Funny kid

Yesterday I snapped at Gav a little because I wanted to be alone in my room during "quiet time." When do I get to be alone? I wondered in my sassy I-just-need-a-little-break voice. He's been seriously struggling with napping and I have accepted the fact that he isn't going to nap every day. Maybe twice a week. But he has been doing okay at staying in his room and being fairly quiet while McKay is sleeping. Gavin's been lonely for 'snuggle friends.' I sent him back to play with his legos - or something. Anything! About ten minutes later I called him in to snuggle on my bed and watch a show with me. He laid his head on my tummy and said, "Mom? Are you sorry?" At first I was deciding whether or not I should be offended but quickly realized that he was right. And yes, I was sorry. These kids keep me in check, I tell ya. Serves me right, I guess. Gosh, I have a lot to learn.

Today when I praised him for going to the bathroom on his own (which he does regularly now) he said, "Thanks. I was in my office." Guess that's where the business gets done. :) Later he came in and informed me that he and McKay were playing Laman and Lemuel. I asked him if he'd rather play Nephi and Sam instead. He told me I could be Nephi and "you have the power of God." Then he asked if I would play Jesus. I told him we don't pretend to be Jesus and when he knew for certain I wasn't going to do it, he said, "Okay...do you want to be a dolphin?" I'm not sure how Jesus and dolphins are so quickly interchangeable, but it made me laugh.

We had a lovely Valentine's meal with our little family tonight. Jello pudding jigglers were a hit. The boys could have eaten those alone and it would have been a success. Guess I should spend a little less energy trying to make things nice and well-balanced.

February

It's snowed once this winter. It's so odd - but I actually quite like it. The only downside is that we haven't been able to use the new sled Santa brought us. I'm sure it will come...I'm slightly nervous that the hold up is going to come back and bite us all in the butt.

Things have been good around here. Usually low-key, stress-free weeks mixed in with occasional busy back-and-forth days as well. The busy days keep us interested while the at-home days keep us grounded. I am continually working on that balance of wife/mother/homemaker and of course, some days are better than others.

McKay is so fun lately. I've always loved him but I'm starting to really enjoy him. He is talking and babbling and all over the place. I am one of the few who can decipher his language, but he's got things to say, alright. He is busy busy busy. A monkey for sure. He is climbing up on every piece of furniture we own. Can get up on my bed and in his crib. Luckily, not out of the crib! He puts on my makeup and is up to all sorts of mischief. But I love that little boy.

Gavin has been a bit of a stinker lately. He is certainly asserting his independence and wanting his voice to be heard. He yells "NO!" to us often and is giving lots of sass. The bright side is that our sweet boy is still in there and it's always fun to visit or snuggle him when that Gavin shows up instead.

Brian is so busy working his two jobs - Summit and his internship for counseling - that we feel lucky whenever we have a chance to see him. Pretty much Monday and Friday nights and Saturday. The boys always wonder why he's leaving yet again. But even then, sadly, they are used to him not being home. That makes his presence all the more special.

What else? Exercise and green smoothies are my activities lately and I sure wish I had something to show for all of this effort I'm putting in... Always other things to fix, dangit.

Open Again

I made the blog private for a few weeks because I was trying to figure out how and where to write other stuff that mattered to me that I didn't want so public. I've got it all worked out... My own private journal on my computer and my blog here to share pictures and stories and whatever else I feel like for the few friends who are interested in looking. Sometimes I get a little distracted knowing that other people read this, but know that in the end it is for me and my family.

Here's to keeping record in 2012!

Cabin Fever

We've been inside for the past few weeks. A few reasons, really. Mostly I'm working on dejunking the house. This takes lots of time, especially when I have cute little helpers. The kitchen alone has taken two weeks. Also, I find that I spend less money when I'm at home and not out on the town.

I was laughing so hard tonight we couldn't even finish prayers. Gavin said, "Thank you that men will be punished for their own sins." Followed by "Help that we will have transgression." Oh my. Articles of Faith gone bad.

Scriptures

Church today was awesome. I'm getting a new plan for scripture reading, which is one of my major renovations of myself for 2012. I really want it to be a habit. I learned more about the first five chapters of 1 Nephi in 40 minutes than I have in my life. That's what I need - people to talk about it with me and show me different perspectives and connect it to my life. I'm going to start a scripture journal and spend time doing that every day. Studying the scriptures is not a new concept, but I think I have found a way that speaks to me. Check out the scripture study tips on www.redheadedhostess.com for some awesome ideas.

Another new plan is telling Gavin scripture stories at night instead of made up ones. I heard that last week in Sunday School and it stood out to me. "The world can teach him the fairytales. I will teach him the scriptures." He fell asleep on our bed because he was so tired from a long church day with no nap. He jumped up and wanted to grab "his book" (the picture Book of Mormon) so I could tell him a story. I love that he is interested and already invested. Reading it to him in his language is helping me out too. Why didn't I buy the three-year-old version years ago? :) I feel embarrassed to admit how not smart I am at the scriptures...but it's time to stop hiding. I want to know the stories. I want to know the people. I want to find connections with my life. This year, I will find something from the scriptures to add to my life. I will find something in the scriptures that I learn I need to subtract from my life. I will find something that I can multiply and learn more about as well as divide and share with others.

Jump on it

Our final hurrah before Brian had to go back to work. The boys loved it. They got bounced. They were sweaty. I wet my pants a little - but that's nothing new.

It did not take long to realize that Brian and I are much too old for this kind of thing. Trying to relive my back-flipping glory days were hard on the back. But so worth it. Totally going back!

Landmarks

Look who can write his name!
And build tracks (with Dad's help)
And take pictures
That's one big boy.