sorry

Okay, maybe I offended people with my last post, but nobody had the decency to tell me. Hmph! Anyway, I'll try to come up with something better, more appropriate, maybe. (Although I didn't think the last one was all that bad).

We've been able to do some pretty fun things here. Emilee and I went to the zoo with our friends last Monday. Then, we went again on Saturday with Britt. It was so much fun! A definite plus was that we got to go for free via the culture pass offerred by our public library. Yay!

Emilee and I also went to the library's story time last week. They did action songs, read a book, played with musical instruments (or, rather, noisemakers - tamborines and marracas), blew bubbles, and had balls to throw around at the end. I was quite impressed. And, I think Emilee enjoyed herself when she wasn't getting in trouble. She kept walking up to the front and tried changing songs on the i-pod. Crazy little girl. I think we will go back again tomorrow for more fun!

Other than that, we spend our days making messes . . . and cleaning them up. And repeating that . . . a few times. Oh, and we've also tried to go swimming a little bit more. Em will pretty much stay on the step and just walk back and forth or splash around. Though sometimes she'll dunk herself a little.

Emilee has been more vocal lately as Jamie is already telling everyone. I am trying to ask her more often to say words. She tries to say blue and black (we practice those when she is coloring with her colored pencils); it sounds like she's trying to say "thank you" along with signing it; she started to say "bye, bye" last week; when in a good mood, she'll say "woah" about almost everything; she learned to say "go, go, go" from the Signing Time video; she'll say "yeah" often; she says "sssh, ssss, sss" for Sneetches; "cheese" whenever anyone has a camera out; and she tries to say treat while signing it with her own sign (she uses the sign for peach). However, she does seem to favor the word "no." In fact she likes it so much that she'll use it even when she means to say yes. Sometimes it makes it hard to figure out if she wants a snack or a drink or to watch a video. What a stinker!

She is definitely a ham when we have company over. It's pretty fun as Mom to watch her put on a show because I know what is normal behavior and what is not. She has a good time impressing people, and people enjoy watching her, so I guess everyone wins.

Quick quip!

Trying to think of things to write, but I'm tired. Britt had orientation all last week. Boy did they wine and dine the incoming class!! I figure the faculty and staff were being nice so they could start off with a good impression before slamming the med students with work. As our bishop pointed out tonight, Britt was eating his last supper. How horrible coming from a doctor who must know what is to come!!! Actually, we had a really pleasant time at our Bishop's house. They invited us to come to dinner along with five other couples in the ward!! And, surprisingly, there was enough food and space for everyone. It was a very nice gesture that I really appreciated.

Anyway, pictures of Emilee? Is that what I hear? Okay. We took a few at the Botanical Gardens (in Phoenix) and a few others at home.

The problem with the Gardens was that we went in the summer . . . in Phoenix . . . 'nough said.

Mommy reading to Emilee and Maya. We got to have playtime for a little while.

Emilee wouln't get off Daddy. So I got the camera out.

Checking out the NEW training potty. We're not quite there yet, but it was on sale, and I want Em to start getting used to it. I've gotten her to sit on it a couple of times (with clothes & diaper still on) while Mommy goes potty. She gets excited and points for me to sit down before she will. I know that's probably too much information, but it's cute, too.

The Priesthood of God

Hello All. Well, its that time again, another once-in-a-year blog post by yours truly. I know I don't come around that often, but I wanted to share this with anyone who reads.
For those of you who don't know, Desi and I are members of the LDS Church (a.k.a. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, a.k.a. Mormons). As part of our theology, we believe that Christ's Church was restored to this earth by a Prophet called of God as was Moses, Abraham, Noah, and all of the other Prophets of old. This Prophet, Joseph Smith, received the authority from God to act in His name. That authority is known as the Priesthood.
I am grateful to know that God's authority is on the earth today and that worthy men can use it to serve and bless the lives of others. I received the authority of the Priesthood from my father and used it in the early hours this morning to bless my young daughter. She became sick yesterday and began running temperatures that we found to be around 101-102.4 degrees.
Early this morning, Desi woke up because Emilee had awakened. When I came out to see the two of them, Em looked miserable and she felt really hot. We gave her some medicine, and then I asked if she wanted a blessing. She actually nodded and said her small "yeah." So, I placed my hands on her head and proffered a blessing of healing as I felt prompted. Her fever broke soon thereafter and she has been a joy today.

Lake Havasu City

We decided to take a final trip before Britt starts Med School. We chose Grandma BB's house. On Saturday, our family packed up the car and headed over. Emilee did okay at the beginning, but she decided she does not like being buckled in, held in one place. I kept pulling things out of her toy/book bag with fair, but short-lived, success. She refused to take a nap and let us know just how unhappy she was for the latter part of the trip. Sigh, I can only imagine how it was for my parents when I was growing up and there were five unhappy travelers sitting in back. I decided the car industry needs to design a swivel seat for the front passenger. That way Mom can turn and provide entertainment without upsetting her back or making her arm go numb. Then again, maybe other moms are better at ignoring children in the back. I should take a poll.

So far, we've had two big meals at Uncle Randy's house. Emilee's had a good time playing around there, especially with the dogs. Apparently the kennel is popular for small children.

At the Rask's house Closing herself in the kennel & proud of it

Taking the dogs' balls in

Basking in her conquest Enjoying homemade ice cream

Playing with the dogs Still playing

The never-ending card game

We watched some of the fireworks from Grandma BB's balcony. Emilee thought it was cool, but she didn't stay interested for very long ('course it was way past her bedtime).