Update... sort of

Hello everyone! It's been a long time. Not only because my poor laptop is currently on death's door. (But that is a big part of it.) But I finally got the desktop up and running; my dear, sweet husband got me the Internet down here (he would like me to tell the "harrowing tale of running the cable through mouse land [aka our drop tile ceiling] and we won't mention mom's computer room." That's all he's getting. Because it would be gross and wrong to tell you all about the petrified mouse that fell into my living room. And even worse for me to have to remember it.)

Longest tangent ever.

And when I downloaded Picasa - which I've been wanting for years, but haven't been able to run it on my Mac (sigh) - I discovered this adorable little "Blog this!" button. So I had to blog. Which brings us to the present. :)

This is my monster. He has really grown up, and it terrifies me. He is climbing on everything. Loves to be upside down. Loves to "sneak" (hopefully I'll be able to capture that on the camera someday). Loves to be out of control.

These are his boots. He does not love these. He would not take a step in them (or stand up) for 2 days until I finally took him outside and put him down in the snow.

I got out the ladder to put my lights and snowflakes in the ceiling (there's one reason to love a drop-tile ceiling) and Gaius immediately started up the rungs. No fear, I tell you.

Clearly, he can't read the "Danger" sign on top of the ladder.

And last, but most exciting to me right now... Check out my mad knitting skills! For 4 years I've been searching for the perfect knit stockings. I finally bought some last year only to decide that I hated them this year. So I finally decided to be brave and make them myself.

Neal says I shouldn't read too much into the spelling.

testimony lesson

Today was Fast and Testimony meeting at church. Which I normally hate since it's always filled with teenagers weeping about their problems and talking about how EFY changed their life, and long, drawn out stories no one really gets or cares about, and parents whispering in their kid's ears.

Neal and I talked about that a few months ago, actually. How we don't want to let our kids go up and say "I like to bear my testimony, and I know the church is true. I love my mom and dad and ...." well, I'll spare you. You know how it goes.

But something quite amazing happened today. The 7 year old girl (I'm guessing on the age) of a newly baptized family walked herself up to the stand and said, "I'm going to a new school soon. I'm really nervous. But then I remembered the Lord. I'm still nervous. But He will help me. In the name of Jesus Christ, amen." and she sat down.

I don't suppose I can really explain how it made me feel. But I do believe hers was the most honest and sincere testimony heard today.


I just wanted to share that. And apologize for not posting in months. Google Analytics says my blog activity is down 28%. But I'm sure you've all seen my kid grow up on Facebook if you were caring to look. :)

a follow-up on poor Boots

Admittedly, tormenting Boots can be fairly entertaining.

love

My mom took pity on my a few weeks ago and gave me a pair of gardening gloves. Now that the after-surgery swelling and pain has gone down in my wrist I finally got around to putting them on and weeding.

I am in love with these gloves.

She told me they were the best gloves in the world when she gave them to me, which I ignored, because that's just a ridiculous claim. But they are really fantastic and I recommend them to you all. They are comfortable, they're thin enough you can still feel what you're doing and can still grab little weeds. And maybe the best of all - you know that terrible grass weed that grows sticky seeds on top? My yard is currently infested with them, and I have ruined 3 pair of gloves in the past pulling the nasty things. But the sticky seeds don't stick to these gloves! And that, my friends, is a miracle.

So, if you need a pair of awesome gloves, these Atlas 370 gloves rock.

Just now...

I'm doing my hair ignoring Gaius (terrible mother, I know) who has been whining since he woke up from his nap. I give him my comb hoping it will make him happy. He takes the bribe and leaves the bathroom.

A few moments later I hear maniacal giggling. I love it when he giggles, it makes me feel like I'm doing something right. However along with the giggles, I hear the frantic sounds of my cat tearing down the hall, followed by baby with comb in hand. More giggles.

Poor Boots. He's got a long, hard life ahead of him. Or a really short one if my baby ever manages to catch him.

Long time

It occurs to me that I haven't blogged in a month. Sadly, I've discovered that since my baby turned one, I have less to say. There aren't any more milestones to wait for, he doesn't say many words (and I'm not sure he means the ones he says), it's just life as usual day in and day out.

Boring, I know.

I am coming to the slow and terrifying realization that my well-mannered baby has been eaten by crazed toddler (who, ironically, often refuses to eat). I used to have grand illusions that my child would be different. [sigh] I feel so sorry for every time I looked at a mother or child and thought "Why hasn't she taught him better? Why would you let their child do that?" I now know that somethings just aren't worth the fight; and moms are always tired... and my kid isn't even throwing REAL tantrums yet.

And to think I want another one.

Anyway, on to the pictures!

Yeah, he's a ham.
And he's a little dude.
He's really fallen in love with his elephant. If I let him take it out of his crib, he'll carry it around all day.
Was it mean to capture this on film? Or was it mean to share it? Or is it mean that it makes me laugh every time I see it?
For some reason I decided to show him the grapes in the backyard. He loves to pick them, but doesn't like to eat them. What kind of kid doesn't like grapes?
And, he thinks he's such a good helper. Neal and I even went out and bought a toy vacuum in the hopes that he would let me vacuum in peace. It didn't work.

Thanks for coming and reading my little update. Maybe someday I'll find something besides my kid to talk about, but not today!

finally! family photos

I haven't been here forever. And I apparently hadn't downloaded the pictures off my camera since before Gaius' birthday. Holy crap. I just can't even think about blogging all of that. I feel so completely disorganized when I go into iPhoto. Can't stand it.

So, I'll just share my family pictures. I was so excited to get them done! I haven't had a nice picture taken since my wedding. Long overdue.







I'm too lazy to caption. But did you notice I have bangs? I don't know what made me do it. But I really love them. Good thing, because if I didn't like them, I was going to cut all my hair off. :)