Washington D.C. Temple Visitor's Center

We had a great visit to the temple during Sam's spring break. Someday we hope to live much closer to a temple. (Right now it takes about 4 1/2+ hours to get there.) It was so good to feel nearer to my Heavenly Father, to feel the warmth and peace and clarity of mind, and to be reminded of the great blessings we receive as we live faithfully. Sam and I went in separately so we could take turns watching Ked. Ked enjoyed the visitor's center a lot. I enjoyed watching him enjoy it. (I won't mention how much he exhausted me since he never wanted to sit still!)

Ked 18 months

Fort Fun

Ked loves when his dad makes him a fort. Ked has taken on the responsibility of pulling the cushions off the couch and putting them on the floor--apparently the fort is not complete without them.

This was when we made the fort as part of our Monday night Family Home Evening. It's been fun as Ked has been getting older to cater more to him in our activities. We try to play with him anyway, but it's nice to have one night when he's guaranteed a lot of attention from both of us together. He loves it! Now if we can just get him to sit still during his 30 second scriptural lesson. . . Actually, he does a pretty good job with that too. He likes to point at things in the pictures.

Feb. 28, 2011

I Shall Be Whole

Rinita, la Bonita. That's what I called Rina when we were neighbors and then roommates; a great friend of mine (and of many). I was pretty excited to open the Ensign and see this painting with her as the model. (The author, Al Young, is the father of Elspeth Young, also an amazing painter and person and another friend who was in our ward in Provo.)

Rina taught me much about having faith in our Savior, and also about charity, compassion, service, perseverance, and striving to do what is right. So it is appropriate that in this painting, she represents this woman from the Bible.

"And, behold, a woman, which was diseased with an issue of blood twelve years, came behind him, and touched the hem of his garment:

"For she said within herself, If I may but touch his garment, I shall be whole.

"But Jesus turned him about, and when he saw her, he said, Daughter, be of good comfort; thy faith hath made thee whole. And the woman was made whole from that hour."

(Matthew 9: 20-22)

Surprise Greetings

After just a few minutes in the bathroom, this is what I found when I came out. Except when I first came out, his diaper was in his hands. I'm not sure how I feel about this new independent stage. . . especially the part where he can undress himself.

Yesterday I left Ked in his room during nap time, even after I heard him getting out of his pack-n-play. I was listening and knew he was getting into things, but didn't realize the extent. Lesson learned. (His diaper bag had snacks and a roll of toilet paper--to be used as tissue--in it.)

Ked 18 months

Our Little Dish Washer

Ked LOVES dish washing time. Hopefully he still feels that way when he's a little older and it's his job. . .

Ked is very insistent on being involved once he hears the dishes clanking and the water running, and will do anything to get to the water (as you can see here). It's gotten to the point that Sam won't do dishes until after Ked is in bed, keeping things much easier and drier.

On the rare occasions I do the dishes, Ked and I have a deal. I wash; he rinses.

Ked 17 months