Outside

This morning we took our bubbles, buckets, shovels and rakes and headed to the backyard while it was still "cool" enough to play outside (and by cool enough, I mean it was 102). Both Biggs and Brychan had a blast jumping after and chasing bubbles, and Brychan really enjoyed just wandering around the yard seeing what there was to see. Unfortunately, we only lasted about 30 minutes before heading in for water and Otter Pops!

Best Seat in the House

Evidently there's nothing cozier than curling up with a favorite book in a pile of dirty laundry. Especially when you can look at, and chat with, the cute little boy in the mirror next to you. Brychan sat in there, quietly, for probably 20 minutes the other morning while I was getting ready for the day. In contrast, this morning as I was getting ready, I caught him standing on TOP of the toilet. Sorry, no photos of that! :)

Dancing

I apologize that it's sideways...I wasn't paying attention to how I was holding the camera, and now can't get it flipped around.


Putting the rings on his ankles was all Brychan's idea (they are for a stacking toy), but I don't think he realized they made much noise until he started walking around with them. Which of course led to dancing around with them. And again, as soon as I got the camera out, he was about done - but I did get a little bit in. He is too funny!!

I have no idea what the little leg lift at the end is all about - he stood like that for several minutes after I turned the camera off.

Day at the Park Part 1

We had the most beautiful weather this weekend thanks to a huge monsoon. Our high on Saturday was only 94, so we decided we had to take advantage of the nice weather and go out and play!

This photo is to show my belly more than anything. A lady at the dentist's office the other day told me how "little" I was; that it just looked like I had too much for lunch. I don't know what kind of lunch she's used to eating, but hopefully it doesn't make her look this huge!

Going down the slide

My new favorite photo!

On top of the world!

Day at the Park Part 2

Going down the BIG slide with Daddy

At the bottom

Checking everything out

Riding in the "rocket" with his Dad


We can't wait until the weather starts cooling off for winter so we can go to the park and play everyday! Brychan LOVED it!!

"Enduring Well"

As a forewarning, this entry is serving a journaling purpose more than anything and will be boring to many of you I'm sure. It will also be quite cryptic for those who don't know the stories; for which I apologize, but I cannot expound. Feel free to skip it if you wish. I wouldn't blame you!

It has been almost 6 months since the worst day of my life. And as I've been working on my upcoming lesson for Relief Society on dealing with trials (which, ironically I will be giving on fast Sunday in September - exactly 6 months), I can't help but reflect on what has by far been the biggest trial for us to date. We still find ourselves dealing with side effects of that day; some tiny little ripples that are easily forgotten, others huge waves crashing down on us unexpectedly. Yet, since that day we are both much stronger, healthier, filled with more gratitude and more committed to just about everything (and everybody) around us. And looking back on things now, I can see how trials I had earlier in life helped me prepare for what happened to us this year.

As much as I hate pretty much everything about that day, I wouldn't change it for anything. Not only was it life-saving, but it strengthened my testimony in several ways. I know Heavenly Father is watching out for us on a very specific, careful and individual basis. He does not miss anything. He lets awful things happen which many times seem to have a way of leading to a greater good. I know that He prompts us if we are willing to listen. He sometimes prompts and guides us when we are seemingly physically and mentally unable to survive let alone think straight. In those times, he leads us by the hand to help us carry out whatever it is that has to be done. I know how important it is to listen to those promptings - whether it's something so huge you can't miss, or whether it's just a passing thought that somebody needs a hug or an uplifting phone call. It is imperative to always be listening. My life would be drastically different had such promptings not been followed. My love for eternal families has been multiplied a hundred times over and I find myself working harder than I ever have before to keep my family on the road to an eternal life together.

I know that many people suffer trials that are harder or worse than the ones my little family has been asked to bear this year. I wouldn't want to trade our trials for others. We have definitely been blessed with opportunities to turn this into a major strength and will hopefully be able to take this experience and turn it into something helpful or positive for somebody else. When I was asked to accept my new church calling about a month ago, that was the first thought that popped into my head. Again, another answer to prayers. Not the answer I would have hoped for, or expected, but an answer none the less.

I am terrified of giving this lesson in Relief Society. Not only is it my first time teaching adults (versus the children and teenagers I've always been with), but it is a subject that is still so near and dear to me; a wound that is still fresh and trying to heal. But hopefully, like I said earlier, somebody can benefit from what I can hope Heavenly Father is having me say!

Danger Boy

This morning, Brychan figured out not only how to pull the dining room chairs out from under the table, but also how to climb up to sit on them at the table. We have pub-style chairs; meaning they are quite a bit taller than your average dining room chairs.

There are multiple things wrong with this photo.

1. Obviously, standing on TOP of the table is not a good idea.
2. Pulling on the ceiling fan chain also not a good idea.
3. Walking all over Mommy's scrapbooking papers not so hot either.
4. Sneaking a binky that he KNOWS is for sleeping ONLY tops the cake.

When he saw me coming he knew he was in trouble, but not for standing on the table. He immediately pulled the binky out of his mouth and chucked it across the room towards me, all the while continuing to pull on the fan chain and stand on the table.

This is what happens when I make the mistake of trying to make my bed while Brychan is NOT SLEEPING. Two boys is starting to scare me...

Swimming

We LOVED swim lessons this summer and are really sad they only lasted for two weeks. Next summer however, we'll be able to take advantage of a FULL summer's worth of classes. Yay!

We started our swim lessons with Brychan loving to be in the water and splash in the water, but hating to get his face wet or water in his ears. By the end of swim lessons he was floating on his back all by himself, monkey crawling along the ledge of the pool by himself and letting me completely dunk him under the water. Being dunked still isn't his favorite thing, but he does it without complaint. If nothing else, it has made washing his hair during bath time MUCH easier - making the $18.00 I paid for swim lessons well worth the money!