Sunday, September 26, 2010

Nathan is TWO!


Yesterday was Nathy's birthday. He turned 2 years old. Unfortunately he got a pretty good owie on his toe (pulled away some skin), which made him an unusually sad boy for a good half of the day. He finally came around to almost his normal self by the afternoon. We decided that we were going to celebrate today (yesterday was a pretty busy day, and we didn't think he would mind). The kids couldn't wait to give him their presents, though, so we let him do that last night. Because we are getting ready to move this week I already packed my stash of gift bags and paper. I didn't remember that until last night, so we wrapped up the presents in the kids' blankets. He was very excited about all of his presents (especially the little snake Caelan got him - yep, he liked the $.99 gift the best). We continued the birthday celebration today with cake and ice cream. He has really started expanding his vocabulary, and he constantly is telling me EVERY time he sees a truck or bus or car. So, we made his a dump truck cake - he was pretty pleased about that.


Some fun things about Nathan right now:
*He is still a very big boy (weighs around 33 pounds).
*He loves to run around, especially in circles around our kitchen
*He is a climber (at least once every day he climbs up onto the counter in the bathroom and puts his feet in the sink and turns on the water, often getting his pants and clothes wet in the process). That is one of the many places he frequently climbs.
*He is exploding is his speech. It took him a long time to start saying many words, but in the last month it seems like he is saying new words every day (and copying us a lot).
*He loves cheese, watermelon, cucumbers, macaroni and cheese, peaches and anything sweet.
*He is not a big dinner eater. Most of the time he just picks at his plate (even when it's something he likes).
*He LOVES to ride around on Megan's little trike or Ben's big wheel. He often gets on it when we are getting ready to leave for school, and starts bookin' it down the sidewalk.
*He has discovered the word, "No"...and he really likes to use it.
*He can tell me where most of his major body parts are.
*He is finally coming around to liking our dog, Bruno. Even though Bruno has been a part of the family since Nathan was born, Nathan has not been very fond of him. He is finally at a point where he doesn't cry hysterically anytime Bruno is near by.
*He loves to say animal sounds and point out any animal he sees on a walk or in a book or while we are driving. This is especially comical when he sees something in a book in the middle of church and bursts out, "Moo" loud enough for everyone to hear.
*Even though he sleeps really well at nap time and bedtime, he has ALWAYS let us know that he doesn't like the fact that we are putting him to bed (he cries every time we put him down in his bed - just for about 15 seconds until we are out of the room - I guess it's his routine and he wants to stick to it).
*He has the most jolly laugh, and his whole face smiles.
*He is very curious and loves to get into all sorts of things.
*He absolutely LOVES bath time. He would be happy if he could take a bath three times a day.
*He is a fun and happy little boy, and we all love him to pieces.

Thursday, September 23, 2010

Reincarnation?

All the kids had a little bowl of ice cream for dessert last night. After Nathan finished his he managed to coax a bite from Sean. Megan also wanted a bite, but Sean told her "no" and that Nathan had had less than anyone else. This was Megan's response, "When I die and then become a baby, then Daddy will give me a bite too." HE HE HE - That one gave me a good chuckle.

Friday, September 17, 2010

It's the Little Things... (and the BIG things too)

Recently I have felt very aware of all of my blessings (the BIG ones as well as all of the little things too). It's interesting to me that these feelings come a little stronger during trying times. When we face pain or trials or change or even when the routine responsibilities of life heap up, it's like the Lord is helping us to see the things that really matter.
* About a month ago, the bishop of our ward was shot and killed in our church building shortly after our Sunday block. To say it was a "shock" really doesn't even begin to say what we all felt. It was a senseless act done by a man who wasn't well, and many people initially asked the question, "why?" And yet, as more experiences from that day have come out, it has become very apparent that the Lord has a plan and that for some reason this was part of it. Amidst the tragedy there has been so much LOVE - a literal outpouring of love for his family, for our ward, for each other. There has been more unity, there has been a very real presence of the Spirit to comfort and testify of the Atonement of Jesus Christ and it's very real power, there has been a new dedication to the things that are important, there has been increased faith. It has been humbling to watch and listen to the testimony of Julie, his wife. She is being comforted and lifted in ways none of us can see (despite the pain she must feel), and her faith is literally strengthening our ward and this community. The Lord is here. His spirit is with us to comfort and guide and direct us...and our Father's Plan is perfect. Sometimes we can't see it and sometimes we don't understand it, and yet I have had enough experiences to know that His perspective is clear and our becomes clearer as we trust and rely on Him.
*A few months ago we found out that we were expecting baby #5. Last week, I was 11 weeks along when I started to experience something that has never happened during any of my pregnancies. It continued for a day, and then I went in to see my doctor. My feelings were confirmed that I had had a miscarriage. Luckily my body was pretty much doing everything naturally (not a fun process at all, especially since you go through it all for a result that you don't want). The feelings I have felt have been much different that I would have thought. There has been some sadness, and yet at the same time I have had an overwhelming feeling of gratitude: gratitude for 4 healthy pregnancies and children, gratitude that I am able to conceive quite easily, gratitude once again for the knowledge of the Lords plan. I know that we experience things in this life to help us grow (grow in our testimonies, grow in our relationship with God, grow in our relationships with each other and also be able to help others somewhere down the road). For whatever reason it was the Lord's will that this turned out like it did this time, and I have faith in Him. And, so we'll just try again.
*The last thing, which probably shouldn't even be considered big news for our family anymore...HE HE HE...is that we are moving...AGAIN. We found out over the summer than the plant here in Visalia was going to be closed down (the economy in this area just doesn't let the financials pencil out). Thankfully, the company doesn't want to lose Sean, so he is being transferred to Albuquerque, NM. I'll admit, I wasn't super excited (or even happy) when we found out about another move (at that point we didn't even know where we would be going). It didn't take long for me to put those feelings aside and recognize the blessings. We are so thankful that Sean has a good job and that his company values him. We are thankful that our kids are such good friends with each other and that they easily adapt to new situations and don't mind moving (we even seriously asked them about how they felt this time around. Caelan said, "I like moving because then I get to be in a new house and make new friends." I guess we haven't scarred them yet...). We are thankful to be able to be all together (no matter where that is). And after Sean and my trip to Albuquerque I'm excited to go and experience a new place - I really liked it there. Our move date is in less than two weeks. Let the packing begin....
So, that's the news with us, the BIG news, I guess. Isn't this life great? All the turns and loops and up and downs. And I've even learned to be thankful for the tough things - they sure make the great things even that much better.