Dinner Teamwork

Tonight, around dinnertime, Dallin was browsing my recipe book for an appropriate option for his Sunday night meal.  Ezra was nearby and noticed an intriguing recipe featuring pasta and bacon.  He had strong feelings about the recipe, and had a great desire to make it for dinner, so he and Daddy made it together!

Ezra does take an interest in cooking, but has never been so focused in the execution.  I think it had a lot to do with one key ingredient--bacon.  At any rate, Ezra was grating cheese, adding milk, stirring pasta, and sprinkling in green onions and bacon.  It was a true father-and-son effort!  I was so pleased to see his interest.  Of course, he was so proud of his contribution and soaked up the positive feedback like a little sponge.  Three cheers for Daddy and Ezra, the heroes of our Sunday dinner!

Ezra and Maren chipped in together to help me make brownies after dinner.  They each took turns adding an ingredient, stirring with their whisks, and then licking them when the job was complete.  Hooray for teamwork!

Memorial Day weekend

We had a great four-day weekend for the Memorial Day holiday (Dallin took Friday off too).  We took advantage of the time and did a new family activity every day.  On Saturday, rain notwithstanding, we took a nice walking tour of downtown Golden, had lunch in a local sandwich shop, and then took a drive on the scenic Lariat Loop byway up to the top of Lookout Mountain.  The byway has a speed limit of 20 mph, and 15 mph on the hairpin turns, and it is an appropriate speed given the great quantity of bikers who traverse the road in all sorts of weather.  At various points along our slow ascent, it was pouring rain, and these hardcore bikers were still out--and loving it.  We also saw at least a dozen deer browsing the mountainside in mother and fawn groups.  The views were fantastic on the way up, and at the summit.  Our scenic drive took us up in elevation about 1700 feet, and the temperature dropped about 20 degrees.  When we did reach the top, we dashed to the edge of the cliff, snapped a few pictures and ran right back to our car.

        

Grandpa Visit

My dad came to see us for a quick weekend visit in April.  The highlight, I think, was our visit to the Museum of Nature and Science.  The last time I went was when Ezra was a baby, and Maren wasn't born.  It was about time we went to see it again!  They have made some nice improvements since our last visit, especially for kids.  The museum now has an entire Discovery Zone wing devoted to younger children (0-8) with nice sensory activities involving water, digging, building, climbing, and experimenting.

I think, though, Ezra and Maren were most enamored by the North American animal displays and the Prehistoric Journey (dinosaurs).  I can't imagine how impressive a moose or a brontosaurus must feel when you are barely two feet tall!  Grandpa especially enjoyed the Gems and Minerals section.  We loved having a jolly Grandpa Scott at our house for a few days!

Spring Garden

Spring garden crops, in early May BEFORE we had a week of rain.  The broccoli is literally twice as big now.  Peas are already sending out their tendrils and climbing the wire trellis.  The green onions and leeks in the background survived the winter and are putting out flowers.  I hate to cut them back-- even though they getting tough--as they are covered with honey bees most every day.  I do love to support the local pollinators. 

Temple Site

On a recent Saturday we took a little road trip to see the new temple site under construction.  The Fort Collins Temple is scheduled to be completed sometime next spring, probably about this time next year.  We will be in the new temple district, so we decided to check on its progress.

The drive to the new temple will be about the same as our current drive to the Denver Temple, but the traffic route is so much nicer.  The highway is rarely ever congested, and the scenery is pleasant.  I was surprised to see the temple spire from the exit ramp!  Construction seems to be going well!

Ezra was excited to see the temple--and the building equipment.  The new temple sits adjacent to a chapel that happens to look very similar to ours.  He and I used the restroom inside the church, and then came out the south doors that look out at the temple.  It was a surreal feeling to walk out of what felt like our chapel, and see the temple on the other side of the parking lot!  Ezra noticed it too.  "Mommy, the temple came to our church!"

After our temple site visit, we spent some time in Fort Collins, which always seems to put Dallin in a peaceful, reminiscent mood as he remembers his college days.  We found a terrific park, played awhile, and had a picnic.  It was a perfectly lovely family day.

The Busy Month

Hmphf...a month has passed since my last blog post.

All I can say is spring and I have a love-hate relationship, and while I relish the newness and warmness of spring, it has a tendency to put this gardening girl into a whirr of activity to keep up.  I have to beat the heat, so all the hard labor gardening projects need to be completed before June!

Since my last post:

• I acquired a small quantity of retaining wall blocks (40 lbs each) and built another raised bed for warm season vegetables.  Yes, yes...that would be in addition to the two existing 20' beds already built for vegetables.  Sharing vegetables is one of the ways I try to be a good neighbor, and we often have much to share.
• I (tried) to solve a drainage problem by diverting water to a little runnel and then built up a short wall around it for asparagus.  The little canal has been filled in with good earth, and one year old asparagus stock was planted on April 1.  Asparagus does not start producing until it is 3 years old, but we are looking forward to that time!
• The early spring crops in the two main vegetable garden rows were also planted April 1.  This year I am trying broccoli, and so far so good!  It rained for a solid week at the start of May and has been cool and overcast ever since, so my plants are doing marvelous.  I anticipate a BUMPER crop of kale again--it is hardy vegetable even at 2" tall. 
• Our backyard is overflowing with landscape rock of the 1-2" variety, but also has an abundance of interesting boulder-size geological specimens.  I picked the most interesting ones and build another rock wall raised bed for a perennial flower garden, which is something I have hoped to plant for years.  It is in!  I selected a dozen or so of the sun-loving, long-blooming types, and hope to attract many a butterfly.
• Oh, and I forgot to mention that we brought in 2 yards of good garden earth for all the new planting beds, and another yard of well-mellowed compost for the existing garden beds.  One wheelbarrow full at a time...
• Dallin and I worked for the better part of two weeks with a pick axe at intervals (long enough to rest sore muscles) on the LAST tree stump in the yard.  At long last, the Siberian Elm stump has been removed.  Please folks, don't ever plant such a tree in your yard, especially 10" from your AC unit!
• I dug a foundation for a shed, then we brought in a yard of road fill, and then we laid concrete slabs on top the road fill, and then we built a shed.  
• We built a shed--it really needs its own bullet point.  Dallin hopes to never, ever, ever do that again.  It took 8 hours--enough said.  
• And finally, we found a very cheap play fort on Craigslist, we rented a U-haul to pick it up, we mended the poor broken thing, made a "kid zone" area and are currently in process of assembling it.  It is still in need of a several more repairs, but it much more stable and play worthy now.

Whew.  That was my month.  I have pictures, and good arm muscles. 

Perennial flower garden bed with rock wall (to the right of our back door).

Raised garden bed: future home of warm season vegetables (to the left of our back door).

Foundation for the garden shed.

Garden shed in process.

Grandpa Time

Grandpa John spent Easter weekend with us, and I caught two cute Grandpa-Ezra moments on film.  They are definitely of the sharing variety.

Ezra--lover of books and story-time--requested that Grandpa read a few.

I especially like the picture above, because if my Dad were here (and he is coming next weekend!), he would have requested the very same thing.  Ezra was happy to oblige, and Grandpa was pleased to get a little head massage. 

General Conference Favorite

Last weekend was truly lovely, and hard to beat:  Easter and General Conference in one weekend. Grandpa John was also here visiting, which was a treat.  We don't often get a visit from just him, and I think the kids got to know him a little better one-on-one. 

Sunday morning we sat around the breakfast table and had a wonderful talk about the Resurrection of Jesus Christ, and then we discussed the unique opportunity of seeing Thomas S. Monson on the television screen.  Ezra was beyond excited, and was thrilled when the Prophet's face did appear at the pulpit--brief though it was.

One of my favorite moments from this most recent General Conference came in the Sunday afternoon session.  Maren was upstairs napping--and Daddy and Grandpa might have dozed off for a bit too--so it was very quiet.  Ezra sat snuggled next to me listening (mostly), and then a member of the Seventy named Kevin W. Pearson started speaking and Ezra was suddenly fully engaged.  I don't imagine Elder Pearson intended to appeal to a 3.5 year-old audience, but he completely captured Ezra's attention.  My sweet Ezra boy was hanging on every word, and with great excitement would repeat back to me some of his many memorable phrases, such as:

"Satan has powerful tools, Mommy!"
"Lehi!..The tree of life!"
"Don't forget to pray, Mommy!"
"We need to stay on the path, Mommy!"
"We need to stay by the tree, Mommy!" (repeated at least three times)
"The Book of Mormon--every day!"

Being a mom has many rewards, and they are usually in the quiet moments of the day when the still, small voice of the Spirit can touch my heart or my children's heart--or both.  Ezra and I had one of those sweet mommy-son moments as we heard truth together.  I am so grateful for the gift of the Holy Ghost.

Making Connections

I think Ezra has recently made an important connection.  Based on his outward actions, he seems to have figured out this important truth:

"I have an incredibly loyal, darling friend and sweet sister when I help her feel safe and happy.  When I don't help her feel safe and happy, she doesn't want to be with me, and then I'm lonely."

Ezra and Maren have recently improved their quality and quantity of together-play time.  There are more moments of giggling, holding hands, cuddling, and kindness.  There are even some sweet moments of unstructured collaborative fun between the two of them that is not initiated by me.  What a beautiful pattern! 

When Ezra and Maren are well-rested and fed (otherwise all bets are off!), they are genuinely pleased, even delighted to be together.  Sometimes, if Ezra gets a little rough, and Maren is on the verge of abandoning him, he will shower Maren with loves and apologies to encourage her to stay.  "Ezra," is almost always Maren's first word when she wakes up in the morning.  She truly adores her little brother, and Ezra is beginning to truly adore his little sister.

These few pictures from the past two weeks are just a glimpse of their deepening sibling bond.  And I couldn't be happier!

Oh the Wonders of a Mom Visit

The kitchen cabinet renovation has been pushed forward in a major way because--you'll never guess--my mom came for a visit!  She wanted to come over for her birthday, as her gift to herself.  We did celebrate her birthday, of course, but the major activity of the past week was painting the kitchen.  Both kids were sick for the most of the time she was here, so I took advantage of my mom's willingness and the kid's low energy.   My mom loves to be useful, and enjoys home improvement projects, so I think it is safe to say that she thoroughly enjoyed her opportunity to use a paint roller for several days in a row.  She shaved off at least a month of late night painting from my to-do list, and I am tickled every time I walk into my new-and-improved kitchen.

I have twenty-three cabinet doors, and while my mom was here, seventeen were completed (with new hinges and hardware) and hung.  There is some touch-up painting, caulking, and tweaking to do, but the end is in sight!  And I am ready for the end!  This turned out to be a bigger project than I anticipated, and it has all but consumed my late evening attentions for the better part of two months.  I look forward to spending more time with the people I love rather than paint and rollers.

Thanks Mom!  You're awesome!
       

The six remaining base cabinet doors still need to be painted and installed.

The original cabinet did not wrap around the corner, this was a design change.

After we added cabinets around the corner, it made sense to put one on other side of the window too.

These upper and lower cabinets are also new, and take advantage of all available space!

p.s.--I am considering putting some kind of apparatus in place for plant display around/along/hanging at the kitchen window.  Any thoughts? (I'm looking at you Jane of the Jungle, Architect Especial...)

Maren: 18 months

Maren is 18 months old, and full of personality.  She is a roller coaster of emotions, but lately has been pouty most often.  Her entire physique changes when she doesn't get her way: slumped shoulders, protruding lip, bowed head, sad eyes, and a slow, pathetic walk to a corner where she lets out a disappointed, "Ohhh..."  It happens so often that it has become our little joke to see how quickly I can get her to giggle or smile again.  She also has a quick temper, and will scream at Ezra so intensely that he sometimes comes running--with real fear for his well being--from "the dragon" (ie, Maren).  We have already had to train Maren to take a deep breath, which she will do if prompted, to try and calm her body.  Most of the time, after a big deep breath and a hug, the anger is quelled.  I am not sure if this is a toddler girl in a stage, or if we have a serious drama queen on our hands.  Ezra never had great pout shows or screaming tantrums, but then again, he didn't have an older sibling who was a constant tease.  I guess if being a mother was an easy job, I might get bored.  It isn't easy, and most days we ride the roller coaster of getting in fights, and remembering to love one another. 

Maren is creative in her use of words, and for the time being, doesn't seem interested in increasing her vocabulary.  Last month, her most commonly used phrase was "da-bab-ba-dee", which covered everything she didn't know how to say.  It was the mommy guessing game as to what her catch-all phrase was trying to communicate on any given day.  She has given up on that mouthful, and just points now, which is more efficient and less frustrating for both of us.  She does use other catch-all phrases, such as "mo-du-why", which means "more (fill in the blank)".  At bedtime, when she and I snuggle, she requests songs by saying, "ba-ba-bobby".  That word used to mean she wanted me to sing "Ba Ba Black Sheep", but now just means she wants music.  We play another mommy-Maren guessing game; I sing a few measures, and if it is not to her particular fancy, she lets me know right away.  "No, no no!" she will say, and then I try again until I find a favorite.

Maren can also be intensely sympathetic and compassionate.  She is deeply concerned about Ezra when he cries; she rushes to his side, or scurries off in search of Bear, or gives him hugs and pats.  She adores her daddy, and screams in delights, and melts into uncontrollable giggles when the garage door opens, signaling that daddy is home from work.  Maren is also very aware of our family unit and seems most at ease when we are all together at home.  If Ezra, for example, gets up to use the bathroom during dinner, she often dissolves into tears, but then immediately composes herself when he returns.  When Ezra goes to preschool, Maren usually wanders the house aimlessly, and asks every 10 minutes or so about her brother, "Ez-er-ra?"

Maren loves bouncy balls, nesting cups, beads, "me-me" (Minnie Mouse), and her babies.  She also has a few favorite matchbox cars that Ezra has loaned her.  She enjoys the book There's A Nightmare in My Closet, mostly because she loves to share her super-dramatic scared face when the nightmare comes out of the closet.  Silly girl!  Maren is also in love with baby oranges (cuties, clementines, Halos), and she will eat as many as I am willing to peel.

Oh, and drawing!  She loves to draw.  She sometimes uses drawing as a stall tactic at naps and bedtime!  Maren doesn't have very many words, but "draw" is one of them.  The trouble with her great interest in drawing is the markers, pens, pencils, and crayons end up on paper...and everywhere else.  She has a great desire to make marks, but not a great understanding of the appropriate bounds to her artistic endeavors.  Let's just say she has blue pouty lips a lot.  (Yes, I need a picture of that.) 

At her recent check-up she was in the 93% for height, and with her quantity of hair, could easily pass for a 2-year old.  She transitioned beautifully into nursery; she practically takes herself in and hardly looks back at us.  Awesome! 

  

Dancing in the empty bathtub with Ezra: her favorite thing!

Granola Love

Homemade granola is on my favorites list right now.  It is my go-to breakfast most every day.  My granola love is all the more sweet because Jane gave me the-biggest-metal-mixing-bowl-you-ever-did-see as a Christmas gift.  The mixing bowl is big enough to easily hold the 40 cups of oats my recipe requires.  Jane is the hero of my non-messy granola-making endeavors.  (Please take a bow, Jane!)  Previous to receiving this gift, I needed to use three of my biggest--not really so big--bowls, and I usually spilled a quarter of my oats onto the countertop and floor.

My granola recipe is based loosely on one I found in a cooking magazine, and includes yummy ingredients such as coconut oil, honey, cinnamon, vanilla, and cardamon.  My favorite mix-ins are pumpkins seeds, sunflower seeds, dried blueberries, coconut flakes, and walnuts.  Granola is a happy way to start my morning.     

Boots!

We get a few mid-winter thaws here, and when the snow melts, our backyard turns into a muddy mess.  Of course, Ezra and Maren love to play outside when we have 70 degree days in February, but the quantity of mud sometimes causes more headache than its worth.  As a practical solution to cleaning mud-caked leather shoes regularly, I opted to find the kids some rubber boots.  I love the idea of rubber boots: easy to put on, easy to clean, good for puddle jumping, mud-sloshing, and gardening.  My current rubber boots were purchased at a farm supply store in Iowa ten years ago, and I still wear them outdoors whenever the sun shines.  

I do believe my practical purchase was laced with inspiration because the boots were love at first sight for Ezra and Maren.  They both want to wear them constantly, in the house and outside.  And, as an added bonus, I am, officially, a super awesome mom right now.  "I love my boots, Mom!  I love my boots!"  Ezra exclaimed.  "I have fire chief boots Mom!  I'm cool!"  Maren danced and tapped and twirled to express her excitement.  

I have made a few purchases for my kids in which the small monetary input was far and away outstripped by the happiness, usefulness, and quality play output.  For example, Bear has been a part of our family for nearly 2.5 years, and he is still cherished by Ezra on a daily basis.  I found Ezra a toy push mower for $7 at a consignment sale when he was 18 months old, and he still loves it--and so does every other boy who comes to our house to play.  Maren has very simple tastes: bouncy balls from the dollar store are her endless delight.  I think this latest purchase needs to be added to that list.  I see many months of usefulness and happiness from rubber boots.

Success and Failure are Equal

This past Saturday, our stake had its annual women's conference.  The conference started with a big group devotional and musical number, and then we separated out to classes.  Seven different 45-minute classes were offered, but there was only time to attend three.  My first choice class was a parenting class taught by a licensed professional counselor from a neighboring stake.  I tend to gravitate to classes of this nature because these professionals often have a few extra tools in their tool belt for understanding human nature.

I was not disappointed in my choice; his class was exceptionally informative and enlightening.  Before the class started, he drew a large 3 x 3 block chart on the chalkboard with a different short phrases in each block.  Each short phrase operated as a conversation starter; as his audience, we chose those topics that seemed the most interesting, and then he discussed the concepts behind the statements.

"Success and failure are equal" was one of his nine short phrases.  I love the concept.  Essentially, it is this: family life is all about growth, not success or failure.  We are here on earth to learn and improve.  We win some, we loose some.  Ultimately, our attitude should be the same, no matter the outcome:

"You succeeded--great--what did you learn?"  
"You failed--great--what did you learn?   

Success and failure are the same.  In either case, we use the experience--positive or negative--as a springboard for further learning.  He pointed out that the amplification of either success or failure can move us into Satan's territory.  The amplification of success is pride.  The amplification of failure is worthlessness.  On the other hand, if you cultivate a culture of learning and growth in your family, humility is the dominant virtue.  I see this principle at work in the parable of the talents (Matthew 25:14-30).  The master was pleased with effort, not success or failure.  The goal is growth.

Hello January

We have had a good month--I just forgot to write about it.

The biggest event was a wedding!  My brother Aaron married Hannah at the beginning of the month in the Salt Lake Temple.  Our family flew in for a week to celebrate with them.  Dallin and I attended a wedding dinner at the Joseph Smith Memorial Building the night before their sealing.   I love the intimate setting of a wedding dinner; it gives the bride and groom precious personal time with their closest friends and family.  Hannah chose to have her dance with her father at that dinner, and oh, it was a sweet thing.  I don't know Hannah or her father very well, but I was a blubbery mess by the end.   

Aaron and Hannah coming out of the temple!

 The temple sealing was early the next day, and, for a wedding in the Salt Lake Temple, they picked a day that was relatively quiet.  It doesn't get much better than seeing a family member be sealed to their sweetheart.  I felt so grateful for Aaron and Hannah's choice, and our opportunity to witness it.  It felt so good to be in the temple with so many family members.  And, we have finally crossed a threshold: there are now more married siblings than unmarried siblings!       

Aaron and the sisters (I blinked).

 The reception was hosted at my parent's home that evening.  Many, many weeks of preparation went into a very successful, very well-attended event.  The front yard was filled with homemade luminaries (I think at least 100), and twinkly lights covered the house and a dozen large trees.  Inside the house, every mantle piece, table top, counter, and shelf was covered in flower sprays, candles, and portraits of the new couple.  The whole house smelled like a florist shop, and we had music for most of the night courtesy of Dallin on violin, with piano accompaniment by a close family friend.

Ezra loved the reception, especially the abundant supply of cake.

In other lesser news, I am renovating our kitchen.  I like the original layout, but decided to paint the existing oak cabinets white.  It is currently a great work-in-progress, which could potentially continue for a few more months.  The painting is slow going, as every door and cabinet box needs three coats of primer, and three coats of paint.  We plan to add six additional cabinets (cabinet space is sparse; we have no pantry), to two different open walls.  We also plan to replace the old laminate counter top with new laminate of a different design.  The kitchen is very functional, but a little small, and I am amazed at how much bigger it feels painted white.  I have painted several coats of primer on most of the cabinetry, and I love the new look.   Here is a before and after picture of the progress thus far:

Oak cabinets with original stove and exhaust hood.

White kitchen cabinets with new (to us) stove and microwave a friend gave us for free!

As a Christmas gift, a friend gave us a gift card for a company who provides its customers access to small, artisan food producers who specialize in unique types of meats.  We gave it a try, and opted to buy a quantity of ground bison raised by a local rancher.  Neither Dallin, nor I had ever tried bison.  I found a recipe for bison burgers, which we ate on rosemary sourdough toast, with Dijon mustard, cheddar, and piled high with caramelized onions.  It was truly heavenly.  I have a new food love.            

Christmas Morning 2014

Sorry to keep the grandparents waiting for these! 

 Ezra is not very demonstrative, so this big grin = a winning gift.  Grandma gave him a huge box of additional tracks.  He has played for hours every day, all week with the trains and tracks. 

 Maren received a Little People Noah's Ark with a dozen different animals (in pairs).  She was pleased!

 Ezra received a shopping cart, with a place for Bear to ride.  Maren received a baby doll stroller, which they opened together.  It was love at first sight for both kids.

 "Baby!": Maren was very excited to find this little doll in her stocking.

Ezra found a cool car in his Christmas stocking.

My favorite part of Christmas morning is captured in this little video.  The entire family is sharing cinnamon toast, and listening to Dallin's new Piano Guys CD, which includes a fun mix of "Let it Go" (from Frozen) and some intense Vivaldi strings.  Ezra really enjoys this particular song, as seen in the video.

Blessing in Disguise

Somewhere amidst teaching preschool twice in December, watching my nephew Gabriel for a weekend, making 25+ snowman centerpieces for the ward Christmas breakfast, going to the mountain lodge in Breckenridge for a few days, and Christmas shopping, Ezra, Maren, and Dallin all got stomach flu.

Maren got it first.  She threw up three different times, soiled three different sets of sheets and pajamas, and needed three baths, all between the hours of two and four in the morning.  The next morning she threw up again, and then spent the rest of the day wanting to be held.  Ezra was a perfect big brother.  He gave her loves every half hour for most of the day, rubbed her back, brought her some of his favorite cuddly things (including Bear), and said many times, "Big brother is here.  I can comfort you."  It was a sweet thing to witness.

Two nights later, the scenario was repeated; Ezra threw up all night long.  He is old enough to recognize the urge to throw up, but also old enough to try and fight the urge.  Every time his body tried to get the junk out, he tried to swallow it back.  So, what could have been over and done in an hour or two was instead prolonged through the entire night.  But, the next morning, Maren extended to Ezra the same kindnesses that she had received.  She was the ever attentive, compassionate, concerned little sister to her queasy brother.  She is a great hugger, and if Ezra ever offered up even a small whimper, she was at his side to give him a hug.

Just prior to the entire family getting sick, I had been praying for more service opportunities.  Christmas wasn't feeling quite like Christmas yet, and I was looking for inspiration to that end.  In the midst of Maren's second throw-up session, I got the message.  "Ahh, right, I get it," I thought to myself, "service opportunity."  And, although cleaning up throw-up is one of the last things I would ever sign up to do, with the service bit in mind, it felt different.  I recognized my opportunity to fulfill a need, and offer help.  I was thinking of service to strangers, or service to friends, and Heavenly Father had other ideas.  Home feels so much more like a holy place when service is involved

One of the best gifts I received this Christmas was seeing my children emulate the love of Jesus Christ, without any external motivation.  "Teach them to love one another, and to serve one another" (Mosiah 4:15) has been, and continues to be our family focus.  The kindness and comfort that they both offered to one another is evidence that our efforts are starting to sink in.  Nothing could be more precious or important to me as a parent.

Three Kernels

So, despite the fact that I love to write, I am not a blog-everyday-of-November blogger like my dedicated sister-in-laws.  (Kudos to them!)  But, I do want to close November with thanksgiving; I feel so richly blessed.   Here are my "three kernels" for 2014:

• I am thankful for personal revelation.  Raising children in light and truth is a challenge in a confusing world, and I need help.  I believe in a loving Heavenly Father who cares deeply, intimately, and completely for each of His children.  I know He wants to inspire me to do my best so I and my children can all be happier.  What a blessing--the heavens are not closed.

• I am thankful for the Atonement.  I am thankful for repentance and forgiveness.  When my patience wears thin, when I say something I wish I hadn't, when I get selfish, moody, and prideful, I am so grateful that I am not permanently stained.  I can try again!  The Atonement helps bad become good and good become better.  What a precious gift.

• I am thankful for my family.  I was single for a longer time than most, and spent a lot of that time far from family too.  I know what loneliness feels like, and I know what it means to really ache for righteous desires that are not always forthcoming.  My beautiful family fills all those empty voids with happiness, energy, and purpose.  Dallin, Ezra, and Maren mean everything to me.  I love their company, I love their conversations.  My favorite moments are spending quality time with my sweetheart, or reading books with Ezra, or jabbering with Maren.  My best memories are made on family outings.  Being together at home is time well spent.

And, because three is a small number, a few other kernels of thanks:

• I am thankful for cameras to help me preserve the faces of my favorite people.

• I am thankful for my ancestors.  I have been studying their faces and stories these past few weeks, and I am impressed by their faith, fortitude, and courage.  I feel more motivated to stay true when I think of them.

• I am thankful for the temple.  Now that Maren is a little older, Dallin and I have started attending the temple together again.  I crave the peace and truth that I feel in the temple.  It keeps me grounded to go often.

• I am thankful for warm days in winter.  I put up our outdoor Christmas lights yesterday in bare feet and a short sleeve shirt.  I'll take it!

• I am thankful for music.  I love singing Primary songs with my kids.  I love impromptu dance parties chasing, running, and giggling to peppy pop songs.  I love hearing Dallin do an Irish jig on his fiddle.  Good music gives me a happy heart.   

First Snow

We had our first snow of the season last week, and when it warmed up a little, Ezra wanted to go out and play.  As far as he was concerned, nothing had changed from the summer--except that I made him wear a coat.  (It took a good ten minutes to convince him that it was very cold and his body needed extra layers).  He went out, happy as a clam, and pulled out all his diggers and dump truck, and continued work on his construction site, like he had done every day when it was warm.  This time, though, they were scooping snow instead of dirt.  The change in weather hardly phased him.  "I have jobs to do, mommy," he said resolutely.

Maren, however, was mostly seriously displeased by the entire ordeal.  Her Aunt Sarah gifted her the most beautiful, snuggly, poofy pink coat ever, but it didn't improve her opinion of the snow and cold.  If this girl could talk, she probably would have given me a lecture about the ridiculousness of doing anything in such cold weather.  I am not much of a cold weather person either, so I can understand.  Needless to say, my adorable pink marshmallow girl didn't stay outside very long.  We'll try again another day.  

   Maren may not be keen on snow, but she has become a genius climber.  She is up and on and in everything.  Her mission in life is to get elevated as quickly as possible.  Her new favorite trick is pushing chairs to other taller things so she can then climb on them, like tables or counters.  She delights in playing in the toilet bowl, then climbing on the toilet, and frolicking in the empty bathtub.  In other developments, she has her two front teeth.  Also, she has followed her big brother's good example at prayer time, and she will now fold her arms for prayers, and sometimes keep them folded for the entire prayer without touching her food.  Dallin and I have been impressed with her self-control in that area.  She loves to pray!

Do you see her two top teeth?

Ezra has his first (real) best friend.  Aside from Bear, Ezra has formed quite an attachment for a darling girl from church, who is also in his preschool class.  Cadhla (pronounced Kyla) and Ezra play together perfectly for hours, which is a rather miraculous social development!  Just think, my sweet boy doesn't have to be constantly supervised; I don't have to help settle play disputes every ten minutes.  What an astounding concept!  The bad news is this cute girl is moving away next week (sigh).  Ezra seems to do better with girl playmates, so here's hoping someone new moves in!

Cadhla and Ezra