Nathan @18 Months Old

With three boys, wrestling is pretty much a nonstop game/fight in our house. 

At 18 months, Nathan:

• Is very attached to his muslin baby blanket and sneaks it out of his crib whenever he gets the chance. He started chewing on it to fall asleep as a teething baby and has loved it ever since. 
• Is a mama's boy until he hears the sound of the garage door opening at dinner time each night. Then he runs to wait for Ryan to walk through the door, all the way chanting, "dadadadadadadadadadadadadadadadadadadadadadadadadadada!!!!!!!"
• Is starting to speak more and more and has even picked up a few phrases that he must hear around the house on a daily basis. Some of his favorites are:
• "No I'm not!"
• "Go get it!"
• "What the??"
• "I don't know!"
• Still has trust issues with all of his siblings because, while they don't ever mean to hurt him, they all have to be reminded that he is a person, not a toy. He is STILL more fun to play with than any toy in the playroom. Maybe it's time to get a wii. I love that they love him but sometimes I wish I didn't have to remind them of boundaries with him so much.  
• Loves to eat string cheese, apple sauce, clementines, chick peas, milk, and anything sweet. He turns his nose up at raw vegetables but is my only child that will eat any and all of the dinners I cook with a big smile on his face. 
• Loves books but hates to sit and read them. Just carries them around and tears them apart. I'm not sure I've ever actually read him an entire story from beginning to end. 
• Is 30 lbs of solid chub. I heart big babies.
• Went to nursery class at church for the first time last week. Epic meltdown doesn't adequately describe his reaction. 
• Is perfecting the art of climbing ON things but can't climb OFF of them. Multiple times a day I find him crying on top of the stool, chairs, and most recently the kitchen table because he's gotten himself stuck. True to form with my other children, he is a constant danger to himself at this age. 
• Loves to play outside or be anywhere that the big kids are. 
• Gives the best hugs. 
• Stands at my feet, barking, "MOM! MOM! MOM! MOM! MOM!" until I pick him up. It's hard not to give into him. I readily admit that it's hard not to give into him. 
• Has the blondest, cutest curly head of hair. I definitely have an unhealthy attachment to his locks and I'm not afraid to admit it. 

This toddler of ours just rules the roost around here, and his smile can light up a room. We love him so much. 

Photo courtesy of the D-man.

On Gratitude

Over the past week or so I experienced a couple of unfortunate events---nothing earth-shattering, or even consequential in the grand scheme of things, but just disappointing enough to make me grumpy and ungrateful. And so, at a time of year when the rest of the world was focusing on the abundance of their blessings, I was acting anything but grateful. It was about this time while I was perfecting the art of feeling sorry for myself that I came across this quote shared by a friend:

When you're looking for joy you will always find it hiding in your gratitude. --Ann Voskamp

I have thought of it over and over since I read it. And I believe it. I love President Uchtdorf's talk, "Grateful in any Circumstance," and President Monson's conference address from a few years ago, "The Divine Gift of Gratitude." I have really been trying to have a more grateful heart and it has helped me to be happier more than any other singular effort that I have put forth. I think that Heavenly Father must get really frustrated with me at times because this is a lesson that I have had to learn over and over and over (and most certainly will learn again in the not-so-distant future). As a mother, when my children show gratitude for the things that I do for them, it really motivates me to serve them even more. I can't help but wonder if God isn't exactly the same way, especially when we are sincere and heartfelt about our thanks to Him. President Monson said, in the talk reference above, that "Sincerely giving thanks unlocks the doors of heaven and helps us feel God's love."
I have much to be grateful for. I hope I can remember to find happiness by showing gratitude, even during times of discouragement and trial.
Here are four little people that I am grateful for:

One of the lucky two at Thanksgiving dinner who scored a turkey leg.  

It was too cold for sane humans to swim on Thanksgiving day, but that didn't stop our Davey and his siblings.

Nater's happy face.

A Jedi is always prepared, even with a helmet during cookie decorating, just in case.  

From the Mouth of My Babe

Media Overload during the cousins' visit a couple of weeks ago.

This afternoon I was running errands with the kids when Maddie started asking me a bunch of questions about the Man in the Big Red Suit:

"Mom, was Santa around when you were a girl? Did he give you presents? Did you ever see him? Why does he have to stay so hidden all of the time? What happens when Santa dies? Who will take over? His son? His wife? The elves? The reindeer? Who????????"

From the Mouth of My Babe

Maddie with her cousin, Harper, last week when they came for a visit. Synchronized swimming?

While thumbing through some of Isaac's papers after school I asked him, "Isaac, are you interested in attending a wrestling camp over Christmas break?"

After a moment's thought, he replied in all seriousness, "Nah, I'd rather do Kung-Fu or take ninja classes." And then he followed his response with an Napoleon-Dynamite-like air kick.

Priorities

I have been thinking a lot lately about priorities and how to keep my most important ones at the center of my life. This is not an easy thing for me. I feel like there are constant distractions that try to pull me away from what is most important. While most of these distractions aren't inherently bad, they shouldn't be given the amount of time and attention that they sometimes get. I love the most recent conference address by Elder Quentin L. Cook entitled "Choose Wisely." It was given during the Priesthood session of conference but I think it can apply to men and women alike. One of the most meaningful quotes for me from his address stated:

"Sometimes it feels like we are drowning in frivolous foolishness, nonsensical noise, and continuous contention. When we turn down the volume and examine the substance, there is very little that will assist us in our eternal quest toward righteous goals. One father wisely responds to his children with their numerous requests to participate in these distractions. He simply asks them, 'Will this make you a better person?'”

I have tried to ask myself that question as well as I go about my day to day life. Will this make me a better person? Though I have a long way to go, it has helped me begin to choose with a little bit more wisdom just how I use my time. I would love your thoughts on how you have found success in keeping your priorities in check and how you have made time for what is most important even with so many distractions. 

We all worry about our kids. I know you worry about yours. I worry about mine. Sometimes it is easy to feel overwhelmed with all the evil that there is in the world. How will I ever protect my children from the constant pull of pornography? How can I raise them to hear the still, small voice of the Spirit over all the "nonsensical noise" that constantly surrounds them? And how can I teach them how loved they are despite my imperfections and lack of parenting know-how? I was talking to Ryan about getting discouraged-because I have no idea what I'm doing when it comes to motherhood. I told him that even when I feel I am giving it all I can, I always end up lacking. He lovingly reminded me that no one is perfect and I realized that all I can do is give it my best each day. That is just what the Atonement of Jesus Christ is all about. I can give it my all, and it won't be enough. But Christ will make up the difference. He always does. And even though there will continue to be increasing darkness throughout the world, the light of His Gospel is burning brighter than ever. And light always trumps the dark. Always. He really can make all things right. I am thankful for the peace that knowledge brings.