Aunt Kate's Visit

One of my good friends came out to Tennessee last month and the boys and I took a trip out to Knoxville to see her. We had a blast! I hadn't seen Kate since before Adam was born (WAY too long). We had a ton of fun! So much fun I think it made Brian jealous. We went to the AMSE (American Museum of Science and Energy) in Oak Ridge (one of the labs for the Manhattan project is the best way we can describe it). Adam loved it! Here's some pictures of our adventure there:

Adam trying to solve a brain buster of how to balance 15 nails on the head of one nail.

Oh the joys of air!

Adam thought this was pretty cool...Mom did too.

Adam thought this was cool too until he felt a little shock...and another...and another. He looked at me and said, "hurts?"

And Adam loved turning the wheel to move the "oil rig" to find the oil. He got a little carried away...

We also went and visited the Museum of Appalachia. It was really neat to see some of the history of East Tennessee. Adam really liked seeing all of the animals. There were sheep and chickens and peacocks (and peahens and chicks too). They had some beautiful quilts there as well, sorry I forgot to take pictures of those. They had some really neat instruments there are well (different types of guitars, banjos, ukuleles, etc.) and they had war memorabilia. It was neat for me to see some farm equipment and things. They also had a beautiful garden.

I had never seen peachicks before...this little peahen had 5 and there is a peacock in the background (who was very territorial and wouldn't let the poor lady pass...)

These were some beautiful flowers in bloom while we were there. I think some relative of the hibiscus.

This is the peacock that walked right up to Adam and Michael and I. It walked around us and eventually walked away. It's feathers were just beautiful...even if the birds do seem haughty.

Aunt Kate showing Adam the mail box...the writing inside probably says something along the lines of "do not place any items in the mailbox" along with the history of writing letters back in the day...which led Adam to do this:

We had a lot of fun. Thanks Aunt Kate!! You have to come and visit again!! And I think that the boys and I will have to take Brian to the AMSE so he drool over all the cool exhibits and fun scientific hands-on activities. Maybe Mr. Bond will be there to give another demonstration. :)

He's a Big Boy Now!

Let me first say that we are not yet devoted to potty training Adam. We haven't made the plunge where there is no turning back. We started having him sit on the potty and this last week he actually peed a few times. He earns one M&M for sitting on the potty, two if he goes pee, and three if he goes poo. Well, last night, ladies and gentlemen, he earned THREE M&Ms!!!! Hooray!! Ok, I actually gave him 5 because I was so excited and it was his first time and he actually did both. And at our house, M&Ms are either real M&Ms or chocolate chips, whatever we have in the cupboard, Adam calls it both and is willing to go potty to earn them, for now. I know he's not potty-trained and we have a long way to go, but hey, it's a step! It will be so nice when we only have to buy diapers for one. I love you Adam!

Summertime Splash!

Last weekend we got together with some family friends. Bill & Tamarah have a little girl the same age as Adam and they love to play together. We went to Splash Pad (a local park) and the kids had a blast! It took Adam a little bit to warm up to getting wet, but Alyssa jumped right in! Afterwards we had dinner at our house and the kids (and adults) had tons of fun together. Here are some pictures of our fun.

Puddle Jumping

The "spraying animals"

"Let me help you get wet, Alyssa"

Running through the water

And we can't forget little Michael. He's such a happy boy! Such a cutie...

A Lesson on Salt

I've learned a lesson about salt. Now that I've had to actually think about it, most food has salt in it--almost every recipe calls for salt. Hopefully, I will always remember that...and if the recipe doesn't call for salt, double check. I'd like to share that lesson with you.

This weekend I made bread, a normal occurrence here in our house. We have a new wheat grinder and so I've tried a few recipes. I found one that we like and so that is the one I used on Saturday. It wasn't until I pulled the loaves out of the oven that I realized, "I forgot the salt!" One Tablespoon of salt...in a recipe for three loaves of bread. It couldn't be that bad, right?

WRONG! The bread is edible...with lots of jam, honey, sandwich toppings, or as French toast, but it doesn't taste good on it's own. And it's lumpy. Now we have two and half loaves of "good-for-nothing" (except French toast) wheat bread. Thus, we will be having French toast with the missionaries tomorrow night. And I can't give it away either, that wouldn't be nice. Since this experience the following scripture has taken on a more meaningful lesson:

Matthew 5:13 (from Jesus's Sermon on the Mount)

Ye are the salt of the earth: but if the salt have lost his savour, wherewith shall it be salted? it is thenceforth good for nothing, but to be cast out, and to be trodden under the foot of men.

I thought about just throwing out the bread...to be "trodden under the foot of men," but it is two whole loaves! Thinking about this scripture, and relating it to food, salt adds so much to food! Just as the Gospel of Christ adds so much to our lives. Thinking about my life, if you took away the Gospel of Christ, my life would be "good for nothing." Life wouldn't have meaning.

The Gospel gives us a knowledge of our purpose here on this earth. I know who I am, why I am here, and from where I came. Do you?

I am a woman. As such I am blessed with qualities that bless my family. Men and women are supposed to be different--we compliment each other. Women are to be mothers, that is why all women have an innate "nature to nurture." We take care of people. I am happy to be a woman and to know my divine role in this mortal life and for eternity. I know Christ lives and that His true Gospel has been restored to the earth.

So, the next time you eat bread, savour the flavor. It just doesn't taste the same without salt.

Do you have the salt in your recipe of life?

My Little Kermit

A few weeks ago I went into Adam's room to get him up for the day. He had been playing in his room for a little bit and the silly little boy found some of my gloves (that he had previously taken into his room) and put them on his feet. He looked like a little frog! I had to capture a piece of my son's cuteness.

Maybe Adam should be Kermit for Halloween this year...