Drives Like a Man, Screams Like a Girl

Weston has a fascination and love for all things with wheels - especially cars and trucks. So whenever Grandma allows him to "drive," he is pretty much on top of the world. ("Driving" entails sitting in the drivers seat while the car is parked in the garage, pushing buttons and playing with the steering wheel.)

The other day I went to snap a few shots of this favorite past-time:

Backing up, carefully of course:Adjusting the air:Utter bliss: Then, later that day, I heard a blood-curdling scream. I had just stepped out of the bathroom (where Weston was taking a bath) for a micro-second to grab a towel. Alarmed, I rushed to the edge of the bath to see what was causing such intense distress: Sometimes pincher bugs get in the bath, so I thought maybe he had been pinched. Nope, no pincher bugs in sight. What could it be? He had inched himself over to one little corner of the bath where he was leaning away from something that had to be absolutely horrifying.

Of course! I finally discovered the culprit:

What do you mean you don't see anything? There, above, is a little black dot. An ant to be exact. Yes, my son screamed like a girl on fire over an ant.

At least he still likes to wrestle, smash things, and flirt with all the little girls in nursery. Otherwise I might be a little worried!

(Not really)

Blessed Reminder

I love this quote by President Ezra Taft Benson. I have heard it many times, and suspect that many of you have too. Just today I was feeling weighed down and burdened when I came across these words once again:
"Men and women who turn their lives over to God will discover that He can make a lot more out of their lives than they can. He will deepen their joys, expand their vision, quicken their minds, strengthen their muscles, lift their spirits, multiply their blessings, increase their opportunities, comfort their souls, raise up friends, and pour out peace."
I started to think about what it means to "turn your life over to God," since clearly this is a life-long process. I suppose there are certain times when we do it more fully, generally out of dire necessity when we feel like our life just may fall apart. (Who was it who said that God uses pain to bring men to him? There is definitely some truth to that!)
At any rate, as I was contemplating, I realized that there was one more sentence at the end of President Benson's quote, taken from a verse in Matthew: "Whoever will lose his life in the service of God will find eternal life."
So I started thinking that it is really not possible to turn our lives over to God without losing ourselves in His service. That seemed so much more clear cut as a missionary! Sometimes I need a healthy dose of perspective to remind myself that feeding, loving, chasing, cleaning, disciplining (and thus teaching) a child is most definitely service to God... but when frustrated and consumed with worry, joy flies out the window - and so does service to God. Right?
The point is, turning our lives over to God entails so much more than our actions; it implies an attitude of love, a willingness to change and to let go... allowing the Lord to shoulder our burdens while we honestly strive to be more like Him. I've noticed that when I try to do everything on my own (usually not a conscious decision), life starts to stink pretty quickly. I am grateful for the reminder today of how sweet life can be when we truly do "turn our lives over to God."

Infectious Laugh

There is something so irresistable about baby giggles! Even though Weston isn't really a baby anymore, I still find great satisfaction and enjoyment in his sweet laughter...

While this video is mostly for the grandparents who don't have the opportunity to see Weston very often, I'm certain it will make the rest of you smile too!

Question

What do my contacts, toothbrush, deodorant, Jason's hair wax, a couple of pens and yesterday's mail all have in common?

They were all taking a swim in my toilet bowl this morning, compliments of Weston.

I was too upset to take any pictures, but I have a feeling I looked something like this (except without the freshly done make-up and hair... oh, and in color):

Weston, per usual, had that innocent, 'I would never do anything to disrupt my dear sweet mother's life because I am a perfect child and can do no wrong' look:Needless to say, I was not amused.

What a sucker...

I am for thinking when I woke up this morning that the sucker in Weston's hand was the only one he had opened up...
You see, Jason left around 6:30 this morning, and I think my mom left even earlier than that - which means that when Weston woke up there was no one in the house to supervise him. Usually I hear him and wake up too, but apparently exhaustion overtook me today. All I know is that at 8:00 I heard the phone ring, opened my eyes, and there was Weston - snuggling up next to me, sucker in hand. Not just any sucker, mind you, a chocolate See's sucker. I bought an entire box of them recently as a treat to give primary teachers when they have a birthday.
I wasn't thrilled, but thought it was kind of cute... until I saw this:I'm still not sure what happened to the rest of them - there were originally 15 - but I have a feeling I will find them in strange places when I least expect it. (You know, like in the cat food or under a couch cushion.) Too bad those darn things are so pricey... oh well, the money wasted just may have been worth the extra hour sleep. I feel better today than I have all week! Besides, I got this priceless picture out of the ordeal:

Interview

Tag- I'm IT!
I've been tagged by my friend Shannon, an indie clothes designer with a lovely blog that you should definately visit (especially if you have a little girl!). This game of tag entails a mini-interview of myself... and since I just know you are all longing to know more about yours truly, here goes:

What is your current obsession?
At the moment I guess I am obsessed with natural childbirth. I mean, I am always a fan, but I am urgently compelled at the moment to refresh my mind on this stuff since I will be giving birth soon! Information is what I need... and unfortunately I packed all my childbirth books so they are currently in storage (hello pregnancy brain!), which is fueling my obsession even more.
Oh, and ice cream is the other obsession. I'm telling you, it's the calcium my body is craving - I just know it!
What are you wearing today?
Cute green shorts and a pretty pink top. (glad I'm doing this survey today and not yesterday! I may have been tempted to fib...)
What's for dinner?
Pasta with pesto and steamed swiss chard. Nothing fancy since Jason wasn't hungry tonight. (Yeah, I don't feel very sorry for him... he wasn't hungry because he went to a late business lunch at Mon Ami Gabi this afternoon!)
What would you eat for your last meal?
Whatever I was craving... but I can tell you this - it would be food from Switzerland or Italy. I have never tasted more amazing food anywhere else in the world. Something about the quality and flavor of it all just blows your mind (and your tastebuds).
What's the last thing you bought?
You mean besides food? Hmmm...oh yes. Diapers. Not very exciting, is it.
What are you listening to right now?
The radio over the intercom... but I swear all I hear are commercials. Especially that Glenn Lerner one. They keep playing it over and over again!
What is your favorite ice-cream flavor?
This question just isn't right... it's like asking which of your children do you love the most! All I know is that the ice cream has got to be high quality. I hate cheap dessert. Breyers all natural is my favorite (besides homemade).
What do you think of the person who tagged you?
She is one of the most all around beautiful people I know! Besides, pretty much every worthwhile memory I have from high school involves Shannon. I still tell people stories of silly things we did - and I laugh out loud every time!
If you could have a house totally paid for, fully furnished anywhere in the world, where would you like it to be?
I wish I knew exactly... I hope to settle down somewhere that is lush and beautiful with some land for my kids to run around and play, where the people are neither ultra-liberal (Oregon is out) nor hick (can't handle the back woodsie mentality), and with a climate that rarely gets above 100 degrees - or below 40 :) Is that too much to ask for?
If you could go anywhere in the world for the next hour, where would you go?
I don't even care where in the world it's located, I would just want to go to a spa somewhere where I could get a massage, a pedicure, facial, and soak in a pool! I'd prefer to be there for longer than an hour, and to be shamelessly spoiled for the duration!
Which language do you want to learn?
It would be awesome to learn so many languages. Italian would be fun... as long as it didn't mess up my Spanish!
Oh, and sign language too - at least the basics.
What's your favorite quote (for now)?
For today, I have two...
Quote #1 "A lie can make its way all around the world before the truth even has a chance to get its pants on." Winston Churchill said this, and I just think it is pretty darn funny!
Quote #2 "Nearly all men can stand adversity, but if you want to test a man's character, give him power." ~Abraham Lincoln
What is your favorite color?
Are you serious? I have to pick just one? Come on now, you should know me better than that! At the moment it would be a tie between lavendar and sage green.
What is your favorite piece of clothing in your own wardrobe?
I don't really have one favorite piece. But I love, love, love my skirts. If it were up to me, I would wear a skirt every day.
What is your dream job?
You mean besides being a mom? Educating people about freedom - especially young people. I would love to travel around the country and teach as many people as possible! I would also love to teach constitutional law or be a writer/speaker for a political think tank.
If you could go anywhere on a long vacation, where would you go?
Either Italy or the Caribbean... tough choice!
If you had $100 now, what would you spend it on?
A gorgeous pot for my favorite indoor plant, whose official name is "jungle plant." Every one of our plants has a name. Sally needs a new pot too, but I hesitate to buy her one because the one she is in is so pretty!
Who is one historical figure you would love to meet?
George Washington
Describe your personal style?
Feminine, curvacious, soft, classic
What are you going to do after this?
That depends if Glenn Beck is still on...
What are your favourite movies?
While You Were Sleeping, Forest Gump, You've Got Mail, Star Wars (all 6)
What's your favorite fruit?
Strawberries and chocolate. Oh wait, is chocolate not a fruit?
What inspires you?
Freedom, learning, courageous people, beauty, motherhood
Are you a home body or do you prefer to be out?
Totally depends... I am a very social creature, but sometimes all I want to do is cuddle on the couch with my little family and watch a movie!
Polka Dots or checks?
Polka Dots
What are 3 jobs you've had in your life?
Disneyland employee (sooooooooooo much fun!), Teacher at the MTC, and Substitute Teacher for the CCSD.
What is your favorite term of endearment?
Babydoll

I tag: Julie, Angie, Amy, Courtnie, Lynette, Cami, Megan, and Lauren.
The rules :1. Respond and rework; answer the questions on your blog, replace one question that you dislike with a question of your invention, add more one question of your own.
2. Tag eight other people.

The Good Times Just Keep On Rollin'

Where do I begin?

I know I had some ideas for a brilliant blog post this morning, but after chasing Weston around the backyard, cleaning him up, and putting him in his room - where he is currently whining for me to let him out - I'm feeling pooped both physically and mentally.

It is amazing how much more energy it takes to do simple tasks when you're lugging around a huge belly, and when your body is working so hard to grow the baby! I tell my husband on a regular basis that although I still seem like wonderwoman (ha ha ha), he shouldn't expect as much from me because with all the work my body is doing, it's pretty much like I'm climbing a mountain for 9 months! Pretty good, huh? I read the comparison in a pregnancy book once, and have to admit that I may possibly be guilty of quoting it just a few too many times. :)

Truth be told, I have not been getting enough rest (which doesn't help) - and this heat is killer!! However, this last week (Wednesday the 3rd) was my birthday, and I must acknowledge the amazing blessing that befell the valley - a blessing that couldn't possibly have been a coincidence... markedly cooler, even delightful weather for a few days!

Now I'm back to roasting again, and thought I had better post some things before I get dangerously behind. While the good times do keep rollin' - as the title of this post suggests - Jason and I have been extremely busy. Here is some of what we (and when I say "we," I mostly mean Weston) have been up to:

Eating raw onion... don't ask me why, but Weston likes raw onion (and frozen asparagus too). We were making an omelette, and when we put the remaining onions in the pan, he started crying! How rude of us to take away his Saturday morning raw onion snack. Seriously, what kind of parents are we?Talking on the phone... nothing new there. He makes quite a variety of facial expressions while chatting it up. It's really pretty amusing!Riding his Harley around the backyard and playing with/torturing grandma's dogs:Speaking of dogs, my mom recently got a new black lab named Leon, who is sweet and very well trained. Weston loves him too...Shae-Leigh came to visit over Memorial Day weekend, and everyone had fun giving Leon a bath - although I think Leon enjoyed it best of all.
When Leon was all clean, Weston gave him a big kiss. Weston loves to give kisses. It kind of grossed me out at first the way he kept kissing the dogs. But then I thought about all the many things kids do to get germy, and realized that this was one battle not worth picking! Choosing his own clothes... Weston has become very insistent about what he wants to wear, and unless we're going to church and he wants to wear shorts, I pretty much let him choose. For some reason, the kid really loves sweaters. For this very reason, I had gathered up all his winter clothes to be stored so that he would stop wanting to wear them! Well, he found the pile of winter clothes, grabbed what is possibly the warmest sweater he has, and pestered grandma until she put it on! (Did I mention he was wearing a long sleeved shirt underneath?) Then he ran and played outside in the 95 degree heat like that!

What a nut. (In case you are wondering, I did make sure at least that he drank as much water as possible!)Weston's life pretty much revolves around playing in the back yard as much as possible... it makes me wonder how I will survive without it! He is so much more content and occupied than he used to be... which frees me up to get more done. (Although it also provides many more opportunities for mischief!) Sometimes Weston just plays and plays until he is so pooped that he can barely stand up:I look forward to the day when Weston can take piano lessons... he just LOVES the piano! (Like his mommy)And for those of you who didn't feel sorry for me at all the last time I posted a picture of my pregnant self (not to mention any names - Angie :), I will have you know that I have now entered the phase of uncomfortable largeness... even Jason (who usually gets excited with me about new clothes purchases) told me that he just couldn't get thrilled about the new pregnant "frock" I brought home the other day. I think my massive stomach is interfering with his ability to appreciate my excellent fashion sense! Maybe I should throw in the towel and just wear moo moos for the next two months.

Nah. I did manage to find a pretty cute swimsuit. If all else fails, I'll just wear that!!