My New BFF

Emily is not one to try new things. If she even THINKS she won't like a food, she'll gag before it reaches her mouth. Thus, it has been very difficult to get her to eat vegetables and anything else with any nutritional benefits. I have gotten sick of hearing doctors and other child specialists tell me that I have to give it to her at least 10 times before she'll eat it. Well, she'd never put it in her mouth, so she was never going to develop a taste for it, period!! I discovered a wonderful new best friend on this battlefront. Couscous!!
I don't remember ever having couscous until I was at BYU and they served it during one of our "cultural" days in French class. I loved it then and I've had it in many different ways since. However, I've never made it for my family until tonight. Emily actually devoured hers and even ate almost ALL of her veggies (corn, peas, carrots) when I mixed it in with it!! She ate it all and nothing was spit back out! I think I'll be stocking up on the stuff asap.

FHE at a Liquor Store

Contradiction in terms? Sadly, this IS how we spent our FHE tonight. Eric called to let me know he was on his way home. Ten minutes later, I got another phone call. He asked me to bring the gas can and meet him at a funeral parlor parking lot. Apparently waiting was too much for him and he walked the bike further down Pio Nono (just for those of you who AREN'T from Macon, GA, you pronounce that "Pie-ah No-nah") and we met up at a gas station. As Eric poured the gas in, it trickled out. Then, as he attempted to crank it up, gas poured out. Precious gas just running freely out of the bike!! (BTW, there is a gas shortage in northern GA...so that's a reality coming to us soon if things don't change.)
Seeing as the scooter wasn't going to hold ANY gas to get it going long enough to get anywhere, our next option was for me to follow Eric with my hazards on as he walked the bike to the shop we purchased it from. We made it to the next stop light and opted to pull into the parking lot there.
Miracles of miracles, some of Eric's buddies saw us and turned around to see if they could help. After diagnosing the bike with some serious issues, we let them get on to their activity for the evening and awaited Eric's dad who had a trailer. It was during this rendezvous with his friends, I finally realized what this "Silly Willy's Package Store" really meant. We were sitting in the parking lot of a drive-thru liquor store! Oh, it's classic and I know many of you are just dying laughing, but it really is a drive-thru liquor store!
You think the fun is over? Wrong! Emily had to go potty and no where to go potty. So, I pulled her around to the side of the van and let her pee right there (I know, gross and TMI, but you have to understand ALL the chaos of the evening). SHE thought it was hilarious and because she started laughing, it got everywhere!
When Eric's dad finally arrived (it had gotten dark by this point and Eric got off work at 5:45pm), we got the bike up on this tiny little trailer and then realized that the smallest jolt was going to knock the bike over. So, Evil Knievel...aka my husband, straddled the bike to brace it while I followed behind with my hazards on (the trailer lights ended up being dead). Although he was wearing his bike helmet, I really wondered how much that would help him were the bike to slip and force him to the road from that height (he was straddling the bike, which means he was standing up on the trailer and was taller than the Jeep). Oh, and to make things even funnier, his dad handed him a rope that was tied to the posts on either side of the trailer, making a sort of "reins" for the trailer...with Eric perched on top with bike helmet on, it was quite the picture.
Next week, let's hope for a different kind of FHE.

In a Minute

It's funny that as a parent you find out which words and phrases you say the most often. Apparently I am quite the one for saying "in a minute" because that is Emily's favorite phrase now. I can ask her to come eat and she replies, "in a minute." I get the same response when I tell her to come inside or pick up her toys or brush her hair. It's all going to happen "in a minute." Thankfully, she really DOES finish whatever she is doing and comes "in a minute".
Sadly, another phrase she has heard a lot of in the past few months has been that mommy's tummy hurts. She practically tries to diagnose the problem and "fixes" my tummy by applying various toys to it. At times, though, she claims that HER tummy hurts. Don't ask why...you'll laugh...this poor new baby hasn't even gotten here yet and everything is her fault. Emily's response? "Baby," as she points to her tummy. So, I've tried to be more careful in what I tell her as she climbs on me and jabs me in the tummy with her elbows and knees. Two kids kicking from both sides just isn't much fun, but I shouldn't just blanket everything by claiming "that hurts Mommy's tummy."

An Allergy or Not

I think I am probably one of the few women in the world who eats ice cream three times a day (and this past weekend, I also added in a bag of Skittles). During our last excursion to the grocery store, Eric told me to pick out some sort of ice cream without worrying if he or Emily would eat it (Em doesn't do ice cream period, so that's not much of a decision). I chose Butter Pecan. I've had it before and I really love pecan pie. For some strange reason when I eat this ice cream, my tongue starts to hurt and feels like I've poured acid in my mouth! So now I wonder, did I really need to get this ice cream if it causes pain and why does my body do such strange things when I'm prego?

Happiness Begins with Sleep

WOW! I forgot what getting a full night of quality sleep felt like! It was great! We all slept peacefully through the night. I don't know how many times I have prayed that in our family prayers, but last night it worked! No tossing and turning. No crazy random mid-sleep wakings by Emily. No disturbances in the night! It was really wonderful. I love waking up happy and refreshed! Can I order another serving tonight?

The Perfect Nose

For those of you who remember Little Women, the youngest of the four sisters, Amy, had vanity issues about her nose. She wears a clothes pin on her nose to "give it the perfect shape." Apparently Emily has some of these same issues, as you can see (although this is actually an air freshener from the car). She was cracking me up because she wanted me to take her picture. When I asked her what she was doing, she explained (quite matter-of-factly) that she was a frog. So, maybe she doesn't have issues after all...or maybe she does...just which ones. =)

Scooter Boy

We picked up Eric's scooter yesterday. We are quite the (cough: not) cool family now! That's okay, it's saving money and natural resources, right? Now Eric needs to get his license so he can actually use it instead of the van (permits allow you to ride during the day but not at night). Emily is all excited about the bike, so she is Vanna for us.

Silent Credit Hits

I have heard in the past that those pre-screened offers don't hurt your credit score. Well, I heard today that it does. By removing your name from these offers, you can actually improve your credit score. In fact, the lady told me today that in the next 30 days, your credit score can improve by up to 15 points. I figure that is a good thing, but it also saves my shredder from going through piles and piles of junk mail.
If you are interested in using the opt-out, you can call 1-888-5 OPT OUT (1-888-567-8688) or you can do it via the internet at www.optoutprescreen.com
It's quick and easy.

RIghteous Traditions

What are our family traditions? The ones we actively present to our children may be a bit more obvious and easily explained. However, after watching April 2008 General Conference again, I realize that perhaps more influential are the traditions we may not recognize that we are passing on to our children.
Cheryl Lant, the Primary General President gave a great talk entitled "Righteous Traditions" and spoke about the most important traditions being the way we live our lives. She posed the question "Are our traditions based on the actions of righteousness and faith?" So, not only is it important that we establish traditions for Christmas, birthdays, and such, but we also need to be aware of the traditions we set by example.
Do we go to church? Or, more importantly, do we demonstrate through our actions and conversations that what we have been taught at church is true? Do we support our leaders, both civic and religious, in both word and action? Or, are we undermining truth and stability because of our own disgruntlement with current situations?
I need to re-evaluate the things that I want my children to emulate and pass on to their children. I want them to be positive thinkers and positive doers so that they brighten the world around them. In order for them to become that way, I too, must work harder to do so.
Interestingly enough, the speaker following Sister Lant also spoke on the importance of learning good Christlike qualities in the home. If you haven't referenced these talks lately (or would like to read them), I encourage you to do so!

Soccer Mom

I've come across many of my friends who share in the same view of driving a van...we don't want to do it. However, the reality is there if you are going to have more than the current average number of children (1.9...we're almost there now!), then you need a car large enough to provide space for them to sit. However, it isn't just them, it's the car/booster seat needed to make their travel "safe". So, in any particular sedan, the limit is that 1.9 average. You can comfortably seat 2 kids in car seats...usually.
Well, looking at the world and the rising gas costs and such, one would wonder if it is more reasonable to drive two gas friendly cars or just jump in and get that larger vehicle, be it SUV or van (mini-van included in that name). Upon assessing our own situation and desires for family growth, we've decided that it makes more sense to get the van and have Eric drive the eco-friendly gas saver scooter to and from work.
That led us to our decision yesterday to trade in both our cars and get a van. The good part is, we live in Georgia. This is a reasonable decision for us. We have pretty mild winters so scooter driving is possible basically throughout the year. Of course, there will be days of Georgia downpour that won't be so great, but we can figure those out as they come (he drives the van that day). We can't really argue with getting 90 miles per gallon!!
So now, I get to be the lovely soccer mom and get over my pride when it comes to vehicles. Good bye to my way-cool Passat! Hello to filling up a van full of kiddos!

A Religious Influence

Children pick up on things extremely quickly. Emily has picked up on something that is quite hilarious (although, many of you have probably experienced this, too). She is finally letting me read books to her again. However, she thinks that at "The End" it should be "Amen." It makes me smile every time! Even when she is "reading" by herself, she ends with "amen."

Crazy Junk Mail

As a parent of a young child, we get quite a bit of junk mail for this "great" offer or another. This past week was the topper of them all. Emily received in the mail some 5x7" cards and some "trader" sized cards of "Weird N Wild" animals. You'll have to check out the website to fully understand why it was over the top.
They are animal cards; some real, some ancient, some mythological. They are ALL depicted in a ferocious state...mouths gaping open with menacing stances or them actually attacking/eating another animal. It gives a description of them and some other key info.
I don't mind Emily learning about these other animals, but I am concerned that she thinks ALL animals bite or are dangerous because of these images. On the other hand, it is pretty funny that she tells Eric every day when he leaves for work to watch out for the "docadile" because it'll "eat/bite you". So, now we not only hunt for frogs, but for crocodiles, too! Watch out (reruns of the) Crocodile Hunter!

Popcorn Popping`

Emily loves to have her "song" every night before she goes to bed. I'm usually the one to sing to her. Last night, she took a different approach. She came up to Eric and started singing "Popcorn Popping" which is one of the children's songs from church. Most of the words were unintelligible but she had the actions and syllables/beats down! She even did it over the phone for my parents and I did snag a video of it (although I don't know how to convert from our video camera to the computer/internet). SO, thanks to her nursery leaders and the primary chorister who have given their time every Sunday to my child!! It was a very sweet moment last night!

Another New One

I got the phone call last night around 10pm my time, but I am so excited for my oldest brother to have his first son! Aaron Michael Lasley was born yesterday evening, weighing in at 8 lbs ?oz (as I typed this, I forgot the specific oz) and measured 22 inches long. Welcome to the family Aaron!! This is Steve's third child, so they're old hats at this game. Congratulations, Steve and Lynette!

0 for 2

Yesterday was a really busy day for us. Eric's days off usually end up that way b/c we think we have to squeeze every last thing into it! However, if was a really exciting day for us. We got to go to the doctor and do the ultrasound for this new baby. We have felt so sure that this little one was going to be a boy that we've even referred to it as "Teddy". Guess what?
So, I'm laying there on the table with Emily holding my hand (she really is disturbed by me being on the table at the doctor's office) while she sits in Eric's lap. The ultrasound lady (is there a technical term for her?) quickly takes all the shots she needs...Baby Boyd being cooperative, unlike our first! Then she turns the screen so we can all see and asks if we'd like to know what we're having. YES!! That's why this appointment is the funnest!! It's like the mid-term surprise we get to celebrate (this is our version of pregnancy, so any of you who'd rather wait, kudos to you for not peeking early!) She pulls that image and points and says, "Looks like you're having a girl!" Eric and I were so shocked that she was a little concerned and then asked, "Were you hoping for a boy?" No, we weren't HOPING for a boy, we just really felt strongly that it would BE a boy.
Anyway, this is way better so Emily can have a sister to grow up with who is close in age, PLUS we don't have to spend as much getting clothing and things together for a boy.
So, next time I am pregnant, I'll listen to my "instincts" and know that it is the opposite of what I think. It was that way with Emily. It was that way for Baby Girl #2 (we haven't actually settled on her name quite yet...I think we're still a little shocked that it's a girl).

No More Bugs, Please!

Yesterday we had a lovely time with some of Eric's old high school buddies. We grilled out (what other kind of food can you have on a Monday holiday?)but left the grill cover on the ground until that evening. As we went to cover it, I saw this huge black spider. I don't know that I've ever seen a spider's body that was so completely round and black!! I pointed it out to Eric just before he grabbed that edge of the cover. He looked at it a little closer and noticed that it had a red markings on it. It was a black widow!! Just for future reference, however, the red wasn't that glaring and you have to look from above at the spider to see the red because the colors are so rich and it's actually quite shiny!
I am NOT happy to have encountered my first black widow, and especially not so as it was on my back porch!!!