Jonah- like you've never heard it before

My MIL emailed this to me (thanks!):

http://vimeo.com/16404771

I would go to church EVERY week if I could hear it told like that!  What an inspiring little girl.  I've got no more excuses for the 'Mormon Monotone', I'm determined to liven things up a bit when I deliver my next talk.

And while I'm on the topics of religion and water, last Saturday Nathaniel was baptized, and we blessed Jack in our home.

I was feeling overwhelmed, so we kept it very small and simple, inviting only parents and siblings; even so, we still had a houseful!  I think it's amazing to watch how families grow and expand over the years.  This is a world of change, and that is the only thing that is certain in this life.

I'm just trying to keep adapting to it, and keep on counting my blessings as I go along.  

Blushing, Laughing, Smiling

I'm blushing.

My dear friend, The Purse Blogger  (Laura) is featuring me as her 'favorite lady of the week' today.  Yipeee!!  Stop by her awesome blog, check it out, and tell her we're all friends.  She is one of the best bloggers on the net, and is my favorite lady of the week (month, year..) for sure.



I'm  laughing.

I opened windows media player after my husband had been using my laptop, and noticed that the last thing which had been played was a video with a....well, questionable title.  I wanted to know (WTH?!) my DH had been watching, but I couldn't get it to come up.  I was filled with suspicion, but I stayed calm.  And carried on.  I visited You tube and typed in the title, holding my breath.

This is what it turned out to be:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ccwJbANT1d0

I guess I'm the perv.

I'm smiling.

Smiling over a talented, generous blogger who who makes fantastic signs like this:

and gives them away. I printed up the Thanksgiving one she made, framed it, and put it on my dining room table- it looked fantastic.  I'll be switching it out with this one today. Get yours HERE. 

I'm shopping.

Target has Super Scribblenauts (ds game) for $22 on sale today, and I've got to get a copy for Nathaniel- it's the one thing he really wants for Christmas, and Santa's got to come through.

Also, my friend Jen told me about THIS DEAL for (generic but cute) pillow pets.  $8.05 with free shipping.  You can't beat that.

Peace out.

Sunday Snapshot

Nathaniel finds a starfish

Cabrillo National Monument, Point Loma, Ca.

November 21, 2010

Sunday Snapshot

My next door neighbor, Grant, finds an abandoned recliner and brings it home in style.

Summer 2009

(I laugh every time I see this image) 

Join in the fun.  It's so easy. 

We heart IKEA

...beacuse:

• IKEA is completely kid-friendly.  It's a hands-on, try it out, sit-on-it, lay-on-it, swing-on-it kind of store. 

 

• They have free child care.  You can drop your little ones off at their "Smal land" for up to an hour if you would rather shop in peace.  (There is a height requirement and I think they have have to be potty trained, too)

• If the childcare is full, you can check out a hand-held video game system for your little one's enjoyment. 

• IKEA has everything.  The place is huge. HUGE. I still get lost there. However, it's a happy kind of lost, because there is so much to look at while you figure out where you are.

• Princess cake from their cafe. YUM! This is a small round marzipan cake.  It costs about $1.29, and it tastes like heaven. Someone once told me it's made with rose water. What else can make you feel like a princess more than eating something made from roses?

• The prices are sooo low, it's a bargain hunter's dream.

• I always seem to leave IKEA filled with ideas and inspiration. I love it!

• The last reason we love IKEA is...you can take all the pictures you want without scary security guys threatening to take away your camera.

Sunday Snapshot

Sunday Snapshot

 Nathaniel

At the Salt Flats

October 2010

Be cool like JEN :

This family

This boy:

 just wants to eat.  All.the.time.  And it is beginning to show. He's got the double chin, the little rolls on his thighs, and a loud, healthy cry. If his appetite keeps up, we'll soon be sending him to Hollywood for Stay Puft Marshmallow or Michelin Man auditions.

This older brother:

 is golden.  Just golden. He had a bad dream and came downstairs crying early this morning.  He is such a tender child.  He let me know on the way to school this morning that he's tired of sitting in a booster seat. "When can I sit in a regular seat, Mom?" 
"When you're nine." 

This one: 

 Has lost every privilege she has (TV, video games, friends) with her 'screaming at the top of her lungs' fits.  Luckily bubble baths are not considered a privilege in this house.

Here's to hoping she alters her attitude and earns them back.

 The milkaholic's passed out on the swing in the middle of the afternoon.  




 And this one:

 is making me think maybe-just maybe- he'll turn out to be worth all the grief he's given me.

And now, I'm off to teach this who's boss:

 (it's me, in case you were wondering)