Oh, the places you’ll go!

Sure, when you hear this song you might imagine Gabby Douglas and Jordyn Wieber striking poses, but I recall the first time I heard the tune. It was on my way back from a Market Basket expedition and I was consumed with concern, like usual, about the path to PhD when this song came on the radio. What a comfort!
I do not consider myself a Gospel scholar or a source of wisdom by any means, but I try to gleam from the God-given experiences in my life, and if there is one thing I’ve learned since we left Arizona almost five years ago it is this: home can be anywhere.
Massachusetts has indeed become our home. It has become such through the friends we have made, as we have embraced the work we have been issued, and through the fortification of our family. Do I still miss the hands-free kickstand at the gas pump Arizona offers? Of course. But, mostly, New England has grown on me.
I can’t help but think of the people and families that were asked to relocate in the scriptures and how God blessed them. I know that my family has been blessed in similar ways. 
We started out with a pretty hefty list of graduate schools and whittled it down to eight schools. Two of those schools are in Massachusetts: Harvard University and Massachusetts Institute of Technology. The other six schools are in California, New Jersey, Michigan, Ohio, Texas, and Utah.

Applications are submitted and we anticipate the replies!

 We expect them to come barreling in sometime in March. 

We are excited to see which place He will make our home next.

 

A Few Relocate-ers from the Scriptures:

• Adam & Eve
• The Family of Abraham
• The Family of Lot
• The Family of Jacob
• Moses & the Children of Israel
• Samuel
• Daniel
• Ruth & Naomi
• The Family of Lehi
• The People of Zarahelma (Mulekites)
• The Jaredites

Word Machine

I have newly entered into another chapter of parenthood. The first three or so years of Caleb’s life I have been teaching through rearing, nurturing and play. Now that he is four years old I can say not only am I teaching my child, but I’m educating him. I'm using my professional education to instruct him, so he can acquire skills. It's awesome. Caleb and I aren't always on the same page, but his recent interest is right up my alley.

Caleb has taken to reading and I have been happy to support him (as you can imagine!) I am so proud of him. I was a slow-reader in kindergarten and am glad Caleb won’t have such a tough time with school.(Don't remind me I'll be registering him for Kindergarten in January- eek!)

Things that have worked for Caleb learning to read:

• screen playtime on Starfall (letters and phonics)
• working on and playing with various word machines,

Dry Erase Word Machine, Caleb also liked the Easter Egg Word Families

• practicing reading with BOB Books from the library, and get a family card for every book he reads by himself
• playing Matching and Go Fish with sight words,
• captioning drawings (if he draws an apple, he sounds and writes out the word apple),
• illustrating sentences

Don't mess with Zac. He has a bat, yo.

• pointing out letters and words in the world around us,
• and good old fashion reading time with Mom or Dad.

Video for grandparents: 

BOB BOOK #6, First read through

Pillow Talk

Before school started up Mike removed the side of Nate’s crib turning it into a toddler bed. After the removal of the side Nate promptly tried to retrieve it and restore it back to its proper place.

I could tell- it was going to be a loooooong night. 

And for those of you who have made this venture before know it isn’t just one night. In my experience, it takes about two weeks before any habit is instilled in any child. I don’t know what is magical about fourteen days, but I can’t argue with results. Teaching a child to stay in bed takes consistency and patience, and I often find a good book to read while you play bedtime gestapo is useful.

So. Now my crib is, well, crib-less.
Mind you, the realization struck me a few weeks ago that Nate was no longer a baby. But the absence of a crib is just conclusive. We are a baby-less household.

So, I’m taking advantage of the warm autumn afternoons by letting Nate strut around in his diaper. This attire makes him seem more like a baby, less like a toddler, and comforts this desolate mommy.

Here are some videos of Nate before bedtime showing off some of his vocabulary. He hasn’t been much of a talker. He has always been a very content kid, so he hasn’t ever really needed to communicate with us. He has a very high EQ in my opinion, so I don’t worry about him too much. 

Here is a list of his vocabulary for his baby book:
At 20 months…
can say- dada, mama, bro-bro/bra-bra, nana (banana), wawa (water), bah-bah (bye-bye), uh oh, ow, duck
can make the following animal sounds: moo, quack, woof, meow, pants like a dog, roars (lion, bear, dinosaur, monster), tweets, bahs, monkey oo-oos.
can sign- please, more, help, sorry, all done
can gesture- no, yes, wave hello and good-bye
likes to pretend to- talk on the phone, sleep (great big snores), and be a puppy dog.

Mer-lad (Updated: August 17th)

This summer we signed Caleb up for T-Ball and Swimming Lessons. T-Ball was not a success. After several Saturdays I asked Caleb what his favorite part of his T-Ball practice was and he replied, “Writing my name in the dirt. I also drew a house.” And.... that about sums up his enthusiasm for it.
Swimming, on the other hand, has been amazing for our Caleb.
A pool in Milford (about twenty minutes away) offers three week sessions, M-F for 30 minutes each day. The best part it is FREE. Which doesn’t happen very much in Massachusetts.
Caleb went into the first session (PRE-K Level 2)  not knowing how to swim, and not being too keen on getting anything above his shoulders wet. By the beginning of the second week he was comfortable putting his face in the water. By the end of the second week he was doing bobs.

By the end of the first session the following was checked off on his achievement card:
☑ Enter water by stepping and jumping in
☑ Exit water using ladder, steps or side.
☑ Bob
☑ Front Float, 3 seconds (assisted)
☑ Back Float, 5 seconds (assisted)
He loved his teacher Mary. She came from a large family and was able to handle the herd of preschoolers she taught very, very well.
Caleb was enjoying swimming so much I figured I’d sign him up for the second session- another three weeks. This time, per Mary’s suggestion, I signed him up for  
Pre-K Level 3. Part of me thinks she recommended another class because Caleb tended to cling to her and, well, be goody-excited to be around her. Hehe. That Thomson charm, I tell ya.

For the first two weeks he had Serafina (I kid you not) as his teacher. After his first lesson with her I reminded him to go say ‘thank you’ to Serafina to which he responsed, “I can’t say that!” ("that" being her name) I just told him a simple “Thank you” will do then. He complied. :)
For the last week (this past week) he has had Mike (“Like my daddy! But I sometimes call him (daddy) Michael” - Caleb) as his instructor.
The last Thursday of the session is test day and the last Friday is "fun" day.
Today is Thursday and Caleb crushed his test. In the preschool skill set provided by the American Red Cross the child is expected to demonstrate abilities with assistance. Caleb did all the skills independently. He was so proud. 

Just off the top of my head (since I don’t get his achievement card until tomorrow) he was able to:
☑ bob
☑front float
☑back float
☑ball float
☑front glide several feet
☑hold his breath for 9 seconds (the requirement is only 5 seconds)
☑jump in and swim to the ladder
☑front and back “blast-offs” with float recovery and glide back to the wall.
And  I don’t remember it being on the test, but I do know that Caleb loves to swim underwater- it is his favorite way to get around the pool. His dad taught him that last weekend.

So to sum up:
July 9th, Caleb didn’t like to get his head wet.
15 hours of swimming over the course of six weeks…
August 17th, Caleb can’t keep his head out of the water.

Mike (his dad, not the instructor) and I are trying to figure out a way to keep Caleb swimming in the off season. This is difficult since it requires an indoor pool… and those aren’t free. But we are so happy Caleb has found a sport he enjoys. I think a large portion of his interest was fueled by the Olympics this year. He stayed up every night to watch the swim heats and meets with us. I caught him during his skills assessment today acting bored and flushing his mouth out with the pool water...  

ugh. Thanks a lot, Phelps, for your stellar example of pool etiquette. Welp, there's one reason I'm glad the Olympics is over.

Question: What do you do while your older brother has swimming lessons?  

Answer: Lounge by the pool and have snacks.

-UPDATE-
So, Caleb did not get an achievement card today...

 he got a completion certificate!  

(doesn't he look like the Yao Ming meme here?)  

Which means he has mastered the fundamentals and is ready to move on from PRE-K swimming.

Congrats, Mister Caleb!!!

Sunday Talk, The Temple: A Source of Revelation

 

Two weeks ago I was asked by my Branch President to give a talk at an upcoming Sacrament meeting. Each Sunday Mormons go to church for three hours. One of those hours is dedicated to partaking of the sacrament and other purposes. One of the purposes of Sacrament Meeting is to “provide gospel instruction” and to “strengthen faith and testimony” (Administering the Church [2010], 138). The instruction given during Mormon Sunday services, unlike other religions, is not monopolized by church leaders. All members are given an opportunity to instruct their congregation and share their testimony. My Branch President asked that I give a talk, 12-15 minutes, on the topic of temples, specifically about the temple as a source of revelation.
Here’s most of the talk I gave. The introduction I gave and the testimony at the end of the talk I didn’t script (sorry), so they are excluded:

            Michael and I were able to attend the temple at the beginning of the month. While we waited for the right people to be rounded up so we could perform sealings, we were given a short tour. Just like the rooms in our homes are set apart for different purposes, the rooms in the temple follow suit. During the tour I was shown a room I have never seen before: the nursery. That is place assigned to little children, not born in the covenant, to wait until they are sealed to their parents.

            In the nursery there are plenty of snacks, church movies, copies of the Friend magazine and other wholesome materials to pass the time. There are also closets with white apparel for boys and girls, there is a room occupied with cribs for naps, but what I really want to tell you about is the room our tour guide dubbed the “separation room”. It is a room designated for children who are in need of some, well, quiet time.

            Now, I am a mother of two boys, two very different boys, and my boys have quiet time in our house daily because they just need to be separated from each other (and sometimes even they need to separated from me) in order to keep peace in our household. Yet the idea of such a room in the temple being needed startled me, and maybe you felt the same way as I relayed this tour to you. But as I have thought about the topic given to me for this talk, it makes perfect sense to have a room in the temple where a child might go to separate herself or himself from any commotion, where they can regroup and refocus.

            The topic I have been assigned to speak on is the temple as a source of revelation. As the Church’s website so eloquently puts it, “From the days of the Old Testament, the Lord has commanded His people to build temples- sacred structures where He could teach, guide, and bless them. When the gospel of Jesus Christ was restored in the early 1800s, the Lord again commanded His people to build temples. Regardless of the place or time period, temples are the most sacred place on earth-a place where earth and heaven meet and where we feel close to our Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ.”
            Brothers and sisters, I am a questioner. That is how I learn. So it was not a surprise as I began to prepare for this talk my first thought was about the different questions and concerns I have carried to the temple. I’ll admit that at times those questions or concerns were so heavy the carrying felt more like lugging. The second thing I asked myself was: Why did I bring those questions and those concerns to the temple?

            When I am qualified, I can receive revelation anywhere. So why did I choose to go to that place to receive answers? The word “place” as I thought about it seemed to strike me as incorrect. And I am quite the stickler for diction, so it bothered me until I read the following quote by James E. Faust: "Each temple building is an inspiration, magnificent and beautiful in every way, but the temple building alone does not bless. The endowed blessings and divine functions…come through obedience and faithfulness to… the covenants made." The temple is not just a place where answers are dispensed. The contents of the temple, the covenants and ordinances performed there for the living and the dead, are a source of revelation. We only qualify for those spiritual experiences when 1. we live worthily, 2. prepare, and 3. attend. 

1. LIVE WORTHILY

            I have been very fortunate as I have prepared for this talk. I have been given opportunities that really allowed this talk to form itself. I visited the temple, I substituted a youth Sunday School class, I was present at my Relief Society Sunday meetings, and I was able to attend a RS Presidency meeting, all of these events junctured to me giving this talk today.

            The three youth I taught last week learned about “Remembering the Sabbath Day, to Keep It Holy.” The lesson was from my favorite Church manual to teach from “Preparing for Exaltation” if you haven’t had a chance to look at it- take a peek sometime today. It is marvelous. But what we learned as a class last Sunday was that keeping the Sabbath holy, like many commandments,  is not just about showing obedience. Keeping the Sabbath is but a stepping stone to the paramount, the temple. There are many correlations between Sunday practices and Temple propriety.
            By striving to keep the commandments we are not only qualifying ourselves, but conditioning ourselves for temple attendance. Elder Hales mentions that “it is difficult for youth to understand how present actions will prepare them for or disqualify them from future service opportunities.” In the context of temple service, I think (regardless of age) many may be shortsighted. Let us make a resolve to allow our choices to qualify and condition us to attend the House of the Lord.

2. PREPARE

            As we read about our scriptural counterparts we learn how to prepare to receive revelation at the temple. A pattern emerges quickly:

·         Jacob, in the Old Testament was instructed to “Arise and go up to Beth-el and dwell there.”

·         Nephi, was told to “arise” and get himself into the mountain.

·         Hannah “rose up” to petition at the temple.

·         Joseph Smith “retired” to the grove near his home.

We prepare by going to the temple by arising, emerging from our frailties and the frailties of the world and having hope of a better world. “Arise” is a great word, but I adore the word “retire” as used in Joseph Smith History.

            In retelling of the First Vision we learn that Joseph “labored” and “reflected” on his salvation (a great concern of his) before retiring to offer up the desires of his heart to God.

 

At the Palmyra temple the windows are etched with foliage similar to those found in the Sacred Grove, suggesting the temple itself is a Sacred Grove. A place we can retire and communicate with God.  In my experience I have come to know that a revelation received from exhausted efforts will probably not “wow” anyone- do not expect a grand vision, and don’t expect others to even understand the answer you receive. However, the reception the resultant revelation will have in our heart will be grand. To labor we must be searching the scriptures, pondering, and praying.

3. ATTEND

            Also, as it reads in Joseph Smith History, “After I had retired to the place where I had previously designed to go…” Not only did Joseph Smith search the scriptures and had pondered, but he put forethought to where he would go to inquire of the Lord. We must make the temple a place we design to go and schedule regular visits to the temple. Elder Scott suggests: “When a temple is conveniently nearby, small things may interrupt your plans to go to the temple. Set specific goals, considering your circumstances, of when you can and will participate in temple ordinances. Then do not allow anything to interfere with that plan.” Setting dates to attend the temple has benefited our family whenever we have done it. I have to admit we have fallen off that wagon a couple of times.

            President Benson gave this great testimony and promise about temple attendance, he shared that "Temples are places of personal revelation. When I have been weighed down by a problem or a difficulty, I have gone to the House of the Lord with a prayer in my heart for answers. The answers have come in clear and unmistakable ways. I promise you that, with increased attendance in the temples of our God, you shall receive increased personal revelation to bless your life as you bless those who have died." A recent quote by Elder Scott from this past conference supports that promise, he said, “When we are acting as instruments in behalf of others, we are more easily inspired than when we think only of ourselves. In the process of helping others, the Lord can piggyback directions for our own benefit.” Temple attendance and the work performed there on the behalf of others conduces personal revelation.

           

            During the dedicatory prayer of the Boston Temple, President Hinckley implored for the members of this very branch and other members in this area, he prayed, “We pray that Thy people in this temple district may make themselves worthy of every blessing to be found here. May they come, pure in heart and clean in hand, to the House of the Lord with gratitude in their hearts for the marvelous blessings to be gained here. May they be endowed with power from on high and be granted a knowledge of things sacred and divine. May the covenants which they make be binding upon them. Keep them always in the way they should walk. May they sense the wonders of the blessings of eternity to be gained here and here alone.” Brothers and sisters, have you sensed those wonders? Have you sought after them?

            Before I conclude with my testimony, I want to share with you a passage of scripture. It came to mind as I pondered that room in the temple nursery, the separation room. The temple is very much our separation room. It separates us from our toils and spinnings for a moment and allows us to refocus. It also reinforces God’s love and His plan for His Children. As I have made temple covenants, and have made the temple my separation room, I have learned and been persuaded, as Paul in this passage has, that there is one thing I cannot be separated from.
Romans 8: 35-37, 39
Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword?
Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us.
For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come,
Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

[Testimony]

Want to learn about Temple worship? Check out this webpage  or, you know, you can always ask me. ;)

Cherry-Coated

Take a peek! I'm guest posting over at my pal Geneva's blog.

Hey, blogging is blogging, people.

The Quiet Before the Change

 

Raising the Screw

A few disclaimers before I begin this post:
First, I am no way a child development expert. I am only a mother, but as so, I believe in a God who ordains women to nurture and rear His children, granting those women needed insights in fulfilling this sacred responsibility. This has been my experience with my son and other “Screws” I have “mothered” and the insights that have come from day-to-day desperation and petition to an understanding Father.

Secondly, we are all a little bit “Screwy” and there is nothing wrong with being a Screw. I debated entitling this blog post “Taming the Screw” but despite the clever pun it did not convey the correct message. I am not trying to break or tame my son, I am raising him. He is not a disaster; he is a beautifully orchestrated person. He was masterfully made, and my husband and I recognize that. God needs both Screws and Nails to build his Kingdom.

Thirdly, this post is mainly meant for me. To remind me of those insights I have been granted in the nurturing and raising of my son. If this post ends up assisting others, that would be just gravy.

Two nights ago around 11:45 Nathanael, my youngest, decided that the old adage about misery and company was true. He has been teething recently and was miserable. Since the semester was coming to a close, Michael was occupied with his schoolwork. This left me on call to Nate and his assaulting molars. It was around 2:30 in the morning, after doses of Tylenol and teething tablets and lovin’ had been administered that I decided it was time to put Nate back into his crib, so I could get some sleep.

I got comfortable on the couch, so I wouldn’t have to hear him cry, and said a prayer because I was feeling bad for my sonshine and like a maternal failure. When you are exhausted, you are warned about operating heavy machinery. In addition to that that warning I would mention heavy meditation unless you want big answers. I prayed that angels would attend my sons while I rested for just a little while and that I was sorry for being impatient and that I needed help being a better mother. And before I went to sleep a thought came into my mind. And it was this…

Caleb is a screw.
Nathanael is a nail.

I could have just chalked the odd thought up to fatigue and moved on, but I kept thinking about it the next day. And the next day (which is today). And I have come to the conclusion that truer words were never spoken about my sons.

Indeed, Caleb is a screw, and Nate (without a doubt) is a nail.

A screw has rivets, is threaded, so when placing it into wood or other materials it needs to be rotated. Repeated rotation drives the screw in deeper. It takes more time to place a screw, but it hard to remove unless you have the right tool. Screws are used on projects when strength is needed.

A nail is smooth and is driven into wood or other materials with little effort or force. Nails are faster for construction - you drive a nail in and move on. Generally we use nails for light-weight projects or aesthetic-related projects such as, roofing, flooring or hanging pictures.

Often a person who is a Screw is:

• imaginative
• resourceful
• methodical
• curious
• passionate
• intense
• extreme or almost bipolar
• intellectual
• silly, easily excited
• contemplative
• precise
• determined
• inventive
• detached
• easily aggravated if thrown off “groove”
• detail-oriented
• one who is sensitive to patterns, can recognize trends easily
• consistent

Do you know and love a Screw? Me too! (I married one in fact.)

Screws tend to be the best teachers because of the way they learn. Screws assemble their knowledge of a subject by dissembling the topic. Since they have digested the topic, they can reach a variety of students with diverse levels of understanding.

Screws choose a subject or activity not because they are accomplished in that given field, but because they are fascinated by it. That fascination is what makes them successful.

You can recognize a Screw by how they speak to you. These are the people who take three minutes to tell you  a 15 second anecdote. They want you to know the context because they believe it will deepen your understanding of the tale. It eludes them that their audience can possibly draw connections and conclusions for themselves.

Possibly, when you read the above list of qualities you thought of autism and its vast spectrum. I am convinced that the severely autistic are Screws that have already been fastened into place and are just waiting for the rest of us to catch up. : )

So, your child is Screw, now what?

In simplest terms: find their groove. Establish a routine and explore an assortment of subjects, hobbies and activities that they might enjoy. 

What Screws Love…

Predictable Routines and Being Informed. 

Caleb thrives on routines and has grown to ask daily about possible variables such as if people are coming over to our house or if we are going outside that day. Explaining and describing the day’s agenda to a Screw is very important. It is a source of comfort. I started talking to Caleb about our routine when he was an infant and only got more descriptive as his comprehension advanced.

Collecting and Observing. 

At an early age you will notice your Screw likes to collect things. This is an outward practice of their internal process. They observe and put things in order. They will also be less likely to join in with others during play. They will be the ones on the outskirts of the circle watching. They aren’t being anti-social for them this is play and study. 
Caleb recently has been observing the seeds we started. I made a calendar and each day Caleb would draw what he observed. Activities similar to this are great for Screws. They also like sorting and arranging.

Quiet Time and “Nothing” Box. 

Caleb enjoys playtime by himself because it allows him to play/process the day’s activities. He spends his time constructing towers and pretending. Screws have Nothing Boxes too.

Themes. 

Every two weeks when I haul Caleb’s stack of books to the circulation desk I am usually asked if I am a teacher because the books have a common theme and surely I must be teaching a thematic unit. Our favorite librarian, Nancy, always smiles and says “Looks like Caleb is interested in [insert topic] this week.” In the past we have done all sorts of holidays, presidents, dragonflies, trees, weapons of war, trains, cats, dogs, dinosaurs, the human body, marsupials, Eric Carle, Mo Willems, Chris Brown’s Arthur books and I’m sure there is more that I am just forgetting. For a Screw to learn there is planning involved. It is not enough to just read from a book or watch a video. They want to experience it, so that means crafts, activities, experiments, and structure. 

Repetition. 

Repeated rotation drives the Screw in deeper. Your child is going to rely on repetition and reviewing for secular learning and for their behavior. Flashcards are helpful for secular, but don’t rely on them. The best form of repetition is a routine and the best method of reviewing is conversation with your child. Don’t get frustrated when your child becomes absentminded just help remind them of the forgotten and review it with them.

Responsibility. 

All children need chores and to help out around the house, but a Screw craves them. It helps him bring order to his home. Caleb’s favorite chore is putting away the silverware, but he also enjoys putting clothes away, setting the table, preparing ingredients for meals, and wiping off the table. Tell your child they are a hard-working and give lots of hugs.

Praise and Concurring.

 Screws like to be genuinely congratulated for accomplishments, but if you really want a Screw to feel loved you agree with them. You concur that the observation they made was insightful, that their field of study is interesting and that their hobbies are worth-while.

Tough Love: What Screws Need but Don’t Want

This is the hardest part of being a parent, making sure your child's needs are met.

Friends. 

Your Screw doesn’t see the need for friends. But your Screw will have to interact with people throughout their life, so exposure to humankind is a good investment. Join a playgroup, drop in on a story hour, sign-up for a class. All your child needs is that one good friend. Quality over quantity.

New Things. 

Getting a child to try something new is hard enough, but with a Screw it is nearly impossible. The key is to try new things not like new things. They have to try it, but don’t have to like it. This includes foods, places, people, and activities.

Understand Social Mores. 

Teach your child about emotions (sad, mad, happy, scared) using a book featuring children’s facial expressions. Teach them manners. Begin teaching them about rudeness versus politeness at an early age. You will have to enlighten your Screw when they are being rude because they won’t notice. (Yes, think Sheldon Cooper. He is completely a Screw.)

Conversation. 

Asking your child questions about his day and the things he enjoys will help his speech and social development. Your child is aloof and won’t want to be pulled out from his shell, but prodding won’t harm him.

Hard Love- What is Difficult for Parents.

Directness and Consistency. 

When it comes to a Screw you have to speak plainly in sparse words. Because everything about your parenting is a routine to the Screw. If it takes you five minutes to get your child to follow directions it is going to take you five minutes every time. Not because they are disobedient but because they expect the whole routine every single time. It’s the order that compels them to obey. Their obedience is usually a result not an active choice (at least this is the case in early childhood). The success of your parenting is using their understanding of cause and effect. You need rules and consequences and you need to be consistent with them, so the rules become a routine for the child.

Sports. 

Every child should play a sport and yours is no exception. Find something. Dance, gymnastics, track, and tennis are not considered social sports but are great exercise. Don’t shy away from team sports. Give them a chance. Don’t expect him to be exceptional but expect the experience to be enriching and edifying.

Limited Screen Time.

Your Screw’s mind wasn’t meant to sit in front of a screen (actually none of ours were). It will dull his senses and his creativity, not to mention he will become irritable. Of all the things your child will immerse himself in video games and television will be the least productive. Recreational activities tend to turn into habitual with Screws. Beware.

Not a Screwball. 

It is a hard balancing act to accommodate your child but not pamper or hinder them. Your job as a parent to raise this child to be able to function in society as an independent, upstanding citizen. Being a Screw is an asset and will not hinder your child in any way. All children are taught tools by their parents that will help them navigate through life. For example, for Caleb that has meant learning to count to five and take a deep breath when things catch him off guard or going to his room to calm down instead of getting frustrated and holding others hostage to his rigid ideals.


Raising Caleb is awesome. He is brilliant, and curious about the world around him. He is tender and thinks being a big brother to Nate is a real joy. I absolutely love my son, and he is only going to grow better with age as he matures and finds his niche (his father is proof of that). I just need to remember sometimes that he processes things differently than I do and needs extra encouragement. Just like all kids.

Birthdays!

Someone turned 4! Can you guess who?... That's right, our adorable Caleb!
He is getting so big. He asked for “A pigeon drive a bus” cake. We are huge Mo Willems fans over here at casa de Thomson. Caleb also chose the dinner- a natural coupling with the themed cake: hotdogs. He also picked the sides: bananas and chips. (check out those classic New England hotdog buns, yeesh)


For his birthday he received a sprinkler (he is just itching for some warm weather), kid-sized yard tools, gardening gloves, a toy vacuum, lincoln logs, toy cars, binoculars, and glow-in-the-dark stars.

You know, typical geeky Caleb stuff. We sure do love him. :)

I just was made aware that I never posted anything for Nathanael’s birthday. Curse of the subsequent child, I’m afraid. So here is the break down his celebration.

I made a small Ah-lah-yah (or however you want to spell it) cake using blue frosting and almond bark for details. It is a known fact that fondant and babies don’t mix. Heck, most adults and fondant don't mix. ;)


Nate received his very own Ah-lah-yah as a birthday gift and there was much, much rejoicing. A life-long dream had been realized. (And lost since I have no idea where his blue friend is at the moment!)


We love our boys so much and couldn’t imagine life without them... we speculate it would be terribly dull and not nearly as cute, though.

Caleb turns 4!

Project Semi-annual, Spring 2012

Diverse Conference experiences captured and shared.
(Probably the easiest way to invite someone into your home for Conference without the clean-up!)



Here’s the gist: take some pictures that reflect your Conference weekend, create an online album or blog post and share, please! Leave a comment on THIS post. Invite others to join in the fun, but REMEMBER TO tell friends to post back here so others (okay, mostly me) can enjoy.







For more Project Semi-annual posts go {here}

Next to Me

I guess

you can consider this a mushy Valentine’s Day post.

{SORRY}

The other day I heard a cover of an Emrli Sandé song (Next to Me). I fell head over beat for this song. It describes my husband perfectly. How could I not love him?

Listen to the cover here and
below are the lyrics…

You won’t find him drinking at the table
Rolling dice and staying out til 3
You won’t ever find him being unfaithful
You will find, you will find him next to me

You won’t find him trying to chase the devil
For money fame power out of grief
You won’t ever find him where the rest go
You will find him, find him next to me

Next to me ooooh
Next to me ooooh
Next to me ooooh
You will find him, you’ll find him next to me

When the money’s spent and all my friends have vanished
And I can’t seem to find no help or love for free
I know there’s no need for me to panic
Cause I’ll find him, I’ll find him next to me

When the skies are grey and all the doors are closing
And the rising pressure makes it hard to breathe
All I need is a helping hand to stop the tears from
falling
I will find him, will find him next to me

Next to me ooooh
Next to me ooooh
Next to me ooooh
You will find him you’ll find him next to me

When the end has come and buildings falling down fast
When we spoilt the land and dried up all the sea
When everyone’s lost their head around us
You will find him, you’ll find him next to me

Next to me ooooh
Next to me ooooh
Next to me ooooh
You will find him, you’ll find him next to me

If this song reminds you of a man in your life, please tell him! I don’t think they hear it enough! It’s hard to be a good man nowadays. I'm glad my husband is up for the labor. : )

20 Answers. 1 Question.

Today I asked Caleb one question repeatedly… twenty times, actually.
The question was,

“What makes you happy?”

Here are his transcribed twenty answers, they’ll probably surprise you:
1. Eating hash browns with my mommy.
2. Putting away the forks, the knives, the spoons and the baby spoons.
3. Mommy reading stories to me.
4. Playing in quiet time.
5. Playing with swords like Captain Moroni.
6. Playing outside.
7. Putting away my dishes in the sink.
8. Mommy makes me smile.
9. Singing Scripture Power.
10. Watching Super Why.
11. Watching movie.
12. Eating French fries, grapes, ketchup, mustard, pull-apart bread and sauce, pizza and sauce, and mac n’ cheese.
13. Making food with momma like sweet potatoes.
14. Playing with Nate.
15. Playdoh.
16. Drawing in my dinosaur book.
17. Playing Candyland. And Hullabou too.
18. Tickles make me laugh. Daddy tickles me too. And I’m not a baby.
19. I do follow the rules.
20. Hugs.

Caleb liked it when I read the list back to him . He was grinning from ear-to-ear and gave me a big hug. He then pointed to last scribble on the paper and said, "Hugs. Just like there."

[heart melt]

And for the record…

I’ve never made sweet potatoes with this kid in my life.

A Sunbeam

Caleb spent most of his time wandering around the Primary room and talking to Diana (mother of his best friend, and Primary pianist) his first day. He likes to pretend the CTR ring he was given is a tiny crown (he's a king). The theme this year for Primary is Choose the Right which is an excellent start to the Primary organization for our little guy. There are eight active children in his class. His teacher is Rhonda Hansen who was also his nursery leader, so she is very prepared (not to mention very equipped) to handle Caleb. Pray for her though. She'll need all the help she can get. Haha.

I'm slightly heart-broken I'm no longer serving in the Primary Presidency and that I wasn't there for Caleb's first day, but overall, I'd say, the feelings I possess are that of relief. I am trying to like Relief Society. My calling as Secretary is way easier than any other calling I've ever had. And gives me a lot of free time (hence the blogging, the crafting, and the adventures).

I'm just trying to enjoy this time before something else pops up (something always does, doesn't it?)