February and March funnies

Feb 4--My sweet sisters-in-law, Laura and Aup, and my friend, Jody, were planning a baby shower for me and I said something about that to Ryn. With a confused look on her face, she asked, "But how do they get the water in your tummy?"

Feb 23--Eden was looking at a page in our illustrated scriptures that had pictures of all the latter-day prophets from Joseph Smith through Gordon B. Hinckley. I was totally surprised when she asked, "Where's President Monson?" She knew he wasn't there! Then she started playing a game with me, "Is that President Monson?" she would ask smiling and pointing to one of the past prophets. "Noooooo!" she'd answer herself, laughing.

Feb 24--Ryn needed some help wrapping things up in the bathroom and called for Kevin. He was busy, so I went instead. She protested, "I wanted Dad to do it because it's his birthday!" Happy birthday, hon :)

Feb 27--The girls couldn't get enough of our new baby and were watching his every move. Darren had the hiccups and Ryn exclaimed, "He's a chirper! Cause when he hiccups he chirps like a bird!" Later, he had his eyes open and head turned in Elle's direction and she cried, "Mom! He's checking me out!"

March 1--Elle had tied a rope to a kitchen chair and was holding it out straight a few inches above the ground. "Mom, can you come over here? You're going to trip over this and fall," she instructed. Somehow she thought I would be as thrilled as she was about that idea....:)

March 3--Elle picked up her sandwich and said, "It looks like bread and smells like bread....I think it is bread!"

March 5--After Ryn's soccer games they put their hands together in the middle of the circle to cheer for the other team. Ryn was trying to explain this to Elle..."we put our hands in the middle..." Elle broke in, "Oh! Like the Hokey Posey!" Ryn corrected her, "No, Elle, it's the Hokey Polly."

March 7--Eden sometimes dubs herself the resident bully. "I take this socky (sock) and I kill you!"

March 8--I suggested something fun for that day and Ryn was so excited. "Can we do that ?!!!" When I reassured her that we could, she said, "Don't forget to remember that." I guess I need to work on following through with things :).

March 13--We enjoyed going to our friend's missionary farewell and then over to their house after church, along with about 100 other well-wishers. We're always spoiled by the Lehnardts and love having them all to ourselves when we go to visit so Elle was pretty disappointed to have to share them with anyone else. She actually cried. "I don't like it when other people are here!"

March 21--Ryn and Elle were talking about the Tooth Fairy, discussing the kinds of things she probably likes to eat, etc. Then they stopped themselves, "What about the Tooth MOUSE? She's the Tooth Fairy's pet...." and they were off again. It is so beyond fun to listen to their imaginations in full swing.

March 22--I talked to my 94 year old Grandma Turtle on the phone and when we were talking about Darren she said, "Kiss his big feet for me." I just thought he might like to know what his great grandmother said about him one day :).

March 28--After Elle had done a string of mean things to Ryn, I warned her that she needed to shape up or no one would want to play with her. A few minutes later, we were talking about seeing our cousins that weekend and Ryn optimistically pointed out to Elle, "Your cousins will still play with you because they don't know all the bad things you did yet." Thank goodness for a fresh start!

That night at bedtime, Eden bit through the end of her pacifier. "It's bo-ken! (sad face)..... Don't worry, I fix it! (happy face)" I told her that we couldn't fix it--we'd just have to get a new one, but then she thought and said, "Jesus fix it!"

March 29--I was filling up the bathtub for Darren and when it was ready, I called out to him, "Come on, angel boy, let's get you clean." Eden was watching and looked at Darren, sitting in his bouncy seat, immobile. "He's not coming!" she tattled. "I know, he can't come by himself because he's just a baby." "No, he's a big girl."

the Key to Happiness

I've never experienced postpartum depression, but the combination of hormones that surely have been a little out of whack, no sleep, and all the stress/fatigue/never-ending to-do lists that come with moving have sometimes left me overwhelmed and unhappy over these past few weeks. Then having those feelings makes me feel guilty and ungrateful. How can I be unhappy when I am so extremely blessed?! How grateful I am to have the Book of Mormon and the Bible to remind me of the things I know to be true. Today I read in Alma 34 and found my answer in verse 38. (I even had already written "Key to HAPPINESS" in the margin next to it. :)) "That ye contend no more against the Holy Ghost, but that ye receive it, and take upon you the name of Christ; that ye humble yourselves even to the dust, and worship God, in whatsoever place ye may be in, in spirit and in truth; and that ye live in thanksgiving daily, for the many mercies and blessings which he doth bestow upon you." So, somewhere during these busy days I stopped living in thanksgiving and focused more on all that wasn't perfect or wasn't done yet. I gave into pride-- trying to do everything on my own and ending up discouraged, instead of humbly seeking the Lord's help. And I stopped listening to the help the Holy Ghost was trying to give me when he encouraged me to repent. Pretty sad state to be in. Thankfully, the scriptures, prayer, and a wonderful General Conference have helped me wake up again. :)