A Good Calendar

I'm a little bummed. I found a good calendar last year called the "Thinkbin Family Calendar." Unfortunately, they aren't making a 2009 edition. It was set up like this:I liked that it gave enough room on each day to write the schedule for multiple people, but not SO much room as to always look empty. Afterall, Millie and Katie don't have much that needs to be written down. Does anyone have any good recommendations?

How Do You Put YOUR Family at Risk?

My husband keeps telling me that something HAS to change. He's right.
I have this disease where I have to light the burners on the stove at the highest possible temperature when I am heating up water. I want it to boil as fast as it can. Unfortunately, this has become a hazard to my family because I also have another disease. It's the I-get-so-easily-distracted disease. Combining the two can be lethal. It causes me to put water on the stovetop, turn the burner on it's maximum setting, and then while I'm waiting for it to boil, I'll start a different project and forget that I put water on the stove at all. Then, a while later I'll remember and jump up to find that there is no longer water in my pot. And my pot no longer has the copper bottom attached to it anymore. And it is burnt black beyond possible future use. And then I sigh a sigh of relief that I dodged the "burn-our-house-down" bullet yet again.

My current count is 4 pots that have suffered this fate.

But, I have discovered a way to help me combat this terrible habit. All I have to do is turn on the timer whenever I am cooking anything. That way, even if I walk away, I have something that will re-focus me before it becomes too late.

How have you dodged a bullet?

Why I Love Living in California

Because it's January and the high today was 85 degrees.
So we went swimming.
And we weren't cold doing it.

A Sneak Peek

This is artwork done by someone on
etsy.
I just thought the girl was cute and decided to use her as a
model for a small project.
It is partially done, and I'll try to
post pictures when it's finished.

Happy New Year!

Ryan is Thankful

"It's a good thing that Heavenly Father made crickets. I think they make such beautiful music. If I find one in the house, I don't want to kill it because I think they sound so beautiful. I think we should just catch it and then let it go outside."

We found two in the house this evening. They were successfully caught and released into the wild. And then Ryan remembered to thank Heavenly Father in his prayer for the beautiful music of crickets.

Climbing Trees

Yes, Ryan tried to climb our Christmas tree tonight. It fell over on him.
(Can you see him under there?)

No comments on our lack of ornaments this year. No one has been motivated to put them up yet.

Blue Eyed Girl

This child was sent straight from Heaven.

Some of the ways in which Millie is unique in our family:

She has blue eyes. I'll be shocked if she doesn't keep them.
She has that awesome natural mohawk.
She loves to suck on her fingers.
She goes to sleep on her own. Often without any crying whatsoever.
She takes two long naps during the day. At predictable times.
She will drink from a bottle.
Uses but doesn't require a pacifier.
Never liked a swing.

Look at that cute face. Millie is 4 months old now. She weighs 13 lbs 12 oz (which is exactly the 50th percentile). All of my kids had that great double chin, but hers is pretty prominent right now in life. ;) I've also noticed a few small dots on her forehead that I believe are a little birthmark. She can roll from stomach to back (you know that from a previous post) and now from back to stomach - except that her arm usually stays stuck underneath her that way. She is getting better control of her hand movements and will grab for toys and bring them to her mouth. She watches intently when I eat and will reach for things that are near her. I have to watch my plate when she's on my lap. She is a real mover - especially in her crib. She rolls over and scoots so it's totally unpredictable where she'll end up. Her scooting doesn't seem very controlled, but she can travel. When she sleeps, she loves to grab her blanket and put it right in front of her face and suck her middle two fingers or first two fingers.

I'm not sure why we were blessed with such a sweet, sweet baby. But I am not taking it for granted. I am truly grateful and try to enjoy as many small moments with her as I can.

Ho Ho Ho.

For our ward Christmas party this year we went to "Who-ville" and had a "roast beast feast." Then we watched a full-on musical production of Dr. Seuss' Grinch Who Stole Christmas. Here are my little "whos" with Santa Claus.

Ryan asked for a speed racer. Katie wanted more princesses (some little bendy type). I'm glad they didn't have a huge list for Santa.

Blessings