Bear Gymnastics

Ezra and Bear are preparing for their forthcoming circus performance.  Ezra is the hard-nosed task master, Bear the agile performer.  Gymnastic practice sessions have been a regular occurrence at our house of late.  Ezra tells me that Bear has greatly improved his front flip; back flip still needs some more work.

p.s.--I usually post all of our videos to this site: http://www.youtube.com/user/phatfiddle.  This particular video was especially cute, so I included it on the blog as well. 

Touchy-Feely in the Garden

We make good use of our botanic garden membership.  I am one of those strange people who thinks the garden is beautiful even in December.  Ezra and I made a visit today and were two of the ten (or less) patrons in the entire place.  I let the little guy walk the whole garden, and we took a rather serpentine route with Ezra in the lead.  We had quite the sensory experience, touching any interesting looking plant, rock, or structure within reach.  We found (among others) rosemary, sage, lavender, thyme, and about six different grass seed heads good for tickling noses.  In the tropical conservatory he made contact with about twenty genera of plants and was fascinated by the poison dart frogs in the display case.

Bear was also along for the adventure; the two of them are inseparable lately.  I think Bear enjoyed his day too, though he was dropped half a dozen times and came home with a dirty nose.

Ezra was rather giddy at the garden with all the freedom and options for exploring--not to mention the joy of being outside for more than an hour.  His new word is "happy" and his rosy cheeks and toothy grin were all happiness today.   

More Books

Ezra's top five activities include being outside, reading books, exploring/learning, playing with bear, and playing with mom and/or dad.  This list can be interchanged, but generally it follows this order.

Ezra is more likely to wander around the grassy field at the park looking for pine cones and "fluffies" (dandelion seed heads) rather than play on the playground equipment.  Ezra is more likely to empty the kitchen utensil drawer and explore its contents than empty his toy bucket.  Ezra is more likely to read a book than play with trucks.

His fascination with books has been apparent for awhile.  We go to the library often and check out between 15-20 books per visit.  We are likely to read about eight a day, often the same three books six times over again.  His favorite two words come in handy with this favorite activity: "more" (as in "more books") and "up" (as in "pick me up, Mom, so we can read").  Lately, his favorite type of book is the picture/concept book (A, B, C's or 1, 2, 3's or colors).  He likes to play a Q&A game with me based on the pictures.  For example, we look at a page with a red tulip, a yellow banana, a green ball, a blue car, etc. and I ask, "Where's the ________?"  He loves it; I guess he gets a sense of satisfaction even at this young age in feeling informed and prepared with a right answer.

I enjoy reading most any book to Ezra, but after checking out easily 200+ books in the last six or seven months, I definitely have some "mommy favorites".

I have several in the "clever" category.  These books do not necessarily have great story lines or memorable characters, but they do use a completely new twist to explore a common idea.  For example, Duck! Rabbit! by Amy Krouse Rosenthal uses a lively interchange over cloud shapes and explores two equally valid perceptions.  Orange Pear Apple Pear by Emily Gravett has darling illustrations and a five word text (!) combined into witty combinations.

Owen by Kevin Henkes is a little mouse boy with a well-loved blanket (something tells me this dad had a little one with a similar story!)  I love the tone; it is so connected to the emotional attachment with a snuggly thing.  Neville by Norton Juster is a story of a boy who moves to a new place and doesn't like it...never heard that one before, right?  But, it has such a pleasant, wholly unexpected resolution.  It made me smile, and I think it sends a very positive message about using initiative to solve your own problems.  Here's another commonly heard story, with a happy surprise ending:  Wolf! Wolf! by John Rocco is a clever Aesop's Fable adaption.

Happy Reading!

Thanksgiving!

We hosted Thanksgiving for ten people and it went wonderfully well!  I had fun decorating the table with Mama Bear's pretty special occasion tableware, plus some Liezel creative touches.  My sweetheart and I decided to brine our turkey (a 25 lb. bird) using this Food Network recipe: Alton Brown Good Eats Roast Turkey; it was perfect.

We contributed other traditional hot foods (mashed potatoes and gravy, rolls, stuffing), but our guests made the dinner exceptionally good.  Tanya brought a delectable traditional Ukrainian holiday vegetable side dish.  Mara wowed us all with special corn bread muffins, jello salad, Medjool date-bacon-and-ricotta-cheese wraps and two amazing desserts.  There was a lot of umming at our table.

We broke with tradition (slightly) and used green pumpkin seeds as our "kernels" for counting our blessings.  I reviewed my journal a few days before Thanksgiving, and (wow!) it has been an incredible year.  Picking just three kernels to mention at our Thanksgiving table was difficult.  Among a great many things that I am very grateful for this year, I mentioned:

1. Dallin.  My sweetheart, my best friend, my helper, my team-mate (and we make a really good team), and super-dad.  We survived the first year of being parents (together).  We moved again and survived that transition (together).  We made a whole new year of memories and adventuring (together).  I would be a mess without Dallin and all his help and great love.
2. Ezra.  My little sweetie boy is my sunshine during the day and is most excellent company.  Being a mom is not for the faint of heart, and it has not been easy, but I don't know what I would do without my little Ezra.  He is clever and cute and soooo fun.
3. Roslyn and John.  I am so grateful they are having a wonderful time in China.  I am so grateful they are serving a mission and seeing a whole new world.  I am so grateful they have this opportunity.  I am so grateful they are in good health.  I am so grateful for their immense generosity in letting us live in their house.                  

Oh, and another great perk of our Thanksgiving was seeing the cousins together (after an almost 3-month gap).  Happy, busy boys!  

Indeed!

Political cartoon clipped from The Economist, November 3, 2012, p.8

Growing Up

Yesterday Ezra and I went to the children's garden at our local botanic garden.  They have a nice set-up with paved walking paths, boardwalks, small drawbridges, activity centers, exploring zones, and interesting plant material.
There were about twenty other kids around, so like a good protective mommy of my little tike, I tried to take Ezra's hand and guide him safely to the boardwalk.  He would have none of that; big boys don't need to hold mom's hand.  I think I looked very much like first-time mom hovering nearby, cautious and perhaps a bit too apprehensive.  All the other moms seemed to have this relaxed, healthy-distance-casual-observance stance.  I suppose I am still adjusting to my little guy becoming not so little.  He is a confident walker, and craves his independence, so I am coming to terms with backing off a little.  I have the feeling this will be a continual readjustment; the balance between protecting Ezra and giving him the opportunity to grow and stretch.

This is me trying really hard not to be an overprotective helicopter mom.

Called to Serve

Last Sunday I was set apart as a Sunday School teacher for the youth ages 14-15.  I have never had a calling with the youth, but I am so excited for the opportunity!  Starting in January, the curriculum for the youth will be completely new.  The curriculum is called "Come, Follow Me", and is modeled after the way the Savior taught.  There is no prescribed lesson manual, there is, instead, topics for discussion, and doctrinal questions arranged into monthly units.  The teacher must now rely much more on the Spirit.  The youth are invited to participate and help teach and bear testimony.  From my observations, this new youth curriculum is to the youth of the church as Preach My Gospel is to missionary work.  Simply put--the Spirit is the key.  My lesson preparations must allow for teacher-student conversations that allow the Spirit to teach.  It is a humbling mandate, but such a thrilling challenge!

This short video introduces the new curriculum to newly called teachers.  I get teary-eyed every time I watch it.  My goal is to help the youth become converted to the gospel of Jesus Christ.

 

Precious Doctrine

Yesterday morning I had a discussion with two gentleman of another Christian faith that focused mostly on the nature of the Godhead.  While we both shared a belief in the Bible, I recognized how much precious knowledge they lacked because of errors or deletions in the translation of that book of scripture.  I feel so much gratitude for the understanding that I have of such a simple and fundamental gospel doctrine.  I feel so much gratitude for the Bible and The Book of Mormon.  I feel so much gratitude for Biblical Prophets and living Prophets in our day.  These additional sources of inspiration found in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints give me clarity of understanding in the true nature of the Godhead.

During our conversation these obviously devoted, God-fearing men were puzzled when I used the word "Savior."  They did not understand the meaning of the word or understand to whom I was referring.  When I use the word Savior, I am referring to Jesus Christ, who is, our Savior and Redeemer from death and hell.  His infinite Atonement offers salvation to all men, women, and children who have ever lived on the earth.  Truly, there is no other way to overcome the effects of sin and return to presence of our Father in Heaven except through "the merits, and mercy and grace of the Holy Messiah, who layeth down his life" (2 Nephi 2:8).

God the Father, is the Father of my spirit, and so I am, quite literally, a child of God.  He is a perfect, loving, forgiving, merciful Father who hears and answers my prayers.  I pray to my Father in Heaven, in the name of His Son, Jesus Christ, and I know I am heard.  The Father and the Son are separate, distinct beings with bodies of flesh and bones, as tangible as my own.  And yet, they are completely unified in purpose; their collective work and glory is the immortality and eternal life of all their children.  They are resurrected, glorified beings who delight in honoring their children for their obedience.      

The Holy Ghost, the third member of the Godhead, is a personage of Spirit.  The Holy Ghost witnesses of the Father and the Son, testifying, in a still, small voice to the heart of any earnest seeker of truth.  The Holy Ghost can teach, bring to remembrance, warn, comfort, and strengthen.  Those who receive the gift of Holy Ghost following baptism by the laying on of hands, are entitled to the constant companionship of the Holy Ghost according to their faithfulness. 

These simple truths are precious to me.  I feel confidence in my purpose here on the earth, knowing that I am a child of God who can pray.  I feel immense comfort knowing that because of Jesus Christ and His Atonement, my sins can be forgiven, my weaknesses can be made strong, and all unfairness in life can be made right.  I feel gratitude for the reassuring voice of the Spirit helping me to keep the faith and recognize truth. 

When I Least Expected It

I was asked to be on our church's Halloween trunk-or-treat committee, and preparations for the party have hijacked my week.  The party is tomorrow--thankfully, and it should be nippy, but fun for all.  We have six different kid activities planned, a smorgasbord of homemade goodies, plus trunk-or-treating.

At the last minute, I was tasked with creating nine Halloween-themed table centerpieces with a budget of $15 (spending less than that was also desirable).  Thanks to a magazine idea and some frugal creativity I did it for $11.68.  Not bad says I, not bad.

Earlier in the week, I was out hunting for 40 tiny pumpkins for the decorate-your-own-pumpkin activity.  I discovered a pumpkin patch not far from home and found exactly what I needed.  The pumpkin patch manager and I were chatting a little, and he asked my son's name.  When I replied, he was quiet for a moment, and then responded, "The only other Ezra I have ever known was the Secretary of Agriculture when I was kid, and his name was Ezra Taft Benson."   

Hah!  What are the chances!  Hello open door!  So, I walked in and we had a brief, but concentrated talk about what Ezra Taft Benson did later in life; namely, as a servant of God and the Prophet and President of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.  I was hunting pumpkins and had a gospel discussion--what a good day!  Three cheers for being a committee member!    

Tomato Bumper Crop?

If you have an abundance of tomatoes, like we did, and have already shared with all the neighbors on more than one occasion, and still don't know how to use all your tomatoes, perhaps you might try this bruschetta recipe.  (I used all garden tomatoes rather than the fancy red and yellow type that the recipe recommends.)

My sister turned me on to bruschetta and it is party-in-your-mouth delicious.  We had bruschetta on toasted baguette and Italian meatballs for dinner recently and it was quite delectable.   

Fall Leaves and Other Discoveries

Our warm-season summer vegetable crops have perished.  There are still warm days yet, so I cleaned out the garden beds and planted a few fall crops (Swiss chard, beets, snow peas, and some pansies for color).  They are doing remarkably well, despite the occasional frosty morning.  Thankfully, our plethora of sunny days quickly perk them up again.
When I work outside, I often give Ezra a spoon so he can play in the dirt too.  Now that all the big summer vegetable crops are gone, his quantity of accessible dirt has doubled, which, of course, he wants to eat.  This is his adorable, slightly mischievous, "I probably shouldn't have done that, but I'm so glad I tried it!" look.  What a sweetie boy; he makes me laugh.

 The Ash trees were among the first in our area to change color and drop their leaves.  Ezra was most intrigued with the crunchy piles of yellow leaves at the park near the house.  He loved grabbing a fistful and flinging them in the air.  At thirteen months, everything is fascinating and everything needs to be explored.  The pea gravel base at the playground is fascinating.  Flowers are fascinating.  Animals are fascinating.  Flying birds are fascinating.  The flight-for-life orange and red helicopter is especially fascinating.  And the lawnmower is an obsession.  We have to touch the lawnmower every time we go outside.  The vacuum cleaner and the hair dryer need to be examined on a regular basis too.    

 

 Ezra says hello and goodbye to everyone, random passerby, grocery store check-out lady, children playing at the other end of the block.  He is fascinated with people, though, usually only at a comfortable distance.  Ezra's latest trick is identifying his "tummy" with affectionate pats.  He will now say "na-na" for banana, which he often eats at breakfast.  "Out" is a favorite word (as in get-me-out-of-this-crib/highchair/carseat), but his version of "out" sounds more like angst-y vowels with marbles in the mouth.  I get it, though.

He is a joy!  A happy, curious, intentional learner, who is truly in love with life.  Oh, and very ticklish, especially on his feet--just like daddy.

Hastening

As always, General Conference weekend was a bit of heaven.  I was just back from my trip to Salt Lake City and enjoyed all the watching via comfy couch next to sweet husband.  Ezra's nap schedule allowed us to fully enjoy the morning sessions while he slept.  Ezra was fascinated by the Mormon Tabernacle Choir (who wouldn't be!?), and recognized President Thomas S. Monson's face!  (We had talked about him, and looked at his picture half a dozen times.)  When President Monson spoke Ezra got excited, pointed and called to him.  Very cute.

It takes me some time to process all the doctrine-dense content, but as a cursory comment, I am so impressed by the active, vibrant, forward-motion of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.  During the Saturday morning session, President Monson announced (optional) changes to the minimum missionary age for elders and sisters.  In the press conference between Saturday sessions to further discuss the new missionary-age announcement, Elder Jeffrey R. Holland commented on the "hastening" and "accelerating" work in the kingdom.  A completely new youth curriculum, which will take effect in January 2013, was also announced.  The new curriculum for youth focuses more intensely on core doctrines of the church, emphasizes spiritual self-reliance, and active gospel learning.

It is an exciting time to be a parent in the church!  I see so much effort on the part of the church to safeguard, prepare, and teach the rising generation.  I acknowledge that the First Presidency and the Quorum of the Twelve, who have been called as prophets, seers, and revelators, can see and understand so much more than I can.  I am so grateful for their foresight to both invite younger men and women to serve missions, and, at the same time, prepare them with pure doctrine more earnestly.

It is also a humbling time to be a parent in the church!  As the work accelerates and hastens, as temptation is more pernicious and prevalent, so the teaching in the home must be all the more focused and consistent.  I have been impressed lately, that there must be teaching for understanding; teaching that touches the heart, and brings conversion.  The influence of the Holy Ghost is vital in this kind of teaching!  Teaching for understanding means that children act for themselves, respond to invitations to know for themselves, and have personal experience with gospel principles.

I am inspired by this thought from Elder Neil L. Andersen:

In our world today, each child, each young man and young woman needs his or her own conversion to the truth. Each needs his or her own light, his or her own “steadfast and immovable”  faith in the Lord Jesus Christ independent of parents, youth leaders, and supportive friends.

The stories of Jesus can be like a rushing wind across the embers of faith in the hearts of our children. Jesus said, “I am the way, the truth, and the life.”  The stories of Jesus shared over and over bring faith in the Lord Jesus Christ and strength to the foundation of testimony. Can you think of a more valuable gift for our children?     

Tour de Temple Square

Ezra, Grandma, and I visited Temple Square, mostly for the purpose of finding one of my friends, a former roommate and a fellow intern at The Holden Arboretum from 2001.  She is now one of those really special few-and-far-between people who get to be gardeners on Temple Square.  She is on the crew that takes care of the Relief Society Gardens near the Church Office Building.  One of her co-workers helped us locate her; she was in a cherry picker stringing lights in preparation for the Christmas display.  (Yes, they have already started, in fact, they started putting the lights up August 1).  She is just as cheery and happy as ever; so nice to make connections with old friends!

Ezra loved the tour de Temple Square and was probably overstimulated a dozen times over.  There were golf carts, buses, trains, lots of water, fountains, and flowers all colors of the rainbow.  The little guy had plenty to look at and oodles to point at, and I think he wore himself out with all the observing.  He conked out in his car-seat after about 2.5 minutes in the car, slept all the way home, and took a two-hour nap when we got back to Grandma's house.

Jet-Setting: Baby and Me

Baby and me are visiting my family for two weeks.  It has been quite an adjustment for Ezra to have so many new faces and new surroundings (new bed, new highchair...), but after about a week, I think he is starting to settle in.  We have played outside, gone on walks, met the cat, explored the house, been to the library, perused the local botanical garden, and been seriously spoiled by family.  For the viewing pleasure of sweet husband (who didn't get to come), and any other interested viewers, here are a few pictures of our activities:

My darling sister, who works at a florist shop, sent me flowers--surprise!

Grandpa bought Ezra a box of jumbo crayons.  He scribbled, and nibbled a bit too.

Aunt Kristen and Ezra (who loves his apples!)

Grandma brought out the kiddie car, which Ezra loves to use as a jungle gym.

Spaghetti pie beard, super yummy.

Birthday Boy!, Part 2

As far as presents, we kept it simple: several new shirts and one toy.  Lucky for us, we knew exactly what kind of toy to get him.  A few weeks before his birthday we were in Barnes and Noble, and Ezra discovered a large stuffed bear, an old-fashioned style Pooh bear.  He crawled around with it, talked to it, tackled it, and snuggled it for at least 20 minutes straight.  It took a good bit of distraction to put the bear away and leave the store.  Obviously, though, it was of great interest, so we went back later and bought him the bear.

I think we found a good home for Pooh bear!

Birthday Boy!, Part 1

Ezra is one years old!  Hoorah!  A big day for him, and us!  I made a mini loaf of banana bread (which he loves) for his birthday cake and covered it in heavy whipping cream "frosting" sweetened with a bit of maple syrup.  He thoroughly enjoyed the mush the cake part, but actually stayed quite clean.  He flung some on the floor, pulled it apart, smashed it, and ate most of it too.  So fun to watch!      

 

 

To China with Love

I hate goodbyes.

This morning we took my in-laws to the airport to begin their China teaching adventure.  Saying goodbye to them was much harder than I anticipated, and I have spent most of the morning crying.  As soon as I start to pull myself together, something will trigger new tears.  Like noticing that Ezra had grandma's lipstick kisses on his cheeks.  Or walking past the dark and quiet basement stairwell, which, over the last few days, had been the China-packing-Grand-Central-Station.  Or setting the kitchen table for two, not four. 

I said a ten-month goodbye, and the time will certainly go by faster than I expect.  Ten-months isn't so long, and there will be plenty of electronically-facilitated interactions in the meantime.  But, I will miss the daily face-to-face interactions.  The sociality between parents and children and grandparents and grandchild have been precious.  Ezra has been especially keen to the extra love and attention.

I am grateful for this special house-sitting opportunity.  I am grateful for my in-law's generosity.  And, I am grateful that in ten months we can see each other again.  

  

Vegetable Garden Update

Our backyard vegetable garden has been a great success this summer.  I cannot claim any horticulture genius; the prize goes to my mother-in-law and her years of attentive soil amending, and to a good husband who waters faithfully.

The fruits of our labors, thus far, have been:

• Spinach and Asian Mesclun salad mix (sprouted quickly and faded quickly)
• Swiss chard was a marginal success, I fought the leafminers and they won.  I did get one good harvest, though (pictured above)
• Snow peas, which produced into late July, to my great surprise
• Butterhead lettuce and Red Sails lettuce, which also exceeded my expectations by remaining bolt-free into early August 
• Basil and green onions.  I am clipping the greens on the latter as fast as they can grow up
• Yellow squash and yellow crookneck squash: one to two a week
• Zucchini squash: one a week
• Cucumbers: six a week, sometimes more
• Super cherry tomato: produced about 12-15 for several weeks through July, but is now dormant
• Heirloom Roma and Big Boy tomato plants are happy and productive, but we have yet to harvest a single red tomato.  Currently, we have easily 40 tomatoes, all quite green.
• Pumpkin (intentional, cultivated type): at least one (the size of a large grapefruit).  We also have a rogue pumpkin that plant itself.  It has made 30' feet of vine, and no fruit to speak of.
• Strawberries almost died twice, have made a recovery, and are fighting with the weeds to claim good ground.  Four of the six strawberry plants are healthy and have sent out runners.

Lifelong Migration

At day's end, more often than not, I have not accomplished many tasks.  Rarely can I look back over the day with a satisfied smile and see the evidence of finished projects.  I do not often cross off a daily to-do list item as completely done.  It has been rather disconcerting to see my apparent lack of productive, measurable activity.  I have found myself questioning my ability to complete anything.

Last night, after some pondering and processing, I realize that this dilemma has much to do with my stage in life.  I think I am beginning to understand (and accept) that accomplished, and finished, and done are not the only measure of success.  I have found comfort in recognizing my progress, and appreciating the process.  For me, the words desire, and attitude, and direction are more meaningful and encouraging in my daily efforts, especially as a wife and mother.  My days are filled with teaching, playing, talking, and trying to build more meaningful human relationships.  These efforts are never done.  Prayer and scripture study are the bookends to each day; they are the long-term never-finished habits that are more about righteous desire and consistency than completion.   

In my pondering, I found great encouragement in several comments from the May 2012 (General Conference) Ensign magazine.  Elder Quentin L. Cook gave an outstanding address titled, "In Tune with the Music of Faith."  I love the idea of being "in tune."  As I watch Dallin warm-up and prepare for a violin performance, he always tunes his instrument.  Most of the time, his instrument is not too far off from the piano note, but some minor tweaking is usually required.  In my daily efforts, I also need minor tweaking to stay "in tune"; and my tuning is a constant endeavor.  Every day I need to refresh my efforts in order to stay in tune with the music of faith.  I appreciate the idea of daily course corrections as a measure of success.  Elder Cook emphasizes maintenance and diligence rather than accomplishment and arrival.

Elder Neil L. Andersen taught, "Jesus's call 'Come, follow me' is not only for those prepared to compete in a spiritual Olympics.  In fact, discipleship is not a competition at all but an invitation for all.  Our journey of discipleship is not a dash around the track, nor is it fully comparable to a lengthy marathon.  In truth, it is a lifelong migration toward a more celestial world." 

Busy Boy

Quick run-down of Ezra's new discoveries/adventures:

• Eating a big handful of mud.  (I was weeding a flower bed and turned my back for two seconds!)
• Climbing the staircase solo.  (I was talking to husband in the kitchen, Ezra was playing on the floor.  While we continued to talk, for another minute or two, he took off.  We found him upstairs playing with books on the bookcase.)  I was proud and freaked out at the same time.
• Cruising on all fours over all manner of surfaces.  (The texture of grass used to make him cringe, and extinguish all mobility efforts.  No more!  If he wants to get somewhere, grass or no grass, he is going.)
• Airplanes.  (We have been outside a fair bit lately and he perks up at the sound of an airplane and will point up to the sky.)
• Pointing, in general.  (Neurons are flying in his little developing brain, and in the absence of words to vocalize his observations, he points at anything and everything that catches his attention.)
• Verbalizing 101.  (Ezra can say "uh-oh", and uses the word often.  He loves to go and understands that anytime we go, we must wear a hat, so his latest word development is "ha", meaning hat, and the exciting prospect of getting to go somewhere.  He can also say "hi" and "bye-bye", but this is rare.) 

Do you see what I see?

I met this green meatball on a walk with baby; he seems a bit peckish.  In fact, I think the meatball is teething on the fence post!  Give this little guy googly eyes and a few teeth and he could be a potential Muppet or Sesame Street puppet candidate.  He he, got a good laugh.     

Hoping for Ice Cream

I have this illusive dream of being a great writer.  Unfortunately, like most of my (many) hobbies, they are shelved for long periods of time, pulled out for occasional dabbles, and then re-shelved.

Recently, I dusted off the creative writer box, thanks to a new friend and kindred spirit who just moved to the area.  The bad news: she and her family are just here for the summer.  The good news: she has a masters in English, and loves creative non-fiction writing like me.  In fact, she teaches an independent study course through BYU on the subject.  Just talking to her gets me excited about words, the creative process, and self-expression.  We bounce ideas off each other, in between flying Cheerios, tike bike rides, and toy-sharing squabbles.  (She has two boys under 3, who adore Ezra; Ezra returns the love).

Anyway, I am reading and brainstorming, pulling out old rough drafts, and trying to cultivate all those good writer qualities like introspection, and fluidity, and curiosity.  In my writing revival I stumbled upon this great quote:

"I love revisions.  Where else in life can spilled milk be transformed into ice cream" --Katherine Patterson

There's my new goal: good editing = ice cream.  Can I take that literally?

Happy Puppy Dog, Part 2

The arrival of Ezra's first tooth caused physical, emotional, and mental catastrophe; for all he knew his world was crumbling to pieces.  Subsequent teeth have caused some degree of agitation, drooling, and biting, but nothing terribly dramatic.  I found myself thinking, "Teething isn't so bad after all.  Great."  (That was me, the naive mommy thinking).  Turns out I just have a passive-aggressive child (huh...I wonder where that comes from).

Teething, as it turns out, is quite painful, but Ezra, independent little dude, has found ways to solve his own problems.  On his crib.  Sometime between yesterday and today, my charming teeth-er has striped the crib vanish down to bare wood in a dozen inch-long swathes across two sides of his crib.  (Oh yea, new trick: pulling to a stand inside crib).  I guess I should have remembered my mother's words sooner, "It's too quiet; where's the baby?"  I give you Ezra, the happy (stealthy) puppy dog.  

Happy Puppy Dog...

...is a good description for my little Ezra of late.  He has figured out crawling (three cheers for Ezra!) and follows me around, nuzzling my ankles, and climbing up my legs.  He continues to teeth, and bites anything in sight.  (I have baby teeth marks on my fingers and arms to prove it.)  He has started climbing on furniture and up-and-over couch cushions, which he also bites.  He frequently protests his cage--er, crib at nap time, and bites that too.  He loves going for walks, or any outdoor excursion.  And, he seems more interested in socializing with other babies and small children.

All of this growth and new development adds up to Ezra being a much more content baby.  Ezra seems to relish in his mobility because he has so many more choices and greater independence.

In addition to greater control over his body movements, his desire for greater variety in food choices is expanding too.  Here's an example: Ezra had been enjoying fruits, such as blueberries and pieces of grape, but now seems to be getting bored with those options.  On a whim, I shared some of my lentil soup with Ezra, and he loved it, completely ignoring all the sweeter food on his tray.  Similar story with breakfast: bits of my toast with almond butter (a recent introduction) are gobbled up, and boring old pieces of banana are thrown overboard.       

Reason no. 93

Dear Dallin,

Our move has meant some adjustments for all of us, especially you.  You commute 50-minutes each way in a car that runs best without using the air conditioning.  In these last few weeks, the 90-100 degree days mean you come home sweaty and tired, but I never hear you complain.  You are up earlier and home later than normal, but I never hear you complain.  You have a new, demanding calling at church that eats up additional time in your shorter-than-usual evening, but I never hear you complain. 

Sweetie, thank you for being my example in choosing to focus on the good.  Thank you for choosing to be a wonderful husband and father even after a full work day and a long commute.  Thank you continually exceeding my expectations.  I am so lucky to have you.

All my love, Liezel     

A Good Beginning

In an effort to introduce some more creativity into my culinary efforts, I have tried a new dinner recipe for the last fourteen nights (minus our vacation).  Some of the recipes have turned out better than others, but it has been a fun experiment.  My project is not done; I am still on the look-out for fresh ideas, and intend to continue for the foreseeable future.   

For a number of reasons, I am also currently interested in adding vegetarian meals to the mix.  My experience with anything vegetarian is almost nil; my understanding of a vegetarian diet doesn't go much beyond beans and tofu.  So, I consulted the expertise of several friends and was given (amongst others) two recommendations.  First, a comprehensive 996-page behemoth of a book, How to Cook Everything Vegetarian, by Mark Bittman.  Second, an award-winning food blog authored by Heidi Swanson called 101 Cookbooks that features an encyclopedic collection of flavorful vegetarian meals using only whole, natural foods.

Needless to say, I was (am) intimidated, but not turned off.  I determined to start with my go-to food and start nibbling away.  Quinoa is one of my favorites (Dallin and Ezra feel the same way), and as a complete protein, and one of the healthiest grains on the market, I figured it was a good beginning point.

Naturally, I found a plethora of quinoa creations, but began with this one from the food blog: baked quinoa patties.  They were delectable--soft and chewy, fresh, and flavorful.  I put our kitchen garden to good use too, as the recipe calls for fresh chives, dill, and kale.  The cumin and feta were perfect companions to all the fresh greens.  I also tried the ultimate veggie burger the same night, which has a garbanzo bean base and lots of fresh lemon zest.

Next on my list, Mark Bittman's vegan lunch, (Indian style): rice salad, red lentils with Chaat Masala, and Chapati flatbread.  Yum!   

Autonomy: Exercise 1

In the last week or so mealtime had turned into a fight between Ezra and me.  Ezra didn't want what I feed him, and hollering was his modus operandi.  The problem, though, was with me; I wasn't understanding his communication.

He isn't a little bird anymore.  Pureed foods on a spoon is old hat.  Ezra wants his independence.  He wants control over some part of his world, and meal time is at the top of his list.  I have caught unto his message, and baby and mommy have made peace again with food.

Ezra has three teeth (and another on the way) and he craves opportunity to use them.  Ezra is perfecting his thumb-pointer finger grasp, and he needs essential practice time to develop this new skill.  Now, instead of pureed foods, he eats baby bites of the whole food.  I put things like blueberries, watermelon, pears, cheese bits, cooked peas and carrots on his tray, and he feeds himself at his own pace.    

Lesson from the Garden

Good and bad exist side-by-side.  There must be opposition, even in the garden.  Take for example, our spinach leaves that have been sorely afflicted with spinach leafminer.  The eggs of said pest look innocent enough, but the insect that comes later ravages the leaves, making them inedible.  

Aphids, another common (voracious) pest, have started feasting on our dill.  But, never fear, alongside the pests, the beneficial insects have taken up residence too.  These tiny orange eggs are future lady bugs, who have arrived as a natural control for the undesirable aphids.

 

I am in awe of the intricate workings in the small ecosystem of our backyard vegetable garden!    

Nurture

Shortly before we moved out of our apartment community, I met our new upstairs neighbors--a beautiful family: mother, father, and two-year old daughter.  The husband worked at a company within walking distance and came home for lunch everyday.  The mother and daughter went on walks around the apartment community regularly.  One day, we happened to bump into each other, both out for walks with our little ones.  We shared some information about our children and our status as stay-at-home mothers.  From all face-value observations, it seemed that this was an incredibly loving, gentle, educated, stable mother.  Her next comment, though, really surprised me.  After summing up her role as mother, she added, "But really, I am just a babysitter."

I didn't know what to say.  How do you respond to that?  In fact, I have been mulling on it of and on ever since.

I started babysitting when I was eleven, and I think I did a pretty good job.  I brought games and books with me.  I was attentive and aware.  I followed bed-time regimens, and tried to leave the house cleaner than I found it.  Over the years, I had a few regular babysitting jobs, ones where I was called several times a month, sometimes every Friday night.  I suppose I had some attachment to those children.  But, it was still just a job, and not my full-time responsibility.

It could be very easy for me to think of myself in terms of babysitter.  I could, if I let myself, see my mothering as just mechanical fulfillment of needs.  Change diaper.  Feed baby.  Go on walk.  Read books.  Nap.  (start over)....The routine could become monotony, drudgery, and obligation.

As I have pondered my neighbor's comment, the word that keeps coming to mind is perspective.  Especially a long-term perspective, a wide-angle view, the big picture.  The answer is in The Plan of Happiness, which is a plan for families.  The Plan of Happiness is our long-term perspective.  It is how we understand where we came from, and why we are here, and where we are going.   With an understanding of those critical questions, family becomes infinitely more meaningful.  We can appreciate that we are created in the image of God, and have divine potential, and so do our children.  We can appreciate that we made a choice to come here for a season of testing with a physical body, and our children made the same choice.  We can appreciate that we are stewards and partners with God in loving and leading them.

I am impressed with this statement in The Family: A Proclamation to the World:

"Mothers are primarily responsible for the nurture of their children."  

That single sentence is the only thing that is directed specifically to mothers.  Other parental guidelines are outlined, but only this one sentence for the role of mother.  Honestly, I don't exactly understand the how of nurturing.  I do appreciate a definition by Julie B. Beck, former Relief Society General President.  She defined nurturing as, "to help to make grow."  Nurture is ever so much more than a checklist.  Nurture goes beyond task, chore, or duty.  What does seem apparent is that to nurture requires time, patience, consistency, and diligence.

Nurture also implies that you have a vision of future potential.  If you nurture a plant, to help it to grow, then you must first believe in its potential to grow.  Why give careful attention to something that you doubt will become better?  Mothers who nurture their children believe in their children's divine worth.  They anticipate their greatness and future potential.  They seek inspiration in encouraging that potential.  Nurturing children is best accomplished in partnership with God; He who knows us best and loves us most.        

In all the rush, I forgot my brain

Here's the scenario:

Sunday morning.  I am running late for church.  Come bounding down the stairs with my scriptures in hand.  Husband and baby are patiently waiting outside.  I put my scriptures on top the car, and put baby in the car.  I get in the car.  We drive to church.  It isn't until we are at church that I remember why I can't find my scriptures.  We go in, husband and mother-in-law have a pow-wow and determine to leave part way through the meeting to go looking for lost scriptures.  They come back...empty-handed.  No luck, they looked everywhere.  The meeting ends and I am feeling incredibly stupid and sad for my carelessness.  Someone taps me on the shoulder, and hands me my scriptures, with hardly a scratch or speck of dust!  It turns out that this family lives in the same neighborhood as us, and they were running slightly more tardy than we were.  They came out of the neighborhood, turned onto the frontage road and were approaching the first stoplight when they spotted a set of scriptures in the middle of the road.  So, they did what any scripture-rescuing Good Samaritan family might do--they pulled a quick U-turn, and elected their eldest son to dodge traffic and nab the lost scriptures.  

So, it helps to have Mormon neighbors.  And God is in the details, and He is exceedingly merciful.  And I am very, very grateful. 

Singing in the Rain

Dear Colorado,

Thank you for the rain last night.  Granted, rain isn't really your forte, but thanks just the same.

Oh, you do a lot of other things well, like mountain vistas--very impressive.  And picturesque winter scenes--nice job.  Big sky sunsets, cool evenings, undiluted sunshine year-round, yes, kudos, you do it all well.

I must admit, though, for a dry Rocky Mountain state, the rainstorm wasn't half bad; I give it 7 out of 10 stars.  What?  Too harsh, you say?  Do you remember my roots?  I grew up with Houston downpours that are the poster child for "raining cats and dogs."  Don't forget my exposure to Iowa Tornado Alley hail, lightning and thunder storms, with green sky, and the works.  Atlanta knows rain: all-day long drenching flash flood-type rain.  Perhaps you could learn a lesson or two from your sister states to the east.

But, it was rain just the same, and a nice refreshing one at that; long enough to do some good, but not so harsh that it washed the flower beds away.  And, for what it's worth, this girl-in-love-with-the-rain went to bed with a happy heart.

Yours respectfully,
 Liezel

Tetris Success

One of the goals for our move-in was to store all of our unused stuff upstairs in the bedroom that Ezra is using.  We were trying to avoid adding clutter to the newly tidied basement or having to rent a storage unit.  

The organization was easier said than done, but it was done!  

Ezra's room is now one-half nursery...

 ...and one-half storage room.  

Luckily his room is just for sleeping and getting dressed, so I think the set-up will work fine for the next year.   

Story-time Conversations

One of my favorite times with Ezra is story-time.  Typically, he sits on my lap and I set a little pile of books on one side of me; finished books go in a little pile on the other side of me.  Our "little pile" is usually about four quick books, appropriate for the attention span of an almost nine-month old.  Story-time regularly includes mommy/baby conversations that go something like this:

Mommy: (finishing a book) "The end.  That's the end of the story."  (Book closed and put in the done pile).

Ezra: (looking earnestly at the completed book).  "Um."

Mommy:  "We finished the book; it's all done."

Ezra:  "Um." (somewhat anxious, pats the book, looks at me).

Mommy:  "Do you want to read a new book?"  (I pat a new book in the other pile).

Ezra: "Um."  (reaches for a new book, pats it, looks at me).

Mommy:  "We'll read this one, okay?"  (I pick up a new book).

Ezra: "Um." (settles back into my lap and waits expectantly).

This little conversation pattern repeats for each finished book and each new book started.  Precious!

Bright spots amidst the boxes

The month of May has slipped through my fingers.  Packing, organizing, cleaning, and then unpacking, organizing and cleaning again pretty well sums up my month.  Aside from that monotony, here are a few of the other activities (happy, new, and/or rewarding):

•  The park near our apartment hosted half a dozen food trucks several weeknights in May.  We took advantage of food coming to us and had a picnic.  
• My friend from church, a Wisconsin transplant, asked me to design a little garden space in her backyard.  I drew up a plan, she loved the design, and wanted to implement it immediately.  We went to the plant nursery together (should have seen us...giddy as school girls) and picked out all her plants.  Before I moved she had finished the installation.  I bust a button or two seeing the plan on paper become a real garden space that she can love.
• The physical therapist made weekly visits right up until our move day.  Progress is slow, but there is progress.  Ezra can lift his torso off the ground now, pivot some, and scoot backwards.  I appreciate having help from the therapist, and recognize Ezra's good efforts!
• My sweetheart and I were asked to speak in church on Mother's Day (gulp...)  But, despite the potential emotional whirlpool on that day, I think we did alright.  The next Sunday, the choir sang one last time, a difficult arrangement of "Praise to the Man", and I have never been so relieved as when we finished that piece!  It was our swan song, albeit dramatic and fortissimo.  
• We moved the same week as two other families in our ward, but the good news is, not everyone was burned out, and helpers showed up to assist.  Dallin had originally reserved a 20' truck, but at the last minute we decided that maybe something bigger would be better.  We upgraded to a 26' truck--and filled it!
• We moved to my in-law's house (we will be surrogate care-takers for the next year while they are in China) on a very rainy morning.  The good news is, we had taken special care to put down sticky plastic carpet protector, so the newly cleaned carpet stayed nice. 
• One of our first dinners after moving in was courtesy of the garden!  The Asian Mesclun salad mix that I planted in late March is up and beautiful!  I can't tell you how wonderful it was to walk out the back door and harvest veggies!  The greens were picked, made into a lovely Asian salmon salad, and thoroughly enjoyed.  
• Our first post-move-in date night was spent at a local plant nursery where we bought summer vegetables for the backyard raised beds, and annuals for the decorative pots on the front porch.  I was most pleased with getting to play in the dirt again, and feel like a very lucky Liezel to have such a terrific bit of earth to tend for the next year.    

Relocation

This has been home for the last two years.  We are moving on, and in the process of relocating, I realize how much I have loved living here, and how leaving will be hard.  I have lived in enough places, however, to know that there are always plenty of goodies around the next corner, but have felt extra nostalgic about leaving this place.  I have felt nostalgic because this was our first home together as a married couple and because our first baby was born here.  There are so many important and meaningful memories that give this place a special spirit.  I suppose I am also nostalgic because it has been such a good beginning for our family and a certain amount of looking back in gratitude gives me faith and courage for the next leg of the journey.