Christian

Monday was Christian's birthday. Unfortunately, I am having computer problems and can't upload any photos. Those will have to come later. However, I would like to share with you some of my favorite things about Christian.

*He is FUNNY. He says funny things and makes funny faces. Recently, he asked how babies get out. I asked if he really wanted to know. He said, "I mean, do they come out the mouth?" He then acted out what this would look like (which was funny enough!) and then said, "OOPS, I just bit my baby!" We laughed so hard that he forgot about the original question.

*He has old man eyebrows. Not cute on old men. Irresistible on a little boy. He knows how to work them, too.

*He is the most generous child - no, person - I have ever met. He is so willing to give and share and love.

*He is smart. His brain works like no one's I have ever met. It is always going, figuring things out. Plus, he is a math whiz.

*He loves me. Sometimes he doesn't show it (or maybe sometimes when I think he's not showing it, he's actually saying, "Mom, I'm upset right now and I know that if I act this way now, although there will be consequences, you will still love me. I am safe."). He often tells me that he loves me and that he thinks I am the best mom in the world. Precious boy.

*He is snuggly.

*He has the greatest laugh I have ever heard. It is contagious. I can't imagine that Scrooge himself could resist that laugh.

*He is our Zebra. Before he was born, we asked Ashton what she thought we should name the new baby. She said Zebra. And she was serious. When we told her that he would be named Christian, but that she could call him Zebra if she wanted to, she sobbed. He was Zebra. When she met him for the first time after he was born, she walked right up to him and pet his tiny head and said, "Hi, baby Zebra." He is still Zebra sometimes.

*He is a friend to everyone.

*He has a testimony. He loves the scriptures.

This is just a short list of things I love about him. He is a blessing to our family and I am so grateful for him. I have learned so much from being his mom. I love that boy.

Some Angels I Know

Pregnancy is hard. Not only am I sick, but I get pregnancy depression and some other junk. It is not a party, I tell you. This past week has been emotionally one of the hardest I can remember. Well, and physically, too. I won't go into details, but let's just say that among other things, Doug was out of town for part of it and I was too sick to get out of bed for two days. My house fell apart around me. It was the dirtiest it has EVER been. Plus, I was sick and depressed, as you will remember. I felt like everything might be more than I could bear. So, I prayed. I had been praying all along, but this time it was different. This time I asked to feel that the Lord was aware of me. I knew that He was, but was feeling terribly alone and wanted to FEEL His awareness.

A short time later, I got a call from my friend Tiffany. She said, "Jessica, I've been talking to Amy and Sara. We've decided to form a house-cleaning group where we go to each other's houses once a week and clean. It's always easier to clean when you are with friends. Then, your house is really clean once a month. Do you want to join us?"

"I would love to, but I'm so sick and I don't know how much I can do..."

She interrupted me. "I know. That's why were starting tomorrow with your house and all you have to do is make sure the kids stay alive..."

I started sobbing. That ugly sob. In her poor ear. She forgave me, though, I think. She just said, "I'll take that as a yes. There's only one rule. You're not allowed to be embarrassed. We'll be there at 10."

Those three angels showed up at my house and cleaned it. Really cleaned it. At first I was really embarrassed, in spite of the rule, because it was, as I said, the worst it has EVER been. But, they just worked with such love and compassion that it filled my whole house and my whole heart and left no room for embarrassment.

My Heavenly Father knew what I needed the most right then and He wanted me to know that He knew it. So, he whispered into the ears of some angels and sent them my way to answer my prayer in a way I hadn't imagined.

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Potty Mouth

Why do adventures always take place on the potties, I ask you?

One day, Doug came into the kitchen laughing so hard he could barely stand up. There were tears streaming from his eyes. "Your baby is so funny," he said.

"Why? What happened?"

He proceeded to tell me a story. You see, Roxie has a toy phone. It's a very smart phone. About ten seconds after you put it down, it rings. That way the kids stay interested.

So the story begins. Roxie went into the bathroom (the master bathroom, Doug was in our room watching the whole thing) and put the phone on the counter. She got ready and just as she was climbing onto the potty, the phone rang. What is a girl to do? She climbed down and answered it. "Hello? Hi! How are you? I'm fine, thanks for asking. Bye." She put the phone down and ran back over to the potty. No sooner had she climbed up than the phone rang. A little exasperated, she climbed down and answered it. "Hello? Hi. How are you? I'm fine, thanks for asking. Bye." And she ran back to the potty. She climbed up and - you guessed it - the phone rang again. Who could it be this time? But, she dutifully hopped down and answered the phone, having the same conversation as always, this time while doing a potty dance. Doug said she did this about ten times before she realized that she could bring the phone with her. She did so and was finally able to find relief while chatting.

A few days later, while we were at the gym waiting for the big kids to finish their JiuJitsu classes, Roxie decided she needed to go potty. I let her go in the stall by herself. It was her first time. She went in, did her business, and flushed. Then, in a panicky voice she said, "MOM, THE WATAY!" (She doesn't say her R's. She replaces them with an AY. It just wouldn't be the same if I told you she yelled WATER.) No sooner did she say it than I heard the water spilling over the top of the toilet and on to the floor. Apparently the previous user of that stall had used too much TP.

"Open the door!" I screamed.

"THE WATAY!" she screamed.

"Unlock the door!" I screamed.

"THE WATAY!" she screamed.

"Unlock the door!" I screamed.

"THE WATAY! THE WATAY!" she screamed.

Finally, I screamed louder and she regained focus for just long enough to unlock the stall door. I scooped her up and had to run downstairs and tell the big muscle-men at the front desk that the potty had flooded.

Never a dull moment with the potties, I tell you.

A Visit with George Washington

One day, we went to the pool, as we often do. As we were playing in the water, a grasshopper found us. We played with him for a while and then let him go on dry ground. Then, he found us again. And again. And again.

Finally, Shan suggested to Roxie, "Shall we name him?" Roxie thought so. "What should we name him? George?"

Roxie was thrilled. "Yeah! George Washington!"

I'll admit, my jaw hit the bottom of the pool. Roxie is TWO. How does she know about George Washington? I asked Doug that very question and he just responded with, "Have you met you?" It's true. I love the Founding Fathers and George Washington, in particular, but I haven't really discussed it with Roxie.

Anyway, although we didn't have our camera, the next time we visited the pool, we had it with us. And who should happen by, but George Washington himself!

(Oddly enough, we also ran into him on the sidewalk by Sunflower Market and even once on our windshield. That guy really gets around!)

Christian Grows a Tail

Yesterday, Christian had earned various jobs. We had made plans, though, previously, so he was going to have to wait on the jobs. He said, "I want to stay here and work on my tail." What? "I want to stay here and work on my tail." I was positive that none of his jobs involved a tail. Then, had you been watching me, you would have seen a light bulb appear above my head.

"Do you mean you want to stay here and work your tail off?"

"YES!"

I love that guy.

The Fourth of July

I love the 4th of July. In the area where I live, the celebrations last for three days. We didn't make it to everything I wanted to, but here are just a few of the things we did:

I volunteered at Ellis Island in the Park. I believe in their message. It is one of patriotism, freedom, and liberty. As part of this experience, visitors may listen to a presentation about Ellis Island and hear (via video) actual Ellis Island immigrants share their experiences. Visitors then walk around a huge star made of flags and at each inside and outside point, read about the milestones of freedom and make certain commitments. Number six says, "Are you willing to have hope in America, even when all looks lost?" Number seven says, "Are you willing to pray for America?" I needed those. Visitors then take a citizenship test and then an oath of citizenship. I always volunteer to give the tests because I cry when I hear the oath, let alone having to give it. They also put on a fantastic musical. The whole thing is a beautiful experience. Everyone should go next year.

Ashton had some very cool Fourth of July hair.

We also went to see the hot-air balloons. I am worse than the kids. I got so excited. I think everyone should see the sky full of hot-air balloons. Especially the pig one. It is amazing.

Christian and I ran the one mile fun run. I was so proud of him. He didn't walk at all. He ran the whole way. Way to go, Christian! It was a fantastic mom/son experience. I hope he will want to keep running.

By the way, we tied. I made sure of it.

Then, we went to the parade. The weather was lovely and we had a great time. Some cousins from TX and NM were there. We thoroughly enjoyed ourselves.

Plus, in case you forgot, Roxie is cute.

Then, we went to my in-laws' for lunch with all of those cousins.

We had a wonderful meal with too much food, for which I was so grateful. I kept thinking, THIS is abundance. We are so blessed. Here is a picture of all of us:

Then, we came home and napped. Roxie slept for three hours and we still had to wake her up.

We went to some friends' house, where we barbecued and set off some fireworks. It was lots of fun.

It was a wonderful holiday. I love our country. I love celebrating it.