The great TP debate

The great toilet paper debate has ended.  Scientifically, I have proven that rolling the paper "behind" is the only way to have toilet paper.  You see, my friends, a toddler has no problem doing the downward swiping motion that unrolls toilet paper if rolled forward as evidenced by a whole roll being unrolled and playfully dropped into the potty today.  It is significantly more difficult for aforementioned toddler to make the upward swiping motion for the "behind rolled" toilet paper.  And while this toddler may scream and pout and throw an epic tantrum, the toilet paper stays perfect.  And the potty stays unplugged.

Little Nonkey's room

It took 6 weeks, but Aiden's room is officially done.... until I find something else to put in there.  Since I live in a complex, I can not paint the walls, so I had to try non-paint ways to decorate the walls.  I have found ways.  Here is Aidens Room.

The wall on the right.  His bed is on the floor because he falls out of regular beds and the crib was a torture chamber.  He does great in this bed.  Such a big boy.

This is the back wall.  It seems fuzzy, so let me explain.  The thing on the far right is a lamp I bought at IKEA that is so cool.  It is a soft light that we use to wind down at night.  Second, I know that Monkey is spelled wrong.  It is a personal joke.  Uncle Chris used to call Aiden "Furious George, the Furious Little Nonkey."  So it stuck.  The dresser is my great-grandmother's dresser that was given to me by my sister, Jodi.  It is perfect.  The curtains are brown corduroy with banana leaf vines on the top and monkeys in the leaves.

This is the mural to on the left wall.  It is so tall that I actually had to cut a foot off the vinyl so it would fit on the 7 foot walls.  It is enormous.  Notice the rocking chair to the left.  That gives an idea of size.  It was painful and awful to put up and Mom said so many bad words I should be in time out for a year.  But it is done.

Here is Mom's bedroom - creative vinyl in place of a headboard.

Aiden's bathroom.  And the stinky monkey playing on the potty.

DONE!  The house is pretty much done!  

Yay!!!

I love to see the temple

Last night, after work, I went to the temple.  The last session I had done was two weeks before I delivered Aiden.  It has been a long time.  I haven't felt right about leaving Aiden for an extra two hours or so in the past year, but last night my life needed a big spiritual boost from the Lord.  I maniacally drove from work to the temple, talking on the phone, arranging patients, marketing, directing the company.  I rushed to get dressed and rushed to the chapel of the temple.  When I sat down, I had no cell phone, no companion, no where to be except right there.  It was overwhelming to be so quiet.

After the session, I was able to sit in the Celestial Room for a very long time.  I cried like a child, prayed like a condemned man, and just felt the peace of being focused.

I was able to go home with peace in my heart, patience in my demeanor, and a reminder that God knows me and is charge of my life.

What do guys wear under their kilts?

Diapers. 

Yes, Aiden is wearing the darn cutest little kilt you have ever seen.  We went to the Scottish Festival in Payson and Shiree surprised him with his very own kilt.  

Stinking Cute!!!

Aiden loved the sound of bagpipes.  Must be the Fightin' Scot in his blood.

I dare anyone to tell these guys they look like sissies in their kilts.  They are the biggest, toughest guys.  And most of them carry knives in their socks.  

Our little home

I found a little plaque that I bought for my new home.  It says, "Our house is like a little house, but God knows where we live."  It was such a simple saying, but I felt it was profound.  Our house is little.  I was able to show my home to some of my sisters this last week that have not had the opportunity to see it.  It is much, much smaller than any of their homes.

But I was very proud of home.  Not just because it is clean and tidy, but because the things in my home are mine and they are nice.  The feeling in my home is pleasant and full of life and love.  We are happy here and we are safe.  I can't wait for us to see where our lives will go in this home.

Now to clean it.  Hmmmm....

So Independent

I love my little man.  But he is so fiercely stubborn. He is one of those children you go to the grocery store just to judge.  He is stubborn. Luckily, so is his mom.    So, he wanted to do things... himself.

Here is the end result...

Awesome.  But toast, shredded chicken and cheese squares may be the menu for the next little while if he insists.  

The joy of experiencing

Last night I made a list of all the things that I need to scrapbook for Aiden's book.  I realized in looking through the pictures of the last year that we have done so many really, really great and fun things.  I hope they are for his benefit more than mine.

What a fascinating thing it is to watch a child grow every day from birth!  I don't remember the first time I experienced many things, but I can watch my son as he discovered his fingers for the first time, saw snow, watched fish swim at the aquarium for the first time, played in the sand for the first time, had wind in the face or rain in his hair.  All of these things amaze him.  It is thrilling to watch him as he decides if he enjoys some things such as the wind and the swings.  Then, I realize how much influence I have over these decisions.

When the wind blows, I can say, "Yay!" and laugh.  He will laugh along with me.  During the thunder, I can smile and say, "ooooooh" and he will think it is a very amazing sound.  If I act afraid and frustrated, he acts the same.  Monkey see, monkey do.

So much responsibilities to weigh on the shoulders.  So much to teach and yet, so much that he teaches me.  He has taught me to just take time and do nothing except lay on the floor banging toys together.  That Cheerios are best when eaten off the kitchen floor before Mom can snatch them away.  That joy can come from squishing peas between your toes.  The simple things are the most enjoyable.

All the things that I have experienced once, and lost.