A first in 25 years!

I ate a meat pie today. This may not sound like any big revelation, but I have not eaten a meat pie for 25 years. Well, that is a bit of an exaggeration, if I MADE it at home, I ate it and I have stolen a taste or two from Kurt in the past few years, but I have NOT opened up, cooked and eaten a meat pie by myself for 25 years. Let me explain... When I was a junior in high school in Drama class we watched a video of the Broadway production of Sweeney Todd. That did it for me, I have not been able to eat a meat pie since! I loved the production, I can still sing a few lines, but boy oh boy did the storyline ever give me the heebee jeebeeies!

Prison-Temple Expereince

I am posting this mainly for me, I wanted to get it down so I would remember it. Yesterday we had a superb 5th Sunday lesson. It was one of those times I was truly thankful I was in attendance. The meeting was on facing adversity with a positive attitude. It opened by a soloist singing I Believe in Christ (one of my favorite's) and then we watched a video entitled, "My New Life" from the church website about Stephanie Nielson, a woman who almost died in a plane crash. She is alive, but her body was severely burned in the crash. One of her statements in the clip says, "I am Stephanie Nielson and I am not my body." I had read her blog before nieniedialogues.com she is a remarkably honest woman you writes about her journey.

After watching this video a woman in our ward spoke. She explained her background. She said on May 1, 2008 she was making pancakes in her home. Her oldest daughter was at school and her 2 1/2 year old daughter and 6 month old daughter were playing around the kitchen when her doorbell rang. She said as she opened her door she saw something NO military wife EVER wants to see, 6 men standing there in full dress uniforms. She was told her husband was killed in a training exercise that morning (by now tears are flowing down my face). She went on to say how she knows she is is being carried because she could not go through this alone. She gave several examples of how she has been blessed by this tragedy.

The bishopric member then got up and talked about points from Elder Holland's talk, "Lessons from Liberty Jail" (Ensign 2009) I would highly suggest you look it up and read it. It is amazing! It talks about how Joseph's time in the Liberty Jail was one of the most trying times in church history, but how it was also a time when Joseph was ever so close to God. (The Liberty Jail has significant meaning to me because of my mission. Me and some other sisters (companions) were able to sleep overnight in the jail, reading the scriptures while in Liberty Jail is an experience I will always hold dear.)

This lesson made me put things a little more into perspective with the pain and frustration I have been experiencing because of my back. I am so thankful I have a testimony of the truthfulness of the gospel.

AJ the artist!

I thought it would be fun to get out the easy watercolor coloring book and let AJ try it out. I used the kind that all you need to do is add water and then the colors show up on the paper. AJ had a ball! He was grinning from ear to ear! After painting two papers, he decided he was a bit thirsty and reached for the water bowl and drank the water. :)

Griffin's First Day of Church

When Griffin had his first check-up the Dr. told us not to take him out much because of RSV, she said he shouldn't go to church until Mother's Day. Today the Gibson group was able to go to church together as a family (although we missed Opa, he wasn't feeling well).

AMEN!

AJ is has been really good to bow his head and fold his arms when it is time to say a prayer. He listens for us to say, "Amen" and then about 1 maybe 2 seconds later he yells out, "AMEN" throws his hands up in the air and has a great big smile on his face. When I say yell, I am not exaggerating! He says amen with gusto!

Today was the first day I went back to church since we were blessed with Griffin. (The Dr. told us not to take him out until Mother's Day.) After every prayer in sacrament meeting our sweet little AJ yelled "AMEN!" The first time it happened I noticed the speakers looking around for who had said it; after the first sacrament prayer the youth speakers were pointing and giggling. I heard several people around us commenting on how endearing they thought it was. It melted my heart! He's a charmer!

Mother's Day

Kurt made sure the boys had something to give me and he also gave me something. They made me feel special. Thank you honey! The boys gave me some See's candy and Kurt bought me a skirt, shirt and sweater so I had a new outfit to wear to church. I was very grateful for the new outfit, it made me feel good. I feel completely blessed to be the mother of two precious little boys. I have waited a long time to be a mother and I am thankful I can now enjoy my two sweet blessings!

We also went over to visit my mom. AJ did his best at saying, "Happy Mother's Day" it sounded more like, "Mudr day!" but he said it with a great big smile! I have a wonderful mother and I am so thankful for the great example she has set for me. I love you Mom!

1st Fat Lip

AJ was running to look outside and crashed onto the hardwood floor. He hit his head pretty good and his front teeth hit his lip. After some loves he didn't seem to mind very much. He liked that he got to eat ice for a little while. AJ thinks ice is like ice cream, he LOVES it! He's pretty easy to please. So here is the first of what I am sure will be many (he's an active little one) fat lips!

Bird Watching

When I was growing up I used to love to look out and see the quail running all over our property. There were several times I would drive in and sit in my car and watch the mommy quail and her little chicks follow her down the driveway. I thought it was neat living with a covey of quail. Well, I finally have another bird I can watch. We have a pheasant living by us. I have seen it several times. It has been in our front yard and our back yard. I got out the camera to take a picture the other day, but as I opened the door, AJ yelled out, "Bird!" I got one quick shot before it went behind the shed. FYI Did you know that quail are members of the pheasant family?

It's Official!

I went in front of the City Counsel on Wednesday night and was officially granted my business license. My preschool's name is "Happy Hands Preschool" It will open in the fall of 2010! I will be meeting with a graphic design artist on Tuesday to develop a logo. I have in mind what I want... little kids hand prints like they have been dipped in tempra paint with a smile in the palm. I figure that way my students can make a logo for themselves on the first day of school! We'll see how it all comes together! I'll post the logo when I get it!

Update: Here are my logo's! I have a horizontal one and a vertical one. I have also created a website (with a lot of help from my nephew, Bryson---THANKS BRYSON!) Check it out... happyhandspreschool.net

The Future's so Bright...

The future's so bright I gotta wear shades (just like my Daddy)!

I do it!

AJ won't be 2 until June, but he is already asserting his independence. When we go to the park he wants to go down the slide all by himself now. AJ was having a blast! Griffin was content being all snuggled up!

Handy Manny

Since I have been home I have discovered the new cartoons for kids. AJ's favorite is Handy Manny. It happens to be on during Good Things Utah...oh the sacrifices we make for our children. ;) Maybe one day we will get a DVR.

Griffin is Smiling!

It has taken awhile, but I can officially say Griffin is smiling as of May 1st! Although I haven't been able to get a real good picture yet. Here is the closest I have been able to get. He's a cutie patootie!