Aggressively Affectionate

We loved having my Grandma Bonnie visit us during November 2016. While she was here, Sophie would happily climb up and down from her lap. grab her hands and arms a little too roughly, and generally treat Grandma like she was the best jungle gym ever. It got to the point that Grandma would announce, "Here comes Tough Love" when Sophie would enter the room.

We're excitedly preparing for another visit from my Grandma. We talked about it while in the car this week. This was Sophie's response.

Sophie: I LOVE Grandma Bonnie! And this time, no...hmm...no love puff! Wait, what was it?

Me: Do you mean tough love?

Sophie: Yes! No tough love. (after a moment) What is tough love?

We talked about the need to be gentle with Grandma, and Sophie is now a mature four-year-old rather than a two-year-old, but I don't think we'll know how much of the lesson sunk in until the visit actually begins.

Don't Shy Away From the Tough Stuff

A few weeks ago a friend shared a news story on her Facebook page about the Tide Pod challenge. I showed it to Peter and he was shocked that anyone would do anything as stupid as eat poison intentionally. We talked about teenagers and their proven lack of good judgement and Peter expressed his own worry about becoming a teenager. I told him to remember that feeling and keep trusting his parents while he's in those crazy teenage years.

A week later he came home from a Young Men activity and reported that two of the boys had been boasting that they tried the challenge. He was genuinely concerned for them. I know these boys and I know their moms and I suspect that they were all talk and no action. Nevertheless, we talked about the experience with Peter. We told him that sometimes kids will say they've done something to seem cool, whether it's wise or not, whether they've done it or not. He concurred with us that nothing about this internet fad is truly cool.

Then a letter came home from the Principal at the boys' school warning parents about this same challenge. We talked with all the kids about it and everyone agreed that it was a dumb thing for anyone to do. Sophie even talked through what she would do if someone offered her soap to eat.

We've had these same talks about alcohol and pornography and drugs, both prescription and otherwise.

I hope that as my kids get older, we can continue having open discussions with them about scary and important things. Not that we want to worry our kids unnecessarily, but we also don't want to send them out into the world unprepared. We want them to be ready if they come face to face with these situations.

Bipedal

Good news: I can walk again! After spending most of Thursday and Friday off my injured foot, it felt much better. I was concerned about my big driving/walking adventure on Saturday, but my heel didn't seem any worse for wear. It was feeling good enough that I attempted a slow walk on the treadmill last night. It took me thirty minutes to do a mile, but I didn't re-injure myself, so it was worth the slow pace.

Hooray for being mobile again!

Organic Cosmetics

"Does this look like lipstick?" Sophie, asking if the grape jam she had just smeared onto her lips could pass for makeup.

Saturday at the Temple

Saturday was an important day for two members of our family. Our ward had a planned Temple trip for that day to the Philadelphia Temple for the Young Men and Young Women. This was Peter's first opportunity to attend and do baptisms for the dead. He was nervous and excited beforehand. He drove down with a friend, had lots of help in understanding where he needed to go and what he needed to do, and had a wonderful experience.

While Peter was on his way to the Philadelphia Temple, I was driving down to Washington D.C. I made the drive to attend my almost-sister-in-law's bridal shower in the late morning, then I had the lovely experience of being with her when she went to the Temple for the first time. It was a blessing being in the Washington D.C. Temple with Leah, my brother Jordan, Leah's mom, and two of Leah's friends.

Yesterday, after sleeping on my brother's couch in Maryland and making the drive back to attend morning church, Peter and I talked about the Temple. We discussed the feeling of peace, calm, and love that fills the Temple. And I was able to connect that feeling back to what we want for our home. Peter understood in a way that he hadn't before. He's been to several Temple Open Houses, but once the Temple is dedicated, it feels different. He now has first hand knowledge of that feeling.

I love that he and I both were able to attend the Temple on Saturday. We're both eager to go back soon.

Future Cousins

My brother Jordan will be getting married in a few weeks. Sophie and I were discussing his upcoming nuptials over lunch today and the following information was shared.

Sophie: I'm going to name their children you know.

Me: You're going to name Jordan and Leah's future children?

Sophie: Yes, I am.

Me: What will you name them?

Sophie: Rose and Joy. No. The boys will be Hav and Dav. And the girls will be Rose. And Cute Baby Soph. (cue sneaky grin) No, Flower. How about Charlotte?

So there you go Jordan and Leah, Sophie is offering her services to help you with future major life choices.

Sit Down, Put Your Feet Up

I've worked to stay active and exercise during this pregnancy. I haven't been able to do as much as usual, but I still like to walk a mile or two at least four days per week.

Last week I decided to push myself a little and increase my speed. This worked well the first day. I felt more energized afterward and liked finishing in a shorter amount of time. The second day, however, didn't go as well. I noticed that my left foot was getting really sore while I walked. I finally slowed down my pace (which didn't ever get very fast) and the discomfort passed.

Later that day that same discomfort came back, but this time as pain in my heel. I had trouble putting weight on my left foot and limped around the rest of the night. The pain would increase and decrease based on activity, but, as long as I put pressure on my heel, it hurt. It's continued to hurt all week.

Last night after scouts and several hours on my feet doing my normal mom stuff, I decided I needed to do something about my foot. After a Google search (yes, I took a medical concern to Google) I suspected that I had badly bruised the pad of my heel, or possibly the bone. This can be a precursor to a stress fracture, so I made the choice to stay off my foot as much as possible today.

I told the kids that I would need to spend most of the day sitting with my foot up. They rolled with it pretty well and were helpful when I asked them to fetch me things. And good news, the few times I've walked today, I haven't been in as much pain.

When I was pregnant with Peter I had to spend the last three weeks on bed-rest. I had no children to chase or taxi, so it was a pretty relaxing deal. This self-imposed bed rest of sorts is not quite as restful, but hopefully it'll do the job.

A Proper Snow Day

It snowed overnight and we got the call around 5:30 this morning telling us there would be no school. I decided to brave the cold and told the kids I would take them outside to play. They were thrilled. We got between 4 and 6 inches, so there was lots of cold white stuff to tromp through.

Snow angels are popular round these parts.

Cooper found the cleanest patch of snow, filled up his container, and ate it like ice cream, which does not appeal to me. Then he went for a not so clean patch and I had to point out that that was the snow the plow had pushed onto the sidewalk from the street.

See the boots Peter is wearing? They're Bryan's. And they're only a half size too big for Peter.

The kids kept asking if I was going to make a snow angel. I don't own snow pants, and even if I did I don't think they'd fit right now, so I declined. In fact, instead of my normal base layer, I wore Bryan's because there was more room to accommodate my growing girth.

The snow was quite dry, so the few snowballs that were attempted didn't work out very well.

However it was perfect for sledding. Cooper discovered that he didn't even need an actual sled. I caught him mid-run on his way down the hill, right on his knees. He was the last kid out and only came in because I didn't want to leave him out on his own.

We followed our outside play with baths and hot chocolate, which is just how a snow day should go.

They Don't Wind Down

My hat goes off to those parents that are good at bedtime. I look up to the parents that can maintain patience and calm until after their kids are asleep. I suspect these parents may be fictional, but perhaps some of them do exist.

Bedtime is not my strength.

Happiness

Phoebe is the first person in our family to speak in church in 2018. She gave her talk yesterday morning in Primary. She did well, though I did mouth the words "slow down" the few times she looked at me. She was uncharacteristically nervous, I'm not sure why.

For your reading pleasure, here's the talk she gave:

The Great Plan of Happiness

Last week Claire and Deanne gave talks about the Plan of Salvation. The Plan of Salvation is when Heavenly Father gathered us all together in Heaven before anyone was born and said he had a plan. He said he would send us to earth to have bodies, live in families, and learn things. Jesus would come and take our sins upon Him so that we could repent and return to live with Heavenly Father and Jesus again.

Did you know that the Plan of Salvation is also called the Plan of Happiness? But why?

When we are obedient to Heavenly Father’s commandments, we are happy. We will have the Holy Ghost with us and He gives us peace and comfort. When we choose the right, we are often kept out of dangerous situations, and that makes us happier. Because of the plan, we can live with our families forever. And that makes me happy.

The Primary Song I Will Follow God’s Plan says:

My life is a gift; my life has a plan.

My life has a purpose; in heav’n it began.

My choice was to come to this lovely home on earth

And seek for God’s light to direct me from birth.

I will follow God’s plan for me,

Holding fast to his word and his love.

I will work, and I will pray;

I will always walk in his way.

Then I will be happy on earth

And in my home above.

I know that we will be happier by following this plan. I say these things in the name of Jesus Christ, amen.