Taking a Break

There are some great moments in the life of a mother. I was in the middle of cleaning the bathroom (not my favorite task by any means) and my girls decide they want to get dressed in their ballerina paraphernalia and dance along with Bella Ballerina. Lindy helped Ellie into her own pair of tights and leotard/tutu for the occasion. Ellie was taking the dancing very seriously and I just couldn't resist ignoring the awaiting toilet bowl to spend some time with my little ballerinas. It was worth the break.

Gravity

I've heard it before: "It's no use crying over spilled milk." Well, what about crying over a shattered glass of Diet Coke splattered all over my kitchen counter, floor, cupboards, walls, and rug? I'm hoping that I am justified in at least a few tears of frustration especially considering that this is probably the tenth time this has happened over the last few months. It hasn't always been Diet Coke, mind you. We've had apple juice (an entire gallon at one point), Sprite, Gatorade, and Diet Coke creating a sticky, icky mess all over my house. (Unfortunately for my kitchen rug, no water.) I'm down more than I care to know in glassware and I'm sick and tired of having to play Twister in my kitchen as I try to maneuver around an ever-expanding waistline. Why is it that pregnant women have to deal with clumsiness along with all the other inconveniences? It's just been one of those days/weeks. Grrr.

Getting Ready

I know that I was originally a little skeptical about having a boy...but I think I've finally begun to be excited about the little guy. After spending several years immersed in the pinks and purples of the world I decided to devote some time to the blues and greens. Here's my first official baby blanket for "Junior". It was so much fun to make and it turned out so cute! Big thanks go out to Holly, my quilting guru, for her invaluable advice. It's somewhat of a relief to know that he won't have to go out in public wrapped up in any of the girl's old blankets. Whew! 

Curses!

Welcome to the battle of "happy supportive wife" vs. "irritatingly geeky husband". Ian has been pestering me (in a good-natured way, of course) for over a year to let him replace our home computer (previously a PC) with an Apple Mac Mini. I fought it tooth-and-nail for quite some time. I finally caved just before Christmas...mainly because I want to get a new kitchen table and figured a little "scratch my back, I'll scratch yours" might help my cause.

Fast forward a couple months. I have tried. Really and truly I have. I have stepped outside of my comfort zone and I feel like I've made a herculean effort to like (and use) this new computer. But today...I'm ready to take this teeny tiny geeky silver box and smack Ian over the head with it. AARRGH! Meanwhile it is quite depressing to know that, at least in TV world, I am portrayed as the goofy suit-wearing nerd and Ian gets to be the cool dude. Blast that darn marketing strategy!

And no...I still don't have a new kitchen table.

Grateful

I usually don't feel compelled to share too many of my own personal thoughts on my blog...somehow it seems a little easier to be cynical than sincere. But I've been thinking about a recent challenge issued by Elder Ballard and this seemed a perfect opportunity.

I'm not the most eloquent person, particularly when it comes to expressing my feelings, but there are a few simple things I'm grateful for today. I'm grateful that our Heavenly Father loves us enough to provide us with prophets who lead, teach, and inspire us to live lives that will help us return to Him. I'm grateful to know that today Gordon B. Hinckley has returned to live with our Father in Heaven and our Savior, Jesus Christ. I'm also thankful to know that he has been reunited with his sweet wife. I'm grateful to know that the role of prophet and seer will not end with his passing. I know that the Lord will continue to direct the lives of his people through the leaders of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and a new prophet will be called for these days and times.

President Hinckley's example has taught me many things over the last several years. I've learned a lot about the power of love, the importance of humor, and the joy of life. I can only hope and pray that I will remember these lessons even as the daily grind of this world tries to make me forget. But for today...I'm simply grateful for a man whose life was lived in the service of others. Thank you, President Hinckley.