Out with the bath water!

For weeks now our bathroom has been under construction. Eek! I won't scare you with too many before pictures, but I will mention that most everything in said bathroom was original from the birth our little townhouse in 1963. I must admit that I never ever bathed Jack in our tub. It just didn't meet my cleanliness standards.

Here is just a small sampling of what our "before" bathroom
looked like. Do you like the duct tape? I think it really
rounded out the hill billy vibe our bathroom was giving off. Gross!

Well I'm happy to report that after lots of construction, dirt, and side projects. Our bathroom is almost finished! We just need to paint and put up all the fun stuff (mirrors, hooks, pictures, etc.) I don't want to unveil the whole bathroom just yet, it will look perfect in a week or five, be patient!


I am happy to report that Jack is loving the new tub. Look at the joy on this boy's face. Goodbye showering with the folks, hello bubbles, toys, and splashing.

Good Night Jack

Jack is a great sleeper. That is one of the perks to having a son that is always on the move. It takes time to recharge! Last night was no exception... except that it was a little warmer than usual. Kent dressed Jack in a light pair of pjs and put him down for the night. Some time around 3am Jack woke up freezin'. He woke up, whined, and then let out a good cry to make sure we were quick on our feet. Kent was first to respond and that's when the following conversation happened-

(Kent rocking Jack gently in the rocking chair)

Kent: Jack are you tired?
Jack: Okay...
Kent: Jack are you ready to go back to bed?
Jack: Okay Dada...
Kent: Do you want me to put the big blanket on you?
Jack: Uh-huh...

With that Kent picked Jack up and deposited him back into his crib, big blanket and all. Jack happily put his fingers in his mouth and rolled over. Problem solved. Good night Jack.

I love this new phase of simple communication, sure beats the tears and crying. Plus, I just love to hear Jack's sweet little voice when he says "Uh-huh!"

This is one of my simple pleasures (of motherhood).

Goats or Apes?

HOW TO KNOW WHETHER OR NOT YOUR ARE READY TO HAVE KIDS:

(psst) I found this on the internet.
I've shortened it down to my top five. Hope you enjoy.

> >> >Mess Test-Smear peanut butter on the sofa and curtains. Place a fish stick behind the couch and leave it there all summer.

> >> >Toy Test-Obtain a 55 gallon box of Legos (or you may substitute roofing tacks). Have a friend spread them all over the house. Put on a blindfold. Try to walk to the bathroom or kitchen. Do not scream, you'll wake the baby.

> >> >Gorcery Store Test-Borrow one or two small animals (goats are best) and take them with you as you shop. Always keep them in sight and pay for anything they eat or damage. [I like this one, but to make it truly authentic to life make the animal an ape that flings ahh stuff. -Jodi]

> >> >Dressing Test-Obtain one large, unhappy, live octopus. Stuff into a small net bag making sure that all the arms stay inside.

> >> >Feeding Test-Obtain a large plastic milk jug. Fill halfway with water. Suspend from the ceiling with a cord. Start the jug swinging. Try to insert spoonfuls of soggy cereal into the mouth of the jug, while pretending to be an airplane. Now dump the contents of the jug on the floor.

If these tests don't strike a cord with you,
feel free to take Jack to the grocery store with you.
He's a total goat when it comes to shopping!

Thank You Valentine!

I've been eying this picture of the

for months and months now. I never really thought I'd get it (too pricey). But leave it to my Valentine to find a way (half price). Thank you Kent, I can't wait until it's hanging in our living room! What a great Valentine's surprise. If you'd like to look for your temple click here.

Daddy's Little Monster

Jack was Frankenstein for Halloween.We never posted pictures, just thought I'd share.

I had a drug problem when I was young

I found this on the internet yesterday and had to
I found this on the internet yesterday
and I had to chuckle. I'd like to thank my
parents for"druging" me. I'm so very lucky
that I was taught from an early age how to be
polite and respectable.

I will consider it my greatest
accomplishment if I can raise good
and righteous children.

My biggest accomplishment so far is that my
son says please and thank you.
I think he's on the right track,
but I won't pat myself on the back just yet.

6 Months Prego

Here I am in all my glory!

24 weeks Pregnant.
The funny thing is, when I
went in for my ultrasound at 20 weeks
no one would have suspected I was pregnant.
What a difference a
month can make.
Give me another month
and I'll really give you something to talk about...

Liza Jane Howe

Meet Jack's newest cousin.
Liza was born on January 29th.
I like to picture Liza and Jillian being future
best friend cousins. Of course this might
be a little premature considering
Jillian is still inutero...


Welcome into the family baby Liza.
We can't wait to meet you!

You Say Goodbye, I Say Hello

Goodbye President Hinckley

I always felt like he knew me.
I always felt like he understood
my generation and our challenges.
I appreciated his humor and easygoing attitude.
I loved his ability to be kind and firm at the same time.

I loved his tenacity for building temples.

I knew he was a prophet of God.

Thank you for leading us these past 13 years;
you will always hold a special place in my heart.

*****

Hello President Monson

Today it was announced that Thomas S. Monson will
be the new Prophet of The Church of
Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints.

His counselors are Henry B. Eyring
and Dieter F. Uchtdorf.

President Monson won't be filling
President Hinckley's shoes;
he will be wearing his own and making his
own mark as an individual. I look forward to
Conference in April and hearing from
our new first presidency.
They are a powerful trio.

And I can't help but wonder what I will love
and appreciate about our new Prophet
as he serves the Church and our Lord.

Art?

One of my New Year's Resolutions this year
is to make life more meaningful for Jack.

To help fulfill this goal the two of us signed up for
Edible Art through the city's rec. department.

I was so excited our first day of class.
Jack loves to draw with pens, crayons, markers, chalk, etc.
He loves drawing on paper, sidewalks, and walls.
"This is so up his alley," I thought.

Wrong!

I forgot one little thing. I am anal.
Therefore, I am raising
an anal son.

Our first assignment: Finger paint with colored whipped cream and corn syrup.

Problem: This makes one's fingers
(and I quote Jack) a "mess, mess."
I'm pretty sure I was the only parent there
whose son refused to get dirty.

We did however manage to make these works of art:
I call this- "Mom made me dip my hands in corn syrup."


These 2 paintings are from Jack's whipped cream period.


Here we are after cleaning up our MESS.
I guess we need to work on playing
a little dirtier at our house.

And yes, UM (Jack's blanket) came along to class too.
Um was remarkably clean
despite the painting.

Hopefully we'll relax a bit in the classes that follow.
And maybe, just maybe we'll come to enjoy
the beauty in getting a little messy.