Toothpaste and Teddy Bears

Toothpaste or a Teddy Bear? Nathan picks the toothpaste - hands down! He has a tendency to become attached to strange objects. One week it was the Lanolin. This week, it's the toothpaste. He even goes through the bathroom drawer in specific search of his best friend, "Colgate". Now whenever we want to brush our teeth, we just have to find Nathan. And, where did that toothbrush go?

Favorite Phrases of the Week

Spiderman

Nick was busy playing Legos. He told me that his Spiderman lego man was climbing up some sort of obstacle represented by a cup. I felt a little nostalgic for my childhood days when my imagination was so vivid.

"Wow, it's so fun to use your imagination." I commented.
"I'm not using my imagination." Nick replied. "But Spiderman is!"

Wouldn't it be Funny?

Nick started laughing pretty hard the other morning at something he imagined. I gave him a quizzical look and he related his thought:

Wouldn't it be funny if you were saying your prayers really quiet, and God shouted down at you, "I can't hear you. You're not praying loud enough!".

Nick's Fourth Birthday Party

Nick has been so excited for his birthday party for two months. He specifically requested a "Spiderman birthday party". He wanted a spiderman cake. My mom decorates cakes and has a very yummy recipe for frosting that I love (very fattening). She came over Friday night before the party to help me with the frosting. Saturday, I spent all morning making the Spiderman cake. I showed it to Nick and he threw a tantrum:



"I don't like it!" He screamed.
"Well, what should we do with it?" I was curious about the answer because I knew he was tired and probably liked the cake (he usually is very forgiving of my artwork- especially if sugar is involved).

"Give it to Isaac!"
"Okay, let's give it to Isaac."
"Nooooooo!"

I think he was hurt that I'd even consider giving his Spiderman cake away. It was pretty cute.



Nick and Samuel and little Nathan stayed up too late Friday night having a Lego sleepover party. The bottoms of my feet are still recovering from stepping on all the little pieces. I think they had a lot of fun.



Samuel was so funny when it was time for Nick to open presents. (Of course he told Nick weeks ago what his presents were because it was a secret.) I think he was actually more excited about the presents that Nick was. He was right there opening the presents with Nick. I think Nick enjoyed the attention.



When it was time for Nick to blow out the candles, he forgot to make a wish. I guess we have never really taught him make a wish before. He loves blowing out candles so much that his wish would probably be for someone to relight the candles! Happy Birthday Nick! We love you!

The Long Scientific Personality Test

Okay Cheryl, you can take the blame for this one :). You really do inspire me. So, with all the personalities possible, wouldn't any personality be pretty rare?

INFJ - the counselor

You scored 27% I to E, 15% N to S, 14% F to T, and 26% J to P!

Your type is best summed up by the word "counselor", which belongs to the larger group of idealists. Only 2% of the population share your type. You are so empathic that you often know what others need before they know themselves. You are a complex person who can deal with complicated issues and people, almost prefer to, as you love problem solving. You can be something of an idealist or perfectionist, and should try to take yourself a little less seriously.
You are a supportive and insightful romantic partner, encouraging your mate to have dreams and work hard to make those dreams come true. Because you are so creative, you have a wealth of ideas to help them toward those goals. You need harmony so much that you are driven to resolve conflict quickly, as long as the terms don't violate your ethics. You feel the most appreciated when your partner admires your creativity, trusts your inspirations, and respects your values. It is also vitally important that your partner be open and emotionally available - in other words, that they be willing to share themselves completely.
Your group summary: idealists (NF)
Your type summary: INFJ

My test tracked 4 variables How you compared to other people your age and gender:

You scored higher than 35% on I to E
You scored higher than 12% on N to S
You scored higher than 4% on F to T
You scored higher than 7% on J to P

HOW THIS TEST WORKS:
The test measures you in four different areas. It will measure whether you are more introverted or extroverted I vs E. It will measure if you are more concerned with reality and facts or ideas and intuitions N vs S. It will measure whether you are more logic based or feelings based F versus T . Finally, it will measure if you are more go with the flow or someone who likes to have a plan J vs P.

Source: The Long Scientific Personality Test

I graduated in Computer Engineering. Does that fit in somewhere? Maybe I could be a left-brained idealist?

Tuesday

Nicholas is so proud that he is learning his letters. He copied the title of one of our favorite books. (I highly recommend this one) It's so fun to watch him learn.



Today one of my best friends from highschool finished the Boston Marathon. What an inspiration! I would like to run the St. George Marathon this fall. We'll see what happens. Maybe I'll be ten months pregnant by then! Or is it ten days ... feels the same. (just kidding)

I got an email from my sister, Larissa, today. She is serving a mission in Venezuela. She is having an amazing experience! It makes me realize how sheltered I am. There are so many perspectives and so many people to meet. The world is such a different experience for each person. A close friend told me of an experience she had in Isreal. She noticed children playing in the streets - so happy to be alive. How could they be happy in such a poor environment? They know nothing else. It is in our nature to seek happiness. Happiness is found within ourselves. We have the power to choose whether we want to be happy or not. No one can really take that from us.

Between stimulus and response there is a space. In that space is our power to choose our response. In our response lies our growth and our freedom.
- Viktor E. Frankl

I really want to read about this man's experiences. He has such an amazing attitude! Maybe some of it will rub off on me?

It All Begins Here

Life is way too short and my memory it too fleeting. I need to write all these precious (sometimes questionable) experiences down while they are fresh in my mind. Our two little ones keep Mark and me so busy. They consume almost every minute, but they give so much more. Every day I realize that the future really does lie upon the shoulders of our children. Some days the thought of this future scares me to tears and other days I'm so proud to be a mommy.