The Present

Last night we were talking to Cougar about his part in the nativity at Grandma Steele's house. He wanted to dress up like the stable and Mark and I were trying to convince how cool it would be to be a shepherd or a donkey or something that we have a costume for. He piped up "I want to be the special present for Baby Jesus. I want to be gold, frankenstein and myrrh!" I didn't correct him. He's got his whole life to figure out how to say it right...

Promises Kept

The state of the economy has been hard on us as I'm sure it has on so many of you. We've been struggling to keep our heads above water and have seen so many little miracles in our lives lately I just wanted to share a little bit of the part of my testimony that has been growing so much lately. I know that tithing works! I don't want to say that paying our tithing is a burden, but when we've got so many places for money to go and not near enough money, it gets really hard for me to pay that 10%. We've focused on making sure our tithing is the first "bill" paid and what a difference it has made. The miracle is this, the numbers don't match. If you sit down and actually work the math it doesn't make sense. There's more going out than coming in, I know it. That's a tremendous blessing. Another miracle is a very generous secret Santa gift left on our porch. Other gifts have been given from family and ward members that have made this Christmas a very memorable one.

Another, Mommy has more patience. I've recently been thinking about a line from Evan Almighty (no, I don't usually get inspiration from Steve Carrell, but he makes me laugh really hard.) The movie said "When people pray for patience, are they given patience OR are they given the OPPORTUNITY to be patient?" Wow, that got me thinking. Every night I pray for more patience with my active, little guy and every morning I am granted the opportunity to see what Heavenly Father has blessed me with. I just need to always remember that he's right there beside me and that everything I do with Cougar can go one of two ways.

Another miracle happened just a few minutes ago and it's what got me wanting to share. It's such a small thing, but it meant a lot. A few years ago I made us stockings. Mark and Cougar's are made out of matching camo fabric. I realized that Phoenix didn't have one and didn't want him to be left out. (Not that he cares now, but in a few years he will care that Daddy and Cougar have stockings that match) Well, I was all prepared to go to the fabric store later to see if I could find something similar, I was scrounging up all the change I could find to pay for it, when I had the feeling to go look in a particular box in the garage. When I did, there was left over fabric with plenty to make a matching stocking for Chubs. Little things like this have been happening to us all the time lately. How grateful we are not only for the blessings, but for the ability to recognize them for what they truly are. One of the greatest blessings we've received is realizing how much more enjoyable the season is when we don't get caught up in the commercialism of it. I've made several presents for the family and can't wait to see the reaction. More so, than the gifts I did end up buying. I'm so excited! What an amazing Christmas season!

Snow Day

We woke up to a few inches of fresh snow on the ground. What a beautiful sight, I just love untouched snow. Well, it couldn't stay untouched for long, Cougar was anxious to play in it. I dug out his snow things and found my snow boots. Phoenix was well fed, changed and just settling down to a nice nap in his favorite place, the swing. I decided to go out with Cougar and give him some well deserved one-on-one time with Mommy. We had a blast! The first thing he did was lay down and make some snow angels.


We had a snowball fight. He had a little trouble so I had to make the ammo and hand it to him so he could throw it at me. We tried to make a snowman, but I just couldn't get it to work. I rolled it and rolled it, but it wouldn't get an bigger. We checked out the classic Rudolph the Red nosed Reindeer from the library and Cougar's watched it a million times. He's taken it all to heart. He yelled at me "Hey Mom! Let's play some reindeer games!" "Okay, how do you play" We then reenacted the movie with him as Rudolph and me with all the other characters as needed.
He really liked this giant snowball and wanted to save it in his room. I'm a fun hater and wouldn't let him. I'm in the running for the meanest mommy award. Just ask him, he'll tell you.
When we were all done outside we got some cups and filled them with snow. I happened to have sno cone flavors just waiting for us in the cupboards. Cougar had two snow cones and loved them. It was so fun to have some time for him. He's such a sweet big brother and he's been working so hard at getting potty trained. (He's only had 2 accidents in the past 4 days, wahoo!!) My favorite part I think was when he was using "snow" and "winter" interchangeably "Mommy, look! The kitty's playing in the winter, too!"

A Dinner Conversation

Cougar "How the doctors see our bones?"

Mommy "With an X-ray machine."

Cougar "Can the doctors see Jesus in our bones?"

Mommy "No, you can't see Jesus, you feel him."

Cougar "Where?"

Mommy "In your heart."

Cougar "Where?"

Mommy "In your heart." I now put my hand over my heart.

Cougar "By your shoulder?"

Mommy "Umm....yes."

Cougar "Okay" He goes back to scarfing his pasta.

Zwaggle

I just discovered this website and had to share with all those that I know love a deal. It's a little like free cycle, but with kids stuff. Here's a little bit taken off their homepage. Check it out. It looks cool. www.zwaggle.com

Zwaggle is a national network of parents who have come together to share.

It's simple: You receive Zwaggle points (or Zoints) by giving your gently used things to other families, then use those Zoints to obtain "new" things for your family. Sound financially smart? Ecologically responsible? Like a fun way to provide for your kids? It is!

Phoenix Update

We blessed Phoenix on Sunday and it was such a special day. Mark did a really good job with the blessing. It was so amazing to have our families together. Lorraine made the tux, doesn't he look so sweet? My dad made his famous Chicken Noodle Soup for the get together afterward and I should have told him there were twice as many people coming so we would have lots of leftovers. Cougar fell asleep on Grandma Davis' couch around 6. So, we stayed and watched the First Presidency's Christmas Devotional. It was a great day!

On Tuesday, Phoenix had his two month check. He's officially a fatty. At 24 inches long he is in the 83rd percentile. (He was in the 77th at his two week check) Being 13 pounds! puts him in the 78th percentile. He was only in the 19th at his two week check. He has really porked up. Dr. Glade was thoroughly impressed. what a chunk!

I Almost Feel Like A Person.

So, if you're a mother you probably get that feeling that you aren't really a person, but a set of hands for diaper changes and peanut butter sandwiches. And a living radio that is constantly singing the same songs over and over again. Yesterday, I had a long drive in the car and Cougar was home with Daddy. I got STUCK in traffic. I'm talking stuck! I was in the fast lane in park, engine off for 10 minutes. I decided to try to find out what was going on and switched my radio over to "KSL news radio 1160! (Yes, I am singing) Traffic and Weather together every 10 minutes on the 9s" Well, I got caught up in the talk. I used to hate talk radio. My dad would listen to it. That gardening show would drive me crazy. Who wants to listen to other people talk about different plant diseases? (I know, right now I can think of at least 4 people who would, but really?) I listened to Sean Hannity rant and rave and loved it! I felt intelligent again. I felt less isolated. It was awesome. I had another long drive today (without Cougar, again) and listened to talk the entire time. It wasn't anything life changing. Doug Wright was just asking people what their favorite pop Christmas song was and why. He wasn't changing the world. It was as invigorating as having an adult conversation. I highly recommend, on those days when you feel like your brain is turning to mush. If you're going to loose it if you have to read one more book that rhymes. If you need to get out, but can't. Turn on some talk radio. It's awesome.

Phoenix slept for 8 hours last night!!! WAHOO!!!!