Dear Memory Mixer

I love you. I do. I curse that cute little Stephanie just a little bit for introducing us, but I love her even more for it. MM - you have sucked up too much of my time tonight. Nearly 4 hours! (Which, let's be honest, isn't a drop in the bucket compared to how much time someone else I know played with you today) But 4 hours I'm sure that I could have spent doing laundry, dishes, cleaning Alyssa's room, going to the grocery store to buy milk, sleeping... the list could go on and on. I'm done with you. For now. Or tonight anyway. All my love.

The Many Faces of Alyssa

Never a dull moment with this girl.

Shocking!

Alyssa gave a talk in primary today. I was SHOCKED! In January she was asked to give the theme, and she totally chickened out. Wouldn't even let Tim hold her by the microphone. Today, she stood up all by herself on the double stacked step-stool, and repeated everything I said to her. I'm so proud of that little girl! She's grown up so much in the last 5 months, becoming more and more independent. It used to make me sad to think my baby is now a little girl, and it occasionally still does. But more I'm proud of the progress she's making, doing things now that use to scare her or make her nervous. I love you Lys, you make me a proud mama!

ps - When I took this picture of her (to mark this momentous occasion) she was going crazy for the camera. The faces and posing? Wow. Just wait for those!

It Must Be Spring

This would be our grill. Nothing fancy-schmancy, just a grill.

Notice anything strange about it? Perhaps the grassy twigs poking out the sides? Clearly we haven't used this for a while. Some people enjoy freezing their backsides off during the winter to grill. We are not part of that group. If we were smart people, we would have pulled it in to the garage while we weren't using it. Obviously we're not part of the smart people group either. We're our own special group of people here. Back to the grill. Upon noticing the weeds spilling out of the grill, I thought I'd investigate. I'm sure you'll never guess what I found...

It has been determined that Momma bird is one hard working chick. The entire grill is full of lovely treasures that she collected for her babies' nest. Seriously? It's an amazing nest, and it didn't hardly budge when I lifted the lid. Such a skilled little birdie. What's even more amazing to me is that she pulled everything through this little hole.

Don't be waiting for an invitation to bbq at our house any time soon. We'll be waiting for baby birdies.

Know What I Love?

Blogging. Can't ya tell?

A Day of Rest

Yet another bit of dialog that won't be forgotten. As we were on our way to my aunt's house for my grandparent's birthday gathering this evening (Happy Birthday Grandma and Grandpa! That's right, they share) Alyssa decides she wants some ice cream. Not just any ice cream. An ice cream cone from the Arctic Circle. The conversation went as follows: Alyssa: Mommy, I want an ice cream cone. Me: Sweetie, it's Sunday, we don't buy ice cream cones on Sunday. But maybe we'll have some at the party, is that ok? Alyssa: NO! I want it in a cone! Pleeeeease!!!! Me: I know you love ice cream cones Lys, but Heavenly Father and Jesus don't want us to go the store on Sunday. We'll have some when we get home. Insert a moment or two of silence while Alyssa appears to be thinking this one over. Alyssa: Mommy? Jesus said yes.

Because...

Because the camera loves her almost as much as I do.