday afternoons Since moving here we've developed a little after church tradition. First, Grant is fed lunch and promptly put in bed for a nap. Then we spread out leftovers from the week's cooking to make a grand buffet. We make up our plates and put in an episode of BBC'sPlanet Earth. I am continually amazed by these videos. We live on such an amazingly beautiful planet! Grace usually falls asleep (pictured above) and Cori and I have the singular opportunity to 1) watch without a stream of questions from Gracie 2) take a nap ourselves 3) do whatever we want to do without the distraction of the kids. This peaceful bliss lasts for about an hour. Then the TV stays off and we set about doing other Sunday things (for me this ='s making the next week's menu, shopping list and ToDo list... and blogging, of course, among other things). But the afternoons are sure heavenly.
My Cori who does so much more than he gets credit for. He cleaned all the bathrooms last Saturday without so much as a hint or request from me. He really gives me a break from the kids on the weekend and on the evenings when he is home. He helps me so much with my job while working very hard at his own. Recently, he asked me about how I thought our work/life balance is coming along since he took this new position. I am very satisfied with our pace right now and had nothing to complain about. And I was overwhelmed with gratitude that this matters so much to him.
