A sneak peek

Of an absolutely wonderful Thanksgiving.

(Pretty much Stanford rocks.)

We're headed out

For the rest of the week. I know, I know, it's not like I've been posting much anyway.  But we'll be back come Monday! Hopefully with pictures to your heart's content.

Cheers!

Sew, Mamma, Sew!

So I am alive. Just been a bit busy. You see, I will have chance to give all my family their Christmas presents (to be safely tucked under their trees) in a week or so... and so I sew.  It's been well over a month now of some serious gift making in the making. I can't post pictures (for obvious reasons), but let's just say I'm excited. I've had fun planning and projecting.  It will be just as fun giving them. And then hearing all about it in a month! Oh ho, I am so very excited for this holiday season!

Happy Thanksgiving to you!

(Sorry, just can't quite wish anything else just yet. Thanksgiving must not be forgotten! Enjoy the Spirit of Thanksgiving here.)

How do I love thee?

I think I am getting more socially awkward lately.  And I think it's because I'm worried more about what to say (when I don't know what to say) instead of letting go of all pretense and genuinely listening and caring about whomever I am talking to.  I want too much to say the right thing.

This morning I was reminded (while rereading an old study journal) of something I observed another MTC teacher teaching missionaries back when I worked there. She was reviewing a practice teaching situation they had just had. Bless their hearts.  They had been so concerned with teaching their lesson (remembering all the principles, going in the right order, switching back and forth successfully), that they hardly paid any attention to whomever it was they were teaching. A common thing in the MTC.  This good teacher taught those missionaries that teaching (and I would say living) can be like looking in a mirror or looking in a magnifying glass.

When we live by looking in a mirror, all we are concerned about is how we're doing. (Did I say the right thing? Did that make sense? What are they thinking about me? Etc.) Living by looking through a magnifying glass, however, happens when we focus in on whomever is sitting in front of us. We look deep into their hearts and really listen to what they say, and what they don't say. It is noticing the details. It is, by far, a more Christlike way to live.

I have been thinking about all these things today as I put off calling up the girls I visit teach and making appointments.  Is making that phone call hard for anyone else?  I always feel like I am bothering them.  Which is strange, because I would gladly welcome such a call from my own visiting teachers. I havn't been visited myself in almost four years.  I keep hoping with every move and new ward that it's going to happen.  I really, honestly, would love to have them.  So why do I feel like a burden to call the girls I'm assigned?  Why do I think they wouldn't want to be visited?  Sigh.  Why do I worry more about what to say than about finding out what is going on in their lives? 

I need to live more like I'm looking through a magnifying glass than a mirror. I need to welcome them into my life and hope that they will do the same.  As Elder Holland so eloquently teaches, the same is true for all our relationships. The question is how do I love thee? And I want the answer to be: as Christ does.

watch here.

Carrying on the tradition

Growing up, my mom was (is) the master of church activities. I can't even tell you how many times I saw her load up our minivan with half her sewing room in order to teach a craft or sewing project, decorate a cultural hall, organize a temple Youth Celebration, or direct a stake play.  We're talking big time activities here.  She is the master organizer, planner, and presenter. Nothing is too big or too much work for my mamacita. She firmly believes that her commitment to the gospel fully encompasses everything she can give to every calling, activity, and assignment that comes her way. Those of you who know her, know what I'm talking about. It's impressive.

So when I was put on the (now called) Relief Society Committee in my married ward, I must say I felt a little hidden intimidation. Firstly because I've never had this calling before (and the unknown is always a bit more daunting than the known), and secondly because there are some high expectations coming down through the generations.

Last night my training (as Cindy Torgerson's daughter) was put to the test. I was in charge of my first "small group" (of what was formerly (HFP) Enrichment) activity. The craft group.  If you haven't noticed, my world these days seems to be taken up completely by All Things Baby (honestly, when was the last time I post something philosophical? They are few are far between, that's for sure).  So obviously, the theme carried over to our activity. I've learned in the last few months that these little guys carry a pretty hefty price tag (all worth it, of course). But if there are ways and places you can cut the cost corners, I try to find them.  There are somethings that I just can't make for little Raymond John... but the things I can, I do. I needed to share my money-saving baby-making skills with all the new (and soon to be new) mamas in my ward.

I brought supplies (yes, half my sewing corner, I swear was packed and hauled to the church in Cindy Torgerson fashion) and patterns for baby: bibs, burp cloths, plush balls, and soft rings.  Only about half the crowd expected came, but those who did, made some beautiful new baby things. Success! I can't even tell you how much good it did my little heart to see all those sewing machines a-whirring.  I have learned to really love to sew lately (as meger and simple as my projects are).  Almost everyone who came had their own machine, but admitted to hardly ever using it. Fingers crossed, all those pretty little Singer machines put to use last night won't be tucked back into the closet, but put out on the desk and loved.

We made some:

Plush balls

Soft Rings

burp cloths

and bibs.

So fun!

The world of food

There are so (SO) many opinions out there on just when and how to start your baby on "solid" foods. It can be a bit overwhelming, to be honest. For quite a few reasons I've been dragging my feet and trying to hold off on anything that isn't mother's milk. Jeremy, on the other hand, has been anxious to jump in as soon as the Dr. gave the go-ahead (at the four month check up). I would probably still be dragging my feet if Raymond wasn't chomping at the bit to get anything and everything in his mouth.

He fits all the "ready" requirements on most lists (supported sitter, over 13 lbs, mouthing things, teething, anxious, etc.). That and he still nurses every 1.5-2 hours. So far that's seemed to be enough, but in just the last few days it suddenly hasn't. I was adamant, however, that we would wait until he was at least five months. Which happened yesterday. So my excuses were up. Today was the lucky day.

He did much better than I thought. He actually swallowed some, I think. He was hungry for it--reaching and shoving that spoon in his mouth with gusto. The adventure has begun...