So many fun, random things happened this week and I don't even know if I have a picture to go along with any of them. (Guess I found one!) I don't know why Mira's birthday pics got messed up, I'll have to work on that.Last week we watched General Conference in our living room on our computer. We set up a tent and brought our pillows and blankets in. Then we had a bowl of candy to be eaten each time the speaker said a designated word. First we chose "teacher" and "Jesus"--- that got a few candies in the first few talks, then Jeffrey R. Holland, an apostle was speaking and Calvin, wanting another candy, got right in front of the computer, touched it with his finger and told Elder Holland in his little 4 year old voice "say teacher, say teacher." (Alas, Elder Holland didn't hear him) It was quite the game and kept them captivated, especially when one speaker said "teacher" over 30 times! By the afternoon session, when Sean and Mira were napping and Calvin and I were watching, Calvin was repeating whatever the last word or phrase that was said and stated "that is our word" and then dutifully gave himself and me a piece of candy. Needless to say- the bowl was empty by the end of the day.
Last week Calvin spelled his first word! He was looking out our window, he started reading a sign on our lawn. "C-O-O-N"--- it was so funny and ironic that it was Dwight Coon's (a local politician- I may have a future post more about him later) name.
I got to sign to my mom & dad over Skype! Blessed, blessed Skype. My dad had never used it before and I wrote out directions, not knowing if it would work-- lo and behold we miraculously connected just by chance and I tell ya, I was on cloud nine, grinning ear to ear---- I've never quite had the experience of picking up a phone and just talking to my mom and dad. It has always been through an interpreter of some sort. But with Skype, our webcams connected and we could sign back and forth like we were in the same room! Now we're talking 3 times a week! It has been SO fun. Just another blessing of technology.
Some highlights about General Conference- I really like the Prophet's talk about gratitude. The story he shared was about a family who didn't have electricity but scrimped and saved to be able to install lights. One night as the family was sitting to dinner, the children started complaining about the meal on the table. The father, got up, went to the attic and got the old oil lamp they used before the electricity was installed. He turned off all the lights and put the lamp on the table. The whole family was amazed at how they ever saw anything before with this dim light....and they felt more gratitude about all of their blessings. That is how I feel- just grateful, grateful, grateful.
Grateful that the sun shines and we have the seasons change regularly with no help from us.
Grateful that we have comfy beds and a warm home.
Grateful that we are loved and have ones to love.
Grateful that we have laundry to wash, because it means we have clothes to wear.
....and many, many, many, many, many, many more.
I find that when I am grateful- I want less.
We could all benefit from a lot less want and a lot more thanks.
*Mira started saying her name this week: "Mi-a"- it is so cute and squeaky. She is saying a lot of cute things- too many to remember.
*Just to document this part of our lives- she has also entered full blown toddler tantrum phase. There have been moments that I don't know who replaced my sweet widdle girl with this 24 lb, roaring, raging monster....but thankfully it passes... and my girly comes back. I'll just say this- if she doesn't want to get into her carseat, good luck trying her because its surprising how STRONG a 2 year old can be!
* Calvin told our music leader at church today after we sang "Give Said the Little Stream" that his dad sings that at night to him. I felt a warm, proud mommy moment.
* I dyed my hair dark brown! (hence the picture)
(...and if you want to know anything about the respiratory system, including alveoli, oxygen levels and partial pressures- I'm the girl to ask because I've been studying like crazy!- the goal is to get into the Dental Hygiene program, starting Fall 2011 and finishing June 2013- I've given a lot of prayer and thought to this and know it is the right thing, right now, for us. I never thought I'd be in school while my kids are so young...but here we are...going... one step at a time. I've felt the incredible power of Prayer and answers to prayers. And I know it will all work out. {A blessing and a trial together.} Happy prayers to you, whatever they may be.)
