Happy Halloween!

We hope your night is filled with pumpkins and costumes and trick-or-treat fun!

Saucey little redhead

Can you see it? The peach fuzz that had a definite redness to it? Yup, it's getting longer (or at least thicker). Does a mother's heart good.

four months, 1 week

height: 25 1/2 inches (66%)
weight: 13 lbs 13 oz (22 %)
head circumference: 15 1/2 inches (20%)

Today we went for a walk--despite the fall bluster. Not far. Just to the swings, in fact. Raymond usually likes to swing in my lap for an indefinite amount of time. Today we learned that he loves to swing in the kiddy swing for an indefinite amount of time. His laughter was joyous to behold!

He's turned into a pretty regular sleeper. Bedtime every night is between 6:00 and 7:00pm. Most nights he doesn't wake up until between 2:00 and 4:00am. Then he's up for an hour or so between 5:00 and 6:00 (always back down no later than 8:00am). The rest of the day is filled with naps every two hours. Usually it ends up being about three naps a day for an hour or two each. Whew! (Not that you really wanted to know all this information... I'm just extremely proud of the facts, not going to lie).

He loves to play with his "toys" (wire whisks, measuring spoons, etc.). He can roll back to front and front to back. he loves to read (his favorite books are about animals). He loves, loves, loves music of every sort (particularly singing by his mama). And he loves to eat.

To life, to life, l'chaim!

I must say that I love birthdays. They are a celebration of LIFE. The good stuff. The one year older and the getting wiser. I love getting older. Weird, I know. I have none of that poor-pity-me feeling when a birthday comes around. There is so much living to happen in the next year, and I love getting to add that year onto my age tally. Each one is such an adventure; there are so many unknowns in what is around the corner.

And not only all that good stuff of what's coming, but the day itself is such a celebration. This morning started early (5am... perhaps a bit earlier than desired, but I'll take it) and quickly brought without it presents and "happy birthdays" and cupcakes with breakfast. Mmmm. All of my gifts so far were such a surprise (all the Harry Potters! Muffin tins! Beautiful red yarn! I know what I'll be doing today). And there is so much more birthday goodness to come. Phone calls and quality Jeremy time tonight. And just that special tingle deep down all day that says: I am alive and it matters!

So please forgive me for behaving like a giddy 10 year old (have you noticed how many italics and exclamation points this post already occupies? I've had to delete at least 5 exclamation points in rereading because it really was a bit much)... but

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO ME!
photos by Stanford Richins at Not Another Picture

Why I'm glad we didn't wait

I am glad we didn't wait to start having kids. For those of you who haven't done the math, Raymond was born pretty darn close to nine months after we were married. It was a conscious decision we both made before we were married. This was one of those things we were on the same page with almost immediately. In fact, I would venture say it was a "selling point" while dating. We both wanted it. We both felt strongly about it. We were both ready. It has proven to be a wonderful blessing; here are some of the reasons why (not listed in order of importance):

• Pregnancy created an immediate interdependence. I'm sort of independent gal--I like to do things my own way. I love being self reliant. But I quickly learned while pregnant that I needed help. I needed support. I needed a husband. This has only increased with the arrival of the wee one.
  
• It put everything into perspective financially. From day one we were forgoing and saving on account of needing our resources for something other than ourselves. We quickly had to learn to live within our budget and get ourselves financially able to support another (entirely dependent) little person.
• I am not as young as I used to be (an obvious statement). AKA I only have so many child bearing years in me. And we want a large family. I get giddy thinking about all the other little people who will come into our family, and I'm so grateful one is already here!
• Raymond himself is such a blessing in our lives. His steady penetrating gaze. Those tender little snuggles. The beauty of his smile and joy of his laugh. Living with such a tiny human spirit gives so much more depth to life than I ever knew was possible.
• The Plan of Salvation has become more tangible than ever before. I remember teaching the Plan of Salvation over and over again as a missionary. I remember feeling anxious then to begin my own family. And here it is. The Abrahamic promise that "your seed shall be as the sands of the sea" takes on new meaning when one small and precious piece of sand is placed in your hands.
• Incredible financial blessings have come as we have followed the prophets' counsel to multiply and replenish the earth. The support of heaven has been miraculous to behold.
• Adjusting to marriage has always simultaneously been an adjustment to a family for us. Going from two to three has not felt like the sacrifice it perhaps would have if we had had an extended amount of time with the freedom of, say, date nights without babysitters.
• As in no other job, no other role, no other capacity, I feel like I am being stretched and molded, fine tuned and placed in the refiner's fire as I begin this adventure called motherhood. And yet it feel so natural, so comfortable, so calm--this life I lead. It is like a modern dance piece: organic and dynamic while using every muscle to its limit. Life has taken on a beautiful and new rhythm.
  

I know this is a somewhat controversial topic (ok, obnoxiously controversial topic), and I am by no means trying to pass any sort of judgment on you or your situation by this post. I also know there are sadly many people who don't want to wait to have children but are forced to--struggling with infertility. My heart breaks for them. But we all press forward, right? Doing the best we can and making righteous choices.

"I give my name unto the world..."

I have again and again gone over Elder Holland's powerful message given in General Conference on Sunday afternoon. With simplicity and yet elegance, he testified of the truthfulness and divinity of the origin of the Book of Mormon. He was straightforward and unyielding in his witness of the Book of Mormon being the Word of God. In the spirit of his message, I wish to also "give my name unto the world" that I know the book to be true, written by ancient prophets upon the American continent and translated by the power and authority of God given to Joseph Smith.

When I was eight years old and a newly baptized member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, I felt the need to know for myself that the book was true. I felt that as an official "Mormon," I must read the Book of Mormon. I opened my newly acquired quadruple combination and began with the story of Lehi and Nephi and their journey to the promised land. It took me a long time to read the book that first time through. My favorite reading spot was amongst the piles of pillows along one side of our couch and hidden from view by the recliner. I often kept my scriptures tucked behind the pillows for easy access the next time I wanted to read. I remember not understanding most of what was going on, but feeling determined to read it all the way through, confident that with future readings it would become more clear. I finished sometime after my nineth birthday.

The ending chapter of the Book of Mormon contains a promise to all who read the book--inviting us to ponder the words of the book, and then with pure intentions to ask God if the book is true. I don't recall whether I offered such a prayer as a nine year old or not. But over the years, as I read the book again and again, my testimony of the book has become sure and steadfast.

Sometime during my early teenage years I began daily scripture study, focusing on the Book of Mormon. Countless times it has been a sourse of inspiration, comfort, solice, and direction. It is indeed the centerstone of my testimony of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. If ever during my teenage years I had cause to question or doubt a principle or doctrine taught by the church, I would always go back to my deepening conviction that the Book of Mormon is true. And if it is the word of God, then Joseph Smith must have been his prophet, and the rest follows.

When I was 21, I was called to serve as a missionary for the church in Honduras. Every single day my companion and I would load copies of the Book of Mormon in our bags to give out during the day. I loved to carry a book in hand as I walked, eager to draw attention to the pictures at the beginning of the book that illustrate the Savior as being the center figure of the book.

I loved to teach the Message of the Restoration (the first lesson)--which testifies of Joseph Smith and the Book of Mormon. I had a companion (Hermana Roldan) who always refered to the Book of Mormon as "el tesoro de las americas" (the treasure of the americas). She would hold the book firmly in both hands and commit our investigators to read from its pages. I cannot forget the urgency she felt for helping the people understand the magnitude and import of the plain navy blue book she gripped in her hands. She loved the Book of Mormon.

In the places I served in Honduras, most of the adults we taught could not read well or at all. It was hard for me at first to know how to help them gain a testimony of the Book of Mormon when reading even a single verse was taxing and confusing for them. I worked hard to explain it's origin and purpose simply and clearly. I would commit them to read a few verses, a short chapter, or to listen to one of their children read a passage. So many never read. It was their stumbling block. But those who did--and who followed the invitation to sincerely pray to know if the book is true, were converted.

I try to not let a day go by without reading from the Book of Mormon. It is the solid ground I wish to walk on daily. Generally my rule is that I will not read anything else (magazines, novels, etc) until I have read from the Book of Mormon each day. I have found my reading to be the most pentrating when I read with a pen in hand in order to write my thoughts down as they come. And a colored pencil easily accesible for marking key scriptures and cross references. I love the stories of the Book of Mormon. They have become familiar and comforting over the years as I read them again and again, finding parallels in my own life. But even more, I love the constant reminder that Jesus is the Christ. That He is the sure foundation we must build upon. That declaring His gospel and coming unto Him is how we will find peace in this life. The Book of Mormon is filled, page after page, with testimony of the Savior. I know that it is a true book. I know it contains God's word and will for us, His children.

In the spirit of the Book of Mormon, I invite you to read or reread its inspired pages. I invite you to ponder anew it's message of peace, hope, and faith. I invite you to give your name unto the world that you also know the book to be true.

Welcome October!

photo from here.

I know I'm a day late, but I just can't tell you how happy it makes me that October has arrived! Welcome pumpkins and wool sweaters and changing leaves!

I have always loved October. The fact that it starts with General Conference makes it eagerly anticipated weeks ahead. And then a week or so later is my birthday (and I love birthdays). And then the fall leaves start swirling (and sometimes the snow). My wool sweaters have been pulled out of hiding. The warmer quilt has been reinstated on our bed. Our morning walk has become an afternoon walk (during the warmer part of the day). And candy corns fill the grocery store aisles.

Does it get much better? I just don't know.