A Good Day

Today there were plenty of signs of a good day

• Sweaty running clothes
• Sun-kissed cheeks
• Ice cream dribbled shirts
• Orphan looking kids
  
• Murky bath water and then clean smelling kids
• Children passed out on the couch before 7pm
• Pink pedicured piggies...they deserve it after last weeks pounding
  

Perfect

Saturday, we went sailing

on the inner harbor

and then, we played in the fountains.
"Put me back in the water...NOW!"

PS: You probably didn't notice the top of Daniel's tighty whitey's showing in the fountain picture. Yes, you read right...tighty whitey's! My mom used to get so mad when my brother let his unders show when he was a younger whipper snapper. I will probably get on my kids' case for letting their underwear show when they get older too, but for now, let them show! That little gray elastic strip with white cloth attached is a trophy of adulthood. It is an emblem of a won battle, and yes, I am proud of it.

A Little More About Me

This is the 207th post about my life. I am in love with life. I love sharing my life with you. But in 207 posts, I have failed to mention why I am so in love with life, and that is because I have hope in the ability to make my life better through Jesus Christ. I am a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. I feel timid sharing my faith with the world, but it is knowledge I wish the whole world had. I don't know why I get so scared to share my faith, but I don't want to be scared anymore. So here is a little video clip I want to share. And more information can be found here.

Where Were You Today?

April 15th found us down at the state house for Tax Day Tea Party. It felt good to get out.

Christian had a brilliant idea...you should be taxed according to who you voted for, and make people put their money where their mouth is. If that were the case, I would send Obama his bill, because I voted for Ron Paul.

James Hearts Popcorn

Happy Easter

Saturday Chores

How do you get rid of three weeks worth of weeded trees and brush? Make a 5 hour long bonfire of coarse.

Standing on one of three piles of wood to be burned.

Daniel roasting his lunch.

My mountain man

Spring is Here

Friday was gorgeous. So, we got out the bikes, pumped up the tires, and made a surprise visit to Dad's office. James was all giggles and delightful noises on the way there. But he cried the WHOLE way home. Poor Daniel. He had to sit right next to him. And now, my patootie is sore.

Happy Bithday James

Little James,

Today is your first birthday!

To celebrate, last night we

• had our good friends over (I think they love you too)
• ate arugula/grape/sunflower seed salad, apricot glazed salmon, and rice pilaf
• had lots of colorful balloons and birthday wishes
• ate lemon cupcakes with raspberry whipped cream frosting
  

I hope your first year has brought you as many warm memories, magical discoveries, and happy moments as you have brought mine.


love,

Mom

Potty Training: Take 4

Potty training Daniel has brought me to my knees. Any confidence I had in being a mom who prepares her children to be contributing people in the world has been erased over the last 8 months with three "blood, sweat, and tears" attempts at potty training. I would ask for anyone reading this to leave comments or ideas, but I feel like I have tried everything...every carrot and a couple of sticks.

But here we are again...making the attempt. I have to admit, I lack faith in my child's ability, but I'm trying to not let that show. There is one thing about potty training that makes me laugh...the ONLY thing that makes me laugh. It actually cracks me up, and that thing is this...

One of Christian's desperate attempts to get Daniel to use the toilet was to talk to Daniel using the toilet as a puppet. Christian lifted the seat lid up and down while explaining proper potty usage with this "toilet puppet". After Daniel did his business, the toilet puppet said

"Thank you. It was a pleasure doing business with you. Please come again!"

Daniel copies the toilet puppet now. After he does his thing in the toilet (rarely), he makes the "toilet puppet" say

"Thank you. Pleasure doing business."

He also says it every time he has to practice (my current strategy is making him practice running up to the bathroom from 10 different locations in our house after every accident). He practices a lot. So, at least that is making me laugh!

General Conference

After watching the two sessions of General Conference today, I feel as the Nephites did when Christ visited them

"And it came to pass that when Jesus had thus spoken, he cast his eyes round about again on the multitude, and beheld they were in tears, and did look steadfastly upon him as if they would ask him to tarry a little longer with them." (3 Nephi 17:5)

And I also feel like doing this

"Yea, and even all the night it was noised abroad concerning Jesus; and insomuch did they send forth unto the people that there were many, yea, an exceedingly great number, did labor exceedingly all that night, that they might be on the morrow in the place where Jesus should show himself unto the multitude. " (3 Nephi 19:3)

I love General Conference weekend. I hope you are enjoying it too. And if you don't know what I'm talking about, check it out here tomorrow (April 5) at 10am and 2pm MDT. If you miss the live broadcast, you can always read it too. You will love it.

Week In Review

Visited a Farm

Daniel was in heaven with these pedal tractors

Played at the "Really Cool" Park

James on the subway going to the aquarium.
He insisted on holding the railing even though he was in the stroller.
Now, all he needs is an iPod.

James in his forward facing car seat.

Waited patiently every day for dad to get home from work.

A Clean House

I like having a super clean house for General Conference weekend. It just feels good.