- We went to IKEA this week and it was exhausting! It took us an hour and half, and I swear, it takes an hour just to walk through the place, even if you're not buying anything. But I still wish there was one in Wenatchee...
- Mattie started saying "thank you" to people this week. When we give her food or something she wants she says, "Thanks Mommy" or "Thanks Mama (which is Grandma)", except it sounds more like, "mh Mommy" or "mh Mama."
- Mattie also started saying, "gone"
- Bryce and I went to the temple on Saturday morning because we needed to go, and because we wanted to prepare for our fast the next day. First of all, the first session on a Sat morning is the way to go because there's hardly anybody there. And second of all, I had a harrowing experience...one of my worst nightmares almost came true! I've always wondered what would happen if someone had an emergency during a temple session, what would they do? what would happen? And let me tell you, I came way too close to finding out! As we were sitting in the session, I started to not feel so hot, and before I knew it, I felt my body telling me yelling at me to get to a bathroom quick or there was going to be a HUGE problem (picture Sandra Bullock, Two Weeks Notice). Anyway, as I fought every natural instinct I had, I could feel all the muscles in my body fighting the urge and my hands and forehead beginning to sweat. We were in the middle of something very sacred and all I could do was pray that my body would not give out on me. I happened to be sitting near Bryce, who took one glance at me and knew something was wrong. So, as he later told me, he began to pray for me too. And within seconds, it passed...I felt almost whole again. I was able to make it through the rest of the session...just barely though.
- Our stake here in Bellevue had a Pioneer Day celebration. It was a fun carnival in the parking lot of the stake center. I think we already knew this, but we definitely saw it come through at this carnival: Mattie is the crazy adventurous one, while CJ is the cautious, patient one. There was a big inflatable slide for the kids that was a total hit. CJ went down slide once and then he was done. Mattie, on the other hand, kept wanting to go back for more. Even though it overwhelmed her a bit to go down, she would have the hugest smile on her face after it was over, and after several times down, we had to drag her away. In CJ's defense, he's not a scaredy-cat about everything. There were some goats there and both kids loved feeding them (one more reason why being around JJ is so great). At one point, one of the goats kind of jumped up a bit and CJ was so close it knocked him over. I thought that would scare him off, but nope, he got right back up and shoved more grape leaves in the goat's face. That's my boy!
- I helped Bryce study for the Bar Saturday night. It was nice to finally feel like I was contributing something, but let me tell you, it was so boring! I may need to reconsider my plans of someday attending law school myself...
- My baby turned 3 years old today! I can't believe it's been 3 years since he was born! His life has been a whirlwind for us, from moving to a new state when he was just 3 weeks old so Bryce could start law school, to now having had another baby, graduated from law school, bought our first house, and moved a couple of more times since then. It's craziness!!
- Every birthday - for children and grandchildren - my parents call and sing happy birthday over the phone. When they called the morning of CJ's birthday and started singing to him, he joined right in and sang happy birthday to himself. It was great! And then he woke up from his afternoon nap singing "Happy Birthday" to himself, and went to bed singing "Happy Birthday" to himself. I'd say it was a success.
- Earlier this week, CJ received the package my mom sent him for his birthday. He had so much fun ripping off the brown paper. Then I opened the box to make sure what was in it was wrapped. When I opened the box I saw several wrapped presents - including one for Mattie (so nice) - but there was also confetti, and other little things like play money and a parachuter guy, tissue paper, packing peanuts, etc. So I decided to not pull anything out and let CJ do that himself. Unfortunately, that meant CJ wasn't going to get to open any thing else that day. He was so sad! And I felt terrible. But I put it away anyway...up on a high shelf in the coat closet. And let me tell you, CJ did NOT forget it was there. We've been telling him all week that his birthday was coming up, so we could practice saying how old he will be, and he's remembered that present every time. Everyday he has mentioned getting to open his presents on his birthday, going to Chuckee Cheese, his birthday next week, etc. It's been lots of fun and we're so excited it's finally here! We're celebrating twice this week - a little today, and then more on Thursday, after Bryce finishes the bar. So fun!
Happy Monday!
