This morning we drove to the Conference Center in Salt Lake to see our dear Prophet. We cried and blew him kisses and felt renewed. As we walked out of the Hall of the Prophets into the main Conference Hall, the great organ played "I Know That My Redeemer Lives." It was one of those moments where heaven seems very real and very close. We'll be grateful for that experience forever.

The boys in this family are strange.

Jamie, looking at me: "You're so pretty. In a real Patrick Dempsey kind of way."

(After I laughed for 5 minutes straight, he admitted he had no idea who Patrick Dempsey was.)

Then, later:

Milo: "Hi candles! Hiiiiii! Hi candles!"

(Randomly waving to the candles on the kitchen counter.)



What funny boys.

We thank thee O God for a Prophet

I developed my testimony in many ways through President Hinckley, because I could never doubt for one second his relationship with Christ. He knew Him. We are happy right now thinking about his reception in heaven.

every jot and tittle

I can't stop thinking about the etsy shop Every Jot and Tittle. Their little tags are so cute. I am wishing I could buy some right this minute. It might have something to do with this Pottery Barn room (i want it i want it i want it). See all of the little letterpressed accents? Love them.

I make a mean rice cereal

Pearl ate her first solid meal today. Rice cereal. She gobbled it up like I gobble up Dove Promises. I wish I could get that excited about rice cereal. Milo wanted a bite. Then he made a face like, "Nasty!" which he is prone to say these days, especially when I am changing a diaper. Pearl has a strong desire to crawl. She smothers her face into the carpet and kicks. It actually works for a few inches! It's exciting that she is reaching all of these milestones, but I am reluctant for her to grow up. Good thing I don't have a choice.


Milo was feeling left out with all the pictures I was taking of Pearl, so he said, "Take picture, Mom. Cheeeeese!" But then he never holds the smile long enough for the camera to catch it. My favorite thing about Milo lately is that when we go outside at night he immediately looks up at the sky, locates the moon, points, and says, "Papa, please get the moon for me," or "The moon glows!" in a hushed, reverential tone. (Phrases from two of his favorite books.) We think the moon is pretty special around here.

By the way, I need help. What do I do with Milo's hair? I think he is such a handsome boy but his hair needs help. It is rather Gollum-like. (Think thin and wispy.) I cannot bear the thought of buzzing it, so don't suggest that. Do I need to buy my two-year-old some volumizing salon products? Because I don't even buy those for myself. If he starts saying, "Precioussssss," the clippers are coming out, though.

pearly whirls

Pearl turned 6 months old today. I can't believe I ever lived without this little girl.

Lookin sassy

and sweet.

I think some glowing comments about how cute our baby girl is and was are in order. Proceed.

2008: The Year of No Pacifiers

It's true. Neither of my kids cares a lick about their pacifiers. This may be my proudest moment as a mother. I don't know how many hours of my life have been wasted away in search of those little things. Never again. (Well maybe with the next baby...not any time soon.)

Now, let's just hope 2008 is also The Year of a Full Night's Sleep.

I miss Arizona.

(Ryan, if we aren't friends after this, you still always have to be my brother.)

sick

Does Pearl look a little flustered to you? She started getting spots all over her body this weekend. On Sunday it was really bad so we took her to Urgent Care. The doctor wasn't 100% sure, but he thought it was an allergic reaction to the antibiotics she was taking for an ear infection. Not measles or roseola or something like that. So she's on steroids and allergy medicine. No improvement yet, though, so I'm a little skeptical. If any brilliant doctor** (or mother for that matter) would like to give me their diagnosis, please do.


**Are brilliant doctors reading my blog? Probably not, but they should be.

rick steves

The best thing about Saturdays is the travel shows. Rick Steves is a personal favorite. (Did you know that he is about as liberal as they come? I would never have guessed it.) I watched Rick tromp through Baden Baden and other parts of Germany this morning while Jamie and I did some yoga. Rick Steves + yoga= very near zen. In case you were wondering if Jamie has gone granola, he needed an easy one-credit class and yoga was the ticket. He actually really likes it and it helps his back. Emily and I signed up for a yoga class that starts later this month. Anyone else interested?

Jamie this morning, wearing his puffy jacket: "Do I look like a yoga master?"
Me: "Yes."


Anyway, here's to wishing I was in Europe...
(Mom, I posted the bull picture for you. Remember? Of course you do.)

hair

I like this photo because it gives the illusion of hair to Pearl's bald little pate. Lookin' good sugar!

(Disclaimer: The floor looks really dirty, but I swear I just vacuumed that day. Turquoise carpet hides very little. I could go on and on about turquoise carpet... I keep waiting for the day when I open my Domino magazine and read that Jonathon Adler just installed turquoise carpet in his Manhattan loft. You know, like it's sooooo ugly that it's cool. Still waiting...)

I want this and I actually have a little bit of Christmas money to spend on a clothing item, but it is not available until April. April? Do I wait?

Also like:



Please vote. (Although the Christmas money probably should {and will} go toward the gas bill.)

a study in blurry

don't like

carl's jr. commercials
viruses that invade my children's bodies
money
watching american idol by myself
being sooo tired in the morning and then being so awake right now when I really want to go to bed

See Milo turn 2

See Milo.


See Milo have a birthday party with all of his Utah family. See Milo share his party with his cousin/bff Ezra.



See Ezra kiss Milo.



See Milo get a lot of really great gifts. Look, Milo! A special Milo/Wonder Pets cape made by Aunt Amy! What a clever gift!



See Milo don the cape with no clothes on.



Go Milo go!

family search

I am addicted to this. It's really fun and productive. And anyone can do it. Sign up.

I've been ignoring my kids a little bit in favor of this. Somehow I don't think that's what the Church had in mind.

Went to the doctor today.

I don't have strep. Kind of wish I did. It's like I'm living the pain without any of the validation.

you're a wizard, harry

Update on the kids:


Pearl will be 6 months at the end of January. She continues to be the smiliest baby that ever lived. Sometimes we catch her smiling at the wall. She's started babbling and is all about the "b" sounds and blowing air through her lips. Pearl and Milo have started entertaining each other and laughing with each other a lot. I love it. She is the sunshine in all of our lives.

Milo turned two last week. We sang the "Happy Birthday" song to him all day, and he was very pleased, pretending to blow out the candles every time. Then he had a donut "cake" for the real deal. Milo's favorite things are: basketball, cousins, basketball, candy, Daddy, basketball, reading, and TV. He makes us laugh every day. Favorite phrases: "Silly Mommy!" "What's gonna work? Teamwork!" "Hi Pearl! You wake up?" "I shoot basketball!" (We regret the day that we must inform him that, because of his genes, basketball isn't in his future.)

Brighton ain't so bright

We went snowboarding at Brighton on Friday night with friends Matt and Tim. This was probably my sixth time snowboarding. At times I have thought I could really get into it and get good, but Friday night made these realities apparent:

I am not good.
I am never going to be good.
I hate being cold.

I guess it didn't help that the Great Blizzard of '08 was upon us that night, and huge gusts of snow and wind rocked our lift back and forth. So basically, I am in favor of the other board sports: surfing, skateboarding. Although, I don't think I'm going to be busting out ollies any time soon. The guys had a lot of fun, so call me Nellie Negative.




Also, Jamie has bronchitis and strep and Milo has two ear infections, so please feel sorry for us. Thank you.

2

Happy Birthday Milo!

You are everything we could ever want in a little boy.

resolute

scriptures every day
make bed every day
take a class
start learning a language
exercise (i won't quantify, because i can only increase if you know what i mean)
get dressed and wear makeup every day (as i type I realize how sad that sounds, but it is nevertheless a real goal)
be more patient with Milo
make everything in my life beautiful
nurse Pearl until she turns 1
sit up straighter
listen more

What are your resolutions?