We don’t have a lot of dress up clothes in our house – boys just don’t get into that the same way. But we do have a few pretend time things. Here’s my own personal builders, just like Bob.
30 Jan 2008
28 Jan 2008
President Hinckley passes away.
One of the kindest and most generous and inspirational men in the world passed away this weekend. He was the President of my church, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. He was a living prophet and truly a spiritual giant. He gave service to everyone around him his entire life. He always encouraged people to be better and lived that example every day. He missed his wife terribly, who passed away a few years ago, so I’m sure he is happy to be reunited with her. I heard a few people trying to decide who he would see first in heaven – Jesus Christ or his wife.
I had the pleasure of seeing him in person a couple of times several years ago during the many events surrounding the LDS Newport Beach Temple dedication. You could feel his spirit and strength just by being anywhere in proximity to him. His spirit, humor, service and guidance will be missed. I only hope I can turn out to be half the person he was.
22 Jan 2008
A birthday weekend.
What a busy weekend we had. We went to St. George to celebrate Grandma Pearson’s 90th birthday at her daughter Sue’s house. We had a great time visiting all the aunts, uncles, cousins and family, but it sure was tiring. We picked up my sister-in-law Jamie (who came by herself because my brother-in-law was gone for the weekend visiting his daugher in North Carolina) and left Friday night to drive to my mom’s house to sleep (and you know how bad the 91 East is on a Friday afternoon!!). Then we drove to St. George Saturday for the party. Of course, we remembered the time change halfway there so we were a few minutes late – good thing we left early on Saturday morning. We spent the night in St. George, drove back and got home Sunday night. Thank goodness aunt Jamie was with us to help entertain the boys. They were really good for being in the car so much, but kids can only take so much.
Grandma Pearson playing peak-a-boo with Evan.
Grandma Pearson and her 5 children (do they look like siblings, or is it just me?)
Grandma Pearson only got to visit for a few hours before she got tired and was taken back to the assisted living facility. So to fill the time, Jamie, I and the “girls” made a trip to Tai Pan, one of the fun decorating stores I hear so much about from friends and family in Utah. We both got a few cute things (thanks Carol!!) that I’m sure our husbands will just love. Jonny and Evan went 4-wheeling out in the desert with the “guys.” Evan said he had fun and it was his favorite part of the trip. Seth loved playing with the other little kids in Sue’s toy room.
Evan and cousin Raymon on the ATV.
I think we spent more time in the car than out of the car, but it was great to see family and catch up. And of course, it was wonderful to see Grandma Pearson. She doesn’t travel to California much, so we don’t get to see her very often.
12 Jan 2008
Happy Birthday Seth!
I can’t believe my baby is 2. How the time flies. He is such an adorable kid. He loves to run around, climb on anything and do whatever his brother is doing. He’s also a bit of a mamma’s boy, and comes running to me any time he gets upset or hurt (or even happy). He has a great laugh and likes to laugh at anything other people are laughing at, even though he has not idea why. He loves his Papa and can’t wait to visit him as much as he can. I snapped a picture of him with his tongue out, which he does constantly. Jonny comments that he’s going to bite it off someday if he doesn’t stop running around with it out. And he thinks it’s funny to lick you, so beware if you have a short sleeved shirt on – he might come and lick your arm. He likes to sing (and sings the “Snowman” song all the time) so he and his brother try to outsing each other in the car. It can get pretty loud in there. And he’s a great athlete. He can throw, make baskets, drop kick a soccer ball and play a little golf. And when he sees a sporting event on TV, he says, “**insert sport here**! Yae, **insert sport here**, so it goes something like: Football, Yae football! He recognizes baseball, football, basketball and soccer. Athletic scholarship, anyone?
8 Jan 2008
Elephants need La Leche League too.
I came across this article in our monthly email from the San Diego Zoo and Wild Animal Park. I guess breastfeeding issues affect all types of mammals. Too bad they don’t have LLL for elephants, because there are a lot of things to do to increase milk supply before resorting to formula. As a La Leche League Leader, I help moms with all kinds of questions and problems that may come up. So if nursing is your goal and you are having problems or just have some questions you want answered, contact your local LLL group and they can help you out (or you can always contact me too).
Keepers recently noticed the female calf, born Nov. 28, losing weight, body condition, and vitality. Although the calf appeared to be nursing properly and regularly from her mother, Lungile, the calf was not gaining weight as she should. Animal care staff needed to act quickly to ensure the calf’s survival.
On Dec. 24, 2007, the calf was successfully isolated and keepers began training the calf to nurse from a bottle. By Dec. 25 the calf drank 3,000 milliliters of milk formula. On the 26th, the calf drank more than 6,000 milliliters. Her health condition appears to be improving.
Optimally, at her current weight, the calf should be receiving approximately 10,000 milliliters of milk daily. The ultimate goal for animal care staff is to return the calf to her mother for care and nurturing, while the keepers supplement the calf’s natural nursing with daily bottle-feeding behind-the-scenes to ensure she receives the proper percentage of milk and necessary nutrients. However, currently the calf will remain under full-time keeper care until her health has significantly improved.
Lungile has been monitored since she gave birth, and remains under daily veterinary observation to ensure her health stays optimal. Animal care and veterinary staff are unsure why she is not producing enough milk to sustain her calf.
7 Jan 2008
I’m healed!
The huge bruise on my hip is finally gone. There is still the slightest shadow where it was, but all the funky discoloration is gone. Yae! It took a long time to heal. And it changed color so many times I could hardly keep up. Purple, green, black, blue, yellow…But I’m finally whole again. Let’s hope that doesn’t happen again in 2008.
6 Jan 2008
My big Sunbeam.
Evan had his first Sunbeam class today. He’s getting to be such a big kid. Jonny and I have been talking to him about it for several weeks, and Evan has been telling me he didn’t want to be a Sunbeam. He said he was scared, that he just wanted to go to nursery and play with toys, and he was upset he wouldn’t have snacks anymore. I reminded him that when he first went to nursery he didn’t want to go there either, but then he learned to really like it. So when I took him to his class, he was still a little aprehensive. But at the end of church, he said he had a great time in Sunbeams and was happy to go. He really enjoyed class time and singing time.
He looked so cute for his big day today that I just had to snap a picture and tell the backstory. After we had all gotten dressed this morning, Evan found one of Jonny’s ties lying around and asked daddy if he could play with it. Jonny asked Evan if he wanted to wear it and Evan said yes. So Jonny tied it on and Evan asked to wear it to church. Since it was his first day in the big Primary room as a Sunbeam, we let him. He didn’t match, but he looked so adorable, who could resist? And then to complete the look, he found Jonny’s shoes and was walking around in them. What a cuite!
4 Jan 2008
Election 2008 begins…
…and let me say that truthfully, I am so sick of it already. It has already been months that we have been deluged with replays of policital ads being aired in other states, commentary about all 50 candidates (well, it seems like there are that many at least), and all the debates, pros and cons on each of the candidates and all the other worhtless nonsense about them. I mean really, what does the way Hiliary laughs have to do with what kind of job she would do as President?
I take my role in government seriously. I vote in every election. But come on already, do I have to hear about them all day, every day. And how can you make a choice with so many of them out there? I have absolutely no idea who I’m going to vote for next month. I can’t figure out who stands for what. I admit, I’m a lifelong democrat. But I’m also fiscally conservative with some libertarian government should mind their own business views. So which one shares my philosophy?
I guess it will be a long year as we sort out all the candidates and try to pull out the truth from the political spinning. I wish all of us good luck.
And as a sidenote, why do we care how Iowa votes? Yes, they are first to vote, but so what? We had 12 million Californians vote in the last primary. They had 100,000 turn out in the 2004 caucus. And yes, they had a record turnout earlier this week with probably 300,000 people turn out. But what percentage of the total state population is that? Not much. Call me on Super Tuesday when we have millions of people voting, and then maybe we can figure out what the vote means.
3 Jan 2008
My funny Evan.
Here are some funny things Evan has done and said lately. I swear, these are quotes and I’m not making this stuff up. I certainly can’t say I’m not entertained on a daily basis.
While riding in the car, Seth was gazing out the window watching the other cars on the freeway. Evan says, “Seth…..Seth….Hey Seth, watch!” Seth just keeps looking out the window. So Evan goes on, “But I’m doing something funny.”
After picking up the boys from grandma’s house, Evan was ripping apart a flower he had taken from grandma’s front yard. When I asked him why he was doing it, he replied, “That’s what boys that are 3 do.”
Evan is sitting on the couch and tells me, “We need new toys.” I reply, “You have plenty of toys.” So Evan responds, “We need to buy more toys because they sell them.”
I’m sitting on the couch with Evan and Seth and Evan looks up at me and says, “Mommy, can you smell my farts?” Oh, how I love to be surrounded by boys.
