The haircut:
Jonas has a wonderfully quizzical brow. His new haircut highlights it.
Sunday, February 27, 2011
First Cake!
Jonas had no idea what to do with his cake. He gradually began to prod it with his finger.
After demonstrating how to eat the cake he eventually tried some and I think he liked it but two nibbles was enough.
His Dad's boy for sure!
Party!
Family and friends came out this weekend to help us celebrate Jonas' 1 year birthday (a week early!) They made the day so lovely!
 |
| The corn-popper: possibly the most classic 1 year old gift and still so perfect. |
 |
| Jonas used his high chair to scoot around the kitchen to oversee the dinner preparations. |
 |
| On the fridge we had a time-line of Jonas first year. |
Monday, February 14, 2011
Wings & Ruffle Cakes
I put 35 minutes into doing my hair and 10 minutes into doing my makeup in honor of making my appearance "extra special" for Valentines Day. Matt had some pretty funny, blunt responses.
When he came home for lunch one of the first things he said is "You have wings". No he wasn't hinting that I was his angel, he noticed I tried to do a bit of a cat eye with my eyeliner. A few minutes later in the JEEP I caught him looking at me in the rear-view mirror. "Your hair is romantic" he said. Then when I told him to take a picture of the back of my chignon he said "it's huge!" I think he meant it as a compliment.
He makes me laugh.
When he came home for lunch one of the first things he said is "You have wings". No he wasn't hinting that I was his angel, he noticed I tried to do a bit of a cat eye with my eyeliner. A few minutes later in the JEEP I caught him looking at me in the rear-view mirror. "Your hair is romantic" he said. Then when I told him to take a picture of the back of my chignon he said "it's huge!" I think he meant it as a compliment.
He makes me laugh.
Matt must love me because he helped me smother a cake in ribbons of pink frosting (he hates frosting...and cake). I suppose if I had any doubts I could ask him to eat a slice to prove he loves me.
But right now it's my turn to prove I love him so I'm off to play video games.
11
Jonas is:
- almost walking around, he can take 2-4 steps on his own if he is playing with his block tower or I entice him with a soother (in other words, if he is feeling motivated)
- can stand on his own and lower himself to a crouch
- likes to scoot around on one knee and one foot
- enjoys throwing things like his ball and unfortunately food
- needs to be hugged frequently throughout the day; he's also been very sensitive and emotional this week- maybe because he is feeling a little sick?
- is very efficient at emptying drawers and cupboards
- thinks sharing a whole apple with me is the best
- enjoys drinking milk from a cup, he is actually not even too messy so I think we might bypass the sippy cups because Jonas isn't very interested in using them
- needs a haircut, his hair reaches his shoulders when it is wet
- still loves being silly and busy!
Friday, February 11, 2011
FOUND!
I have finally found a pair of flattering, affordable, comfortable jeans with the perfect bit of slouch! They are called the "boyfriend flare" which kind of sounds like an oxymoron to me but I love them- weird name and all. They are only part of Gap's spring line which means I will have to stock up if I want to have pairs around for the next few years. I've been into wide leg wool trousers for the past few years (I am still mourning my charcoal greys who passed away after being worn nearly everyday of my internship/subbing/grade 3 teaching for over a year- which were unfortunately also part of a limited Gap collection) so I'm loving the trouser leg jeans that seem to be everywhere this spring. The jeans do have one flaw- a low rise, but the high rise trouser leg jeans weren't winning Matt over and seeing as he has to look at me more than any other person I thought it would be kind to take his opinions into consideration. So here they are- being worn with 5 1/2" platforms that make me almost 6 feet tall! They make me feel so leggy. Something this long armed, long-waisted orangutan of girl has never felt in all her average leg length days!
They've got good shock value haven't they (especially seeing as I rarely wear heels)? They're a more sophisticated version of my old grade six friend's Spice Girl shoes she wore to get onto all the rides at Galaxyland because she was too short to meet the height restrictions without them.
Monday, February 7, 2011
Testimony
Today was the first time I gave my testimony in a fast & testimony meeting in years. My rough calculation of the last time I bore my testimony independent of a talk, or lesson, or a special assignment from the bishop is a looooong time ago- maybe elementary school. I usually tack one onto the end of my annual talk and convince myself that my duty is done for the year (can you imagine how awkward the first Sunday of every month would be if everyone in Church had that attitude?) It's not that I haven't had promptings to do it or had thoughts worth sharing, in fact I usually have a testimony soliloquy in my head every fast & testimony meeting (sometimes I catch Matt giving me a sideway glance that tells me I'm probably making odd faces in the process). Ultimately I've felt too scared- too wrapped up in self-conscious worries about how others might perceive me and too inadequate at intelligently articulating my thoughts how loud without working them out on paper first.
Today the prompting came during the passing of the sacrament. I thought "But what am I going to say?" Sure enough as the meeting progressed the thought came- you've been thinking about gratitude the last couple months- the importance of recognizing blessings and thanking the Lord for them- like President Monson talked about at General Conference. The thought was followed by six successive experiences that have taught me to have a more grateful attitude. I sketched them out on a scrap of paper under my thesis and followed it up with a summary of what I have learned. I had something to say.
There were a couple brief pauses but I stayed immobile in my seat still weighing the choice. Then the most compelling thought came to my head "Could I trust enough in the Lord to help me?" There was a man who had been quietly dealing with skin cancer for the last six months who made this knowledge public along with his testimony of relying on the Lord. There was a Korean boy in Matt's senior primary who has barely spoken a word of English since he was uprooted to Canada. There was my friend Chelsea and her husband who always step up to the silent gaps and fill them with a simple and powerful testimony of the things they know are true. They trusted enough in the Lord. I could feel my excuses being stripped from me as one by one people stood to bear their testimony. I whispered to Matt that I thought I was going to bear my testimony too.
I waited until the last minute. The branch president was about to stand up and conclude the meeting but he seemed to pause a moment. I wasn't conscious of moving until I looked down and saw my foot ascend the first step to the stand. I felt calm as stepped up to the pulpit and looked into the faces opposite. And then the Lord did support me. All I had had do to was stand and walk to the front. Don't get me wrong- I didn't give a smooth delivery- my voice sounded strangled as I tried to repress my emotions. But I could feel a sense of confidence that I will get better as I practice bearing my testimony more often. And I could feel my testimony grow. I felt especially glad I had had the courage to thank my Heavenly Father for my many blessings as we sung "Count Your Many Blessings" at the close of the meeting.
I am striving to improve at recognizing and giving thanks for blessings. I remember I was talking to my Mom on the phone once while I was in university when she said in a matter of fact way that the Lord had really blessed me for going to seminary by helping me learn my high school material quickly. I knew that what she had said was true and I immediately realized I had not recognized or given thanks for that blessing. I've also since realized how important waking up at 5:15 and studying the scriptures everyday for four years was in teaching me consistency. And how empowering it is to start my day with the power that comes from those righteous patterns of scripture study and prayer. I am sure doing those things daily protected me from evil influences and temptation more than I can ever know and they still give that power now.
I recently wrote my parents a (long over-due!) thank-you note for their courageous parenting decisions. They set clear standards for our home that have protected me spiritually and kept me morally clean. Especially their no sleepover and no dating before 16 policies. I fought those relentlessly and they stood firm relentlessly. I can remember saying "But you can't stop me from dating, I have free agency". My mom said "Of course you have your free agency, you have the choice to choose to date before you are 16 but we will not support that decision." I didn't like those words at the time, but I respected them. Sneaky dating didn't hold much appeal and by the time I had acquired some sense at 16 I realized I didn't even want to date any of the boys I knew.
My life is full of those sorts of experiences where I can look back and see the blessings in retrospect that were invisible to me at the time of a trial or disappointment. Coming to Lloydminster was another. When Matt and I visited Lloydminster as a prospective place to live and work I almost immediately crossed it off my list. But I felt that the Lord wanted us to be here. I have already experienced a lot of blessings for that decision. I was hired for a teaching job that was full of challenges I overcame to develop confidence in my abilities, I've made friends who have strengthened me greatly through their words and examples, I've felt like a needed, integral part of the branch, and I have had experiences that have helped come closer to realizing my potential as a special daughter of God. All reminders that Heavenly Father has custom designed this proving ground of mortal life, right down to the obstacles, to give me the experiences I need to in order to become the person he knows I can become.
I know that "if the billowing surge conspire[s] against [me]; if fierce winds become [my] enemy; if the heavens gather blackness, and all the elements combine to hedge up the way; and above all, if the very jaws of hell gape open the mouth wide after [me], [I] know, that all these things shall give [me] experience, and shall be for [my] good" (D&C 122:7). I have felt the winds of life test me but they haven't heightened to billowing surges yet. I feel the Lord is giving me the experiences I need now to develop a deep-rooted testimony, firmly embedded in the rock, that is Christ our Savior, to prepare me so that I will remain unshaken in my faith when they do. I am grateful for this. I say these things in the name of Jesus Christ, amen.
Today the prompting came during the passing of the sacrament. I thought "But what am I going to say?" Sure enough as the meeting progressed the thought came- you've been thinking about gratitude the last couple months- the importance of recognizing blessings and thanking the Lord for them- like President Monson talked about at General Conference. The thought was followed by six successive experiences that have taught me to have a more grateful attitude. I sketched them out on a scrap of paper under my thesis and followed it up with a summary of what I have learned. I had something to say.
There were a couple brief pauses but I stayed immobile in my seat still weighing the choice. Then the most compelling thought came to my head "Could I trust enough in the Lord to help me?" There was a man who had been quietly dealing with skin cancer for the last six months who made this knowledge public along with his testimony of relying on the Lord. There was a Korean boy in Matt's senior primary who has barely spoken a word of English since he was uprooted to Canada. There was my friend Chelsea and her husband who always step up to the silent gaps and fill them with a simple and powerful testimony of the things they know are true. They trusted enough in the Lord. I could feel my excuses being stripped from me as one by one people stood to bear their testimony. I whispered to Matt that I thought I was going to bear my testimony too.
I waited until the last minute. The branch president was about to stand up and conclude the meeting but he seemed to pause a moment. I wasn't conscious of moving until I looked down and saw my foot ascend the first step to the stand. I felt calm as stepped up to the pulpit and looked into the faces opposite. And then the Lord did support me. All I had had do to was stand and walk to the front. Don't get me wrong- I didn't give a smooth delivery- my voice sounded strangled as I tried to repress my emotions. But I could feel a sense of confidence that I will get better as I practice bearing my testimony more often. And I could feel my testimony grow. I felt especially glad I had had the courage to thank my Heavenly Father for my many blessings as we sung "Count Your Many Blessings" at the close of the meeting.
I am striving to improve at recognizing and giving thanks for blessings. I remember I was talking to my Mom on the phone once while I was in university when she said in a matter of fact way that the Lord had really blessed me for going to seminary by helping me learn my high school material quickly. I knew that what she had said was true and I immediately realized I had not recognized or given thanks for that blessing. I've also since realized how important waking up at 5:15 and studying the scriptures everyday for four years was in teaching me consistency. And how empowering it is to start my day with the power that comes from those righteous patterns of scripture study and prayer. I am sure doing those things daily protected me from evil influences and temptation more than I can ever know and they still give that power now.
I recently wrote my parents a (long over-due!) thank-you note for their courageous parenting decisions. They set clear standards for our home that have protected me spiritually and kept me morally clean. Especially their no sleepover and no dating before 16 policies. I fought those relentlessly and they stood firm relentlessly. I can remember saying "But you can't stop me from dating, I have free agency". My mom said "Of course you have your free agency, you have the choice to choose to date before you are 16 but we will not support that decision." I didn't like those words at the time, but I respected them. Sneaky dating didn't hold much appeal and by the time I had acquired some sense at 16 I realized I didn't even want to date any of the boys I knew.
My life is full of those sorts of experiences where I can look back and see the blessings in retrospect that were invisible to me at the time of a trial or disappointment. Coming to Lloydminster was another. When Matt and I visited Lloydminster as a prospective place to live and work I almost immediately crossed it off my list. But I felt that the Lord wanted us to be here. I have already experienced a lot of blessings for that decision. I was hired for a teaching job that was full of challenges I overcame to develop confidence in my abilities, I've made friends who have strengthened me greatly through their words and examples, I've felt like a needed, integral part of the branch, and I have had experiences that have helped come closer to realizing my potential as a special daughter of God. All reminders that Heavenly Father has custom designed this proving ground of mortal life, right down to the obstacles, to give me the experiences I need to in order to become the person he knows I can become.
I know that "if the billowing surge conspire[s] against [me]; if fierce winds become [my] enemy; if the heavens gather blackness, and all the elements combine to hedge up the way; and above all, if the very jaws of hell gape open the mouth wide after [me], [I] know, that all these things shall give [me] experience, and shall be for [my] good" (D&C 122:7). I have felt the winds of life test me but they haven't heightened to billowing surges yet. I feel the Lord is giving me the experiences I need now to develop a deep-rooted testimony, firmly embedded in the rock, that is Christ our Savior, to prepare me so that I will remain unshaken in my faith when they do. I am grateful for this. I say these things in the name of Jesus Christ, amen.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)