Goodbye To The Dog

I have struggled with the dog since we got him. I'm not a dog person and although I agreed to give it a try, it just wasn't for me, so we decided to return him. The owners who gave him to us knew my reservations and assured us when we took him that if it didn't work out they would take him back. My sister-in-law heard me talking about it and mentioned that she was looking for another dog. So, Saturday she took him home. He will have another dog for company and be in a house where everyone wants him. I do feel bad that I couldn't do it for James, but overall I am just so relieved.

Julie & Julia

Saturday I met my sister-in-laws at the theater to see "Julie & Julia." It was a fun and silly movie that had me laughing and crying. A good girl movie.

Temple

I was invited to the temple for my friend Mara's endowment session. I arrived there and much to my dismay they told me that it was full. Although I was on the list they wouldn't let me in! Apparently there were two other girls going through for their first time so there was a competing number of lists and it was first come first in. I had given myself what I thought was plenty of time, if only I hadn't gotten lost getting there!

They told me that I could do initiatory and then wait in the celestial room. I was able to stand in the hallway as Mara passed to let her know that I was there but unable to go in. At first I went into the bathroom and had a quick moment of crying and feeling sorry for myself. But then as I went on to do initiatory I felt that the Lord was giving me exactly what I needed at that moment. I had recently been to a session with my youngest brother but it had been some time since I was in the Temple for just initiatory. I was reminded again how beautiful the wording, blessings and promises truly are. Hearing those blessings, I felt a peace and calmness that has alluded me for some time. There were things that I very much needed to hear and to be reminded of.

The women workers were so wonderful. I did not realize that it is one of the smaller temples that doesn't rent clothing but they found me a dress so that I could wait in the Celestial Room. I think sometimes that is really what we want to be able to do; just walk into the temple and sit in that beautiful peaceful room. What I initially felt heartbroken over turned into a peaceful and reassuring visit.

Afterwards I went with Mara to her parent's house for dinner. It was great to catch up and spend time with her. We are the kind of friends who have very different lives and don't see much of each other. Mara said it perfectly when she said, "I realize that you love me dearly and I love you dearly and eventually we will touch base."

Max And His Rocking Horse

We have had this rocking horse for months, but Max just learned how to really ride it. He is having a blast with it now.

James' 35th Birthday

I surprised James with an old favorite...ice cream, brownies, cookies and toppings. When I was pregnant we ate this more than I care to admit. It was fun, but as I predicted he ate too much and it was too much sugar.

James' Mom invited the family over to celebrate James and Marshall's birthdays. We spent a fun afternoon together eating and visiting.

I wanted a picture of these two but they were standing on opposite sides of the kitchen. When I asked them to step together Marshall jumped over next to James and wound their arms together to take a bite of cake. He gave us all a good laugh!

Max had fun with his first time "playing" the piano.

Max's Words

Max said "slide" today. We were playing at the park and we asked him if he wanted to go down the slide and he repeated it. I know that he talks, but it was one of the clearest things he has said and it made me think of all the things he can say. Up to date, he says "Hi, bye, Dad, Mom, no, bawl (bottle), awa (water), saw (sock), os (cheerios), oast (toast), oos (shoes), pup (his puppydog) da (dog), cime (climb), iger (tiger) and side (outside)." He says "HA" when he gets what he wants, "mm?" when he is asking and "ooh!" when he is excited. He is very good at communicating what he wants. He will take our hand to lead us around. His zoo video has a section that shows the alphabet one at a time, which I say out loud. The other day he started to mimic me, not with the right sounds, but saying a sound one at a time.

He must be cutting some teeth because he sucks or chews on his puppydogs' ears all the time, refuses to eat anything and will only take a bottle. He gets very upset when I try to feed him anything and points to the counter, saying "Bawl" over and over. He has never held the bottle himself. He will pick it up to bring it to me but is insistent that I hold it for him. He loves toast and it and sweet potato puffs are the only things he will still eat. (Except of course, his dad's pop tarts and Oreos. Why is it that he will still eat all the food that isn't good for him?)

Max's Church Clothes

I looked around the other Sunday and realized that my baby is not a baby anymore. It is past time for him to be dressing appropriately for church. So I went shopping at Kid-To-Kid and found him a white shirt, tie, black shoes, suit pants and matching vest all for $15.

They are a bit big but he will grow into them faster than I can imagine. The tie didn't stay on very long but he sure did look cute. Now I just need to work up the courage to cut his hair. I am a bit nervous and also I just can't make myself cut off his baby curls yet.

Saying Goodbye To Jared

On the way to the MTC Mom, Dad and Jared stopped to say goodbye.

I asked Dad to give me a blessing and Jared was able to stand in.

What a blessing that they could and would do this for me.

Bathroom Cabinets: Before & After

I hate my bathroom. Always have. Kimber saw a show with a bathroom very similar to mine and told me about some of the simple, inexpensive changes they made. One of those, as odd as it may sound, was painting the cabinets black. After thinking about it for long enough that I was annoying myself I just did it. I took Max to Lowes, picked up paint and did the prep work and the first coat while he was sleeping.

Before....

After...

I really like it! The black covers up so many flaws and it doesn't look so cheap. I also took out the nasty flowery contact paper and put in the nice, calm green color. I like it but it has also made me want to do the rest of the room. So, soon, this will also be a before picture. I plan on painting the walls (after a good scrubbing that is,) hemming the curtains and putting some type of frame around the huge mirror.

24th of July

James, Max and I spent the afternoon in Tooele with James' Dad & Grandpa.

Max loved spending so much time outside and had fun with his Grandpa & Great-Grandpa.

We met at a park with a great playground where we ate, played and visited.

Aviary & Water Pools

My sister-in-law Lauren invited Max and I to go to the Tracy Aviary with them. It is at a park near downtown so James was able to meet us for some of the adventure. Max liked looking at the birds and LOVED being outside.

After the Aviary we went to the water pools. They are built in the form of all the mountains and valleys in this area. Max had such a blast playing in the water. He was so exhausted that he fell asleep the second I put him in his carseat. I think we will have to go back very soon.

Thanks Lauren and Melita for a fun morning!