Mixed Bag

I am very much aware of the fact that our household consists of small accomplishments, little discoveries, and quiet triumphs, as compared with the world at large.  But to me, they are worth documenting.  I rejoice in my stay-at-home mom opportunity, and feel so grateful for such tiny moments.

Ezra, for example, is potty-training!  Our first two days were a complete disaster, and I was on the verge of giving up, but then on day three, it clicked.  He has a near perfect track record (about ten days in), and most of the time initiates the visits to the bathroom.  It feels so wonderful to change just one set of diapers!

Ezra has also started to love saying prayers.  For at least six months, he has absolutely refused to say a prayer, or be reverent for prayer time, but in the last week as finally had a breakthrough.  Now at prayer time, he often jumps right in to offer the prayer if no one else is quick enough, he usually folds his arms, bows his head, and expresses a number of thoughtful "thank yous".  Yesterday we were headed to his cousin's house for a birthday party.  Ezra volunteered to say the prayer and began it in this way: "Dear Heavenly Father, We thank thee for Gabriel and the toys at his house." 

Daily life as a mommy is a grand experiment in connecting with my children, but I do often feel quiet promptings to change or adjust as needed.  Recently, I felt prompted to emphasize the importance of loving one another.  A wise prophet-king in the Book of Mormon offered this simple, timeless counsel to parents: "teach them to love one another, and to serve one another" (Mosiah 4:15).  With that scripture in mind, I have started singing the hymn "Love One Another", based on the Savior's own words from the book of John.  The result has truly humbled me; listen to those little promptings!  I sing this song every day, and without fail, every day the Spirit touches us, and we all choose to be a little more kind.  Literally every time I sing the song, Ezra will hug his sister, or pass her a toy he took, or tell her he loves her.  I feel more calm, and my patience is rekindled.  Maren seems less clingy on me and less edgy around Ezra.  Little miracles!

Our vegetable garden has been tremendously productive.  We have more fresh garden tomatoes than we know how to use.  Last week I packed up bags of tomatoes for four of our neighbors, and we still had a 14-cup bowl filled to the brim left over.  Our favorite has been the yellow pear tomato, which might as well be candy to me.  The lovely lemon yellow 3" fruit is hardy and prolific.  One plant has given us at least 30 tomatoes every week for the last month.  The kale in our garden is quite a marvel: no pest problems, no bolting from summer heat, no leaf spots, no fungus, just stanch, hardy neat-and-tidy rows that have grown without wavering since May.  I cut it back to use in my cooking, and two days later, you can't even tell it was cut.

My personal gospel study has been focused for many weeks on a simple one-liner from the most recent General Conference.  I have read, and re-read the message from Elder Donald Hallstrom, and find so much encouragement and hope in his counsel.  His talk was actually addressed to the men in the priesthood session, but his words are universal.  Here is one of my favorite parts: "...Who we are is not who we can become. We meet here tonight in the name of Jesus Christ. We meet with the confidence that His Atonement gives every one of us—no matter our weaknesses, our frailties, our addictions—the ability to change. We meet with the hope that our future, no matter our history, can be better." 

I think about that last statement a lot.  I can change!  I can do better!  The future is bright!  Motivated by that idea, I have tried to help Ezra consider a more positive spin to his words.  As he grows and learns more, he will often come to me in frustration, and burst out, "Mommy, I can't."  I have been trying to encourage him (and counsel myself at the same time) to say instead, "I can, with some help."  And, then he does--with a little help.  I know this idea was a prompting from the Spirit too, because it feels like the relationship we have with our Father in Heaven.  He wants us to be agents, to act independently, to feel confident in our abilities, but He also is so willing and able to help.

A few pictures from August:

The elusive family picture...pretty good for a tripod/timer/no photographer attempt!

We found this field of sunflowers by our house--beautiful.

An example of our abundant tomato crop, and an anxious tomato consumer

Happy girl!

Maren's Birthday Party!

 Here are a few pictures from Maren's one-year birthday party.  I made her a pumpkin spice cake with whipping cream "icing".  At first all she did was lick the cream like a puppy, but did eventually get excited and grab the entire slab of cake. 

Nimbly taste-testing the cake.

This is good Mom!

No little bites here--dig right in!

Hooray for cake!

Tired Daddy became Ezra's creative opportunity!

He calls it Dad with Balloons, no. 1. 

Opening presents was a group effort.  Luckily, Maren was accommodating.

Little musical instruments for my rhythm girl.

Happy Birthday Maren!

Big Girl

My baby girl is one!  Earlier this week I looked again at her just-born pictures, and I can't believe how quickly she grew from a tiny, helpless newborn to my energetic, giggly roaming little miss.  Maren is so fascinated and fun and full of personality; everything is new and thrilling to her.

She is a speedy crawler, goes up and down stairs in a flash (actually she slides down the stairs now), and walks along and with anyone that will hold still long enough.  Maren is much more adventurous in her physical mobility than Ezra was--climbing, reaching, rolling, and sliding.  I have also seen a fair bit of ballerina pointe technique; she has some strong little tiptoes!  She eats exclusively table food, and drinks from a sippy cup.  I have been trying to introduce cow's milk, but a sip or two is all I can get from her.  Mom's milk and water are still her beverages of choice.   

Maren is a feisty little sister.  She snatches Ezra's matchbox cars when he isn't looking, she steals Bear and lays on him, and has her own slew of "I'm not happy with you" responses to Ezra's teasing.  At other times, she giggles uncontrollably with Ezra, especially when he playfully chases her or (gently!) wrestles with her.  She loves playing in-and-out games and peek-a-boo with me.  Any activity with a ball is an instant hit.  Rearranging the lower kitchen cupboards is a daily ritual. 

She adores being outside, and has already eaten her fair share of dirt, rocks, and grass...and a ladybug.  She loves the park and does a full-body spasm of excitement at the sight of swings or slides.  It is so fitting that Maren's fourth word (after dada, momma, and Eh-da) is "weeeeee!"  She  is my go-go girl, and any kind of motion is her thing.  Sitting still is a challenge; being contained in a pew for sacrament meeting is an incredible frustration.  She usually gets to know all of our pew neighbors behind, in front, and to the side before the meeting is over.   

My little miss has some serious rhythm!  She bobs her head, wiggles her bum, and waves her arms at any and all music--at home, in the grocery store, in the car, at church, or even the annoying little ditty played from the ice cream truck  We sing most everyday at our house, and as soon as I say the words, "Let's sing a song,"  Maren starts to move and vocalize with me.  She seems to already have a sense of tapping to a beat as well.   

Books are beginning to be a bigger interest, especially books with photos of animals.  Maren is particularly enamored with dogs.  She doesn't have any favorite toys or strong attachments, but she does enjoy a snuggling with a blanket at bedtime now.

My Sister

My sister got married earlier this month.  My sister!  Molly was the perfect bride.  She was all composure, and grace, and beauty.  Her wedding was everything she is: sophisticated, classic, elegant, refined, thoughtful, lovely.  My new brother-in-law, John, is a perfect gentleman, so kind, steady, and adoring.  They deserve each other in every wonderful way!

Molly and John had a formal wedding dinner the night before the temple sealing, and a reception the night of the sealing.  The sealing in the Salt Lake Temple, though, was the highlight for me.

After the fact, someone said that we started late, that we were behind schedule in the temple.  Who knew?  I was completely oblivious.  I didn't have a watch or a cell phone, and time seems to melt away in the temple.  There was no where else in the world I wanted to be at that moment than in the temple with a much loved sister and her new sweetheart.  I remember feeling so completely at peace, very much in that moment, with no other distractions.  I remember loving the quiet time to sit next to my own sweetheart with the luxury of holding his hand and admiring the details of a beautiful room.  I remember reviewing my own covenants, and rejoicing in the blessing of making eternal commitments with God.  I remember listening intently, watching closely, and breathing deeply.

What a privilege to witness the beginning of their new life.  Congratulations!  I love you!