Shiny Happy Baby

Benton is our little bundle of joy. He is so happy and smiley. I was just thinking today that the R.E.M song Shiny Happy People needs to be his song. Because he is literally always happy. Last night he was having so much fun playing on his mat with his hanging rings and rattles. He would accidentally grab one of the rings and give me the biggest grin. He is really starting to like to play, and he loves when Jackson plays with him. When he hears Jackson coming, he gets a big grin. He also really likes to sit up- he is still a little bit wobbly but I am sure that he will be sitting up on his own soon.

Potty training day #1

Jackson had his first official day of potty training today... the score was accidents 3 and successful potty attempts 4. After lunch he disappeared and when I went to find him he was sitting on the potty with all his clothes off. He wanted to know if I could get him a book and then he asked me to leave him alone for a minute while he did a poop. It is really hard not to laugh at him sometimes. I know that I am suppossed to be patient with this potty training thing but it is really hard when there is pee all over the floor. Hopefully tommorrow will be a little bit better- I would love to have only one child in diapers.

Girls Camp at Mantua- No pictures (sorry)

This week I went to girls camp for the first time in over 18 years. When I was in the young women's program I had no idea that my young women leaders loved and learned as much at camp as we did. Because I didn't want to leave Mo to man the house for all three days I only went up all day Tuesday and back up Wednesday night. The young women in our ward are amazing girls... it is so much fun to be able to be around them and to share in their energy in living the gospel principles. I learn so much from them. On Tuesday morning I picked up the canoe's from the Weber State Recreation Department and headed up to Mantua with my friend Amy (the beehive advisor who makes young womens even more fun- thanks Amy!). We got there just in time for crafts and lunch(our camp director hired the best camp cooks so every meal was fabulous). After lunch we spent the afternoon canoeing on Mantua lake. For any of you who are not familiar with it- it is the little lake up Sardine Canyon. I thought it was going to be a horrible place for camp but I was definitely wrong(I was right about the moss), it was actually the perfect place. The girls loved paddling out the canoe's to the deeper water past the moss so that they could swim. All of the leaders had so much fun canoeing with them. Being together in the outdoors away from all of our distractions really helped us all become better friends. Amy and I stayed for dinner and then we headed home so that I could relieve Mo of his duties before it got too late. I headed back up Wednesday afternoon mostly to hear Joni speak. I figured since I had her asked to do it that I better go support her. She did such a great job. I know she prepared her talk for the girls but every word she said was something that I personally needed to hear. When I got called to young womens I was really excited but I was also really worried because I wasn't sure that I could offer the girls what they needed in the way of spiritual strength. What I have come to realize though is that I wasn't called to young womens for what I could offer but I was called to young womens because of what young womens has to offer me. Being in the young womens program gives me the perfect opportunity to learn and to grow spiritually and to become closer to my savior and my father in heaven. When I was listening to Joni's talk the spirit helped me to feel and to see the person that my father in heaven intends me to be. I was inspired to be more humble and more prayerful so that I can be guided by the spirit to develop and progress to be that woman. I love when the spirit is able to touch us in a way that makes us rededicate ourselves to the things that we already know that we should be doing. After Joni spoke we had our testimony meeting. The spirit was so strong and I hope that every girl felt it and was able to realize how much love our father in heaven has for us. I think every girl bore her testimony and I am sure that even those who didn't verbally express it could feel it in their own heart. One of my favorite thoughts that was shared (by BJ) was that God is Good... Always!

Kayaking...

Mo and I were able to go kayaking on Friday (thanks Courtney) with a bunch of Mo's friends from work. It was a lot of fun- I don't think that we have gone since Jackson was born. Mo was one of the few that didn't tip. We went down the Weber River on the Henefer to Taggart stretch and I think it was the fullest that it has ever been. We love spending time with our boys but it is nice to be able to hang out and do stuff with just each other every once in awhile. I know that it is important that we take time to have fun together and to keep our relationship strong. Our boys will find security in knowing that their parents love each other and that they enjoy spending time together.

Camping Out

On Saturday night Jackson and Mo had their first camp out together. After Jackson helped Mo set up the tent in the backyard they came inside to get all of their "camping stuff" as Jackson called it. He told me he needed to borrow my sleeping bag. He also took his blue blankie and vanilla milk(his drink of choice). He had so much fun camping out with Mo. He loves spending time with his daddy. I am sure that this was the first of many campouts that Mo and the two boys will have together.

Jackson and his blue blankie...

Since Jackson was born he has always loved his fuzzy blue blankie. It has always been a source of comfort for him when he is tired, hurt, or sick. For him, as long as he has his blankie everything will be okay.
Last night when Benton was crying, Jackson brought his blue blankie to me and said," here mom, he can borrow my blankie and then he won't be sad." I think it is so cute that Jackson is willing to share something that he loves so much and that has always brought so much comfort to him with his little brother so that he can be comforted too. Jackson has such a kind little heart, and he truly loves his little brother. Jackson has already started to fill the older brother role of guardian and protector- he is always there to make sure that Benton is doing okay. As soon as we hear Benton cry, Jackson is always right there to take care of him.

Seriously???

So, I have had three people ask me if I cut Benton's hair. One of them was my sister... thanks Sha. Would any one really cut their little boys hair so that he looked like an old man? It is really funny though and really cute. Benton's hair is definitely unique.