A Shower

I have the most wonderful friends. I never thought I would have such amazing and giving women for friends when I moved to Seattle. Four of these said friends threw me a baby shower that could have been featured in a magazine. Take a look.

My lovely friends pre-party getting ready.

My one regret is that I forgot to have any pictures taken during the party so there aren't any pictures of 1: the delicious food (which included a white bean stew, spinach salad with poppy seed dressing, lemon mousse with fresh berries, and dark chocolate covered strawberries), and 2: all of the wonderful women that came to celebrate with me. I think everyone had a good time we ate, talked up a storm, and oohed and awed at the adorable little gifts. I couldn't keep from smiling on my way home alone in my car, feeling grateful for all of the wonderful people I've met and made friends with here in Seattle.

It's a...

 Girl!

grateful

This is late, but even if Thanksgiving has come and gone, it's never the wrong time to be thankful. List format; no particular order (except the order they decide to come in my thoughts):

1- A very loving, merciful, generous, and attentive Father in Heaven
2- The best helpmeet I could ever have dreamed of, who also happens to be my best friend and soulmate.

3- My darling, hilarious, wonderful J.

4- My family members by blood and by law. Every single one.
5- Those that I have called (and most that I still call) friend.
6- My membership in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and how it has changed the way I live my life.
7- To be pregnant (no matter what the outcome is), to even have the chance of adding another member to our family is enough. (Yes friends, I am pregnant, 17 weeks at this point. I had planned to announce it on this blog in an oh so clever way but I'm too worn out).
8- The many experiences I have had, am having, and will have in the future that make me a better, more empathetic, and understanding person. The experiences that help me figure out who I really am, what makes me me, and what my purpose on this earth is.
9- This beautiful, ever-changing, painful, inspiring world. It is in sum a beautiful world. I am grateful to be here.
10- Hope, through the one and only savior, Jesus Christ.

The list could go on but for the sake of your time and mine, we'll end it there today.

halloween knight

Thought I'd better post something before October ended... A lot has been happening in our lives lately but before we address all that (if we ever address it), I thought a nice relaxing post of pictures would be just right, and let's face it that's what YOU want too!

Due to some very understandable procrastination on my part I had to throw together a costume for J in a day... luckily it wasn't difficult and probably didn't take more than 2 hours total (including all the trips to Goodwill, Savers, and Joann's).

J wore said costume at a Stake Trunk-or-Treat and tonight when we joined some very awesome friends for dinner and trick-or-treating. Luckily we didn't go with our original costume idea of Hermes because the night air was more than nippy. All our love to you dear friends and family and our hope that you have/had a happy Halloween.

color game

So we often play a color game with J. when we go for walks around the neighborhood. The game is pointing out a car and asking J. what color it is (yeah, really original right? ;) ). He's gotten really good at it, he often mixes up silver and white, but that's an easy mistake.
There is a car that is always parked in our neighborhood and it's a bit tricky so I was hesitant to point it out but one day I did and I got a surprisingly insightful answer. This is the car:

And the answer was without any hesitation: cheese! You might not be able to tell from the photo but that orange color on the top looks A LOT like the color of a nice sharp cheddar. Nice job little guy.  Now whenever we pass it J points out the cheese car.

Another update, J. loves Wallace & Gromit. First time he's ever sat still for an entire 30 minutes (excluding time eating of course), eyes glued to the screen. He has good taste.

Salem---Seoul

Yesterday Adam took a half day and we drove all the way down to Salem, Oregon and back, for a two hour open house. Four hours there, four hours back was a little much. But, it was really wonderful to hear Adam reminisce about his childhood, teenager, and young adult life. It was also really great to see some of the people I had met only briefly at our own open house, meet a few new people, and see the lovely bride and groom.

While there I witnessed J. being bullied by three older kids. I'm going to be honest, I got pretty sassy with those three little boys. A truth, of which I'm not very proud. I let my emotions as a mother get the better of me (don't imagine the worst, I only told them that NO it is not ok to do a judo throw-down on a two year old boy, nor is it ok to be rude to him.) I probably could have scolded them in a more productive way, and I totally forgot to get them to apologize but enough said on that subject.

To end, my Adam is on a plane this very minute half-way across the Pacific on his way to Seoul. I already miss him and it's only been about seven hours. He'll be gone until next Sunday.

Happy Birthday!

I can't believe it's already been two years. Where did the time go? It seems like only yesterday that you made your full entrance into our family. How did you grow so much so quickly? We love you little Tweed. We love your fake laughs, your tantrums, your dancing, your hugs. We love it when you "read" the scriptures, sing, and play trains and cars. We love everything you were then and now! I know we both pray that your life will be full, beautiful, and long. Thank you for being ours. Happy birthday little guy.