February 12, 2017

Today was our ward conference.  And another Sunday.  We met with a member of the Primary Presidency, Sherine Smith, before church to talk about Austin's upcoming baptism.  She had a cute questionnaire to fill out about Austin.  When she asked him what his favorite meal was, he said, "Turkey Sandwiches!"  That boy LOVES turkey sandwiches like nothing else.  And when she asked him to name something he is good at, he said, "Eating."  Ha ha.  It was funny.  I put all the boys in their new suits today.  They all looked so handsome.  Austin's is a size 12, even though he is seven years old!  He's taller than a few deacons in our ward.  He's very excited to be baptized.  I love him so much.  He has brought so much joy and happiness into to our home.

I gave Lance a little nap before church, and then I woke him up when it was time to go.  He was a nightmare during Sacrament Meeting.  He was so cranky and he just kept saying, "NOPE!" to every trick I tried to pull out of the church bag.  I tried to take him into the hall, but he just cried and cried to leave.  And he wouldn't let me put him down.  I hate to walk around and hold him because it hurts my back.  I tried to keep him quiet for awhile, but finally, just as the stake president was about to speak, I gave up and went home with him.  I decided I would call Mom and see if she could come over.  She was busy getting ready for the Eardley's to come to dinner but she gave me some good encouragement.  I fed Lance and let him relax for a minute and then packed some candy and toys and headed back to the church.  Greg and I got to sit together in the chapel for the combined Priesthood and Relief Society meeting.  We just kept Lance with us, eating candy and playing Greg's iPad.  This is Lance's worst time of day!  This is a really hard time to have church.  I've decided that I can't just wake him and take him straight to church.  He needs time to wake up a bit before we leave.  Somehow, some way, we will get through this year of 2:30 church.  Ugh!

The stake president talked about something that has been on my mind a lot lately.  He talked all about the Abrahamic Covenant and the building of Zion.  He really emphasized that we can be working toward Zion, and have the safety and peace of being in a Stake of Zion, while the whole world is getting increasingly wicked.  I was surprised that he was talking about this because I had just written about this earlier this week!  Anyway, it was a great lesson.

We made it home at about 5:45, and a little after six I had a chicken dinner on the table, with mashed potatoes and gravy, corn, jell-o, and rolls.  We all ate until we were full, and then everyone helped with the cleanup.  We played a little bit of a game called JackBox before bed.  It was really fun and full of laughs.  Even though Sundays are proving to be a little difficult, I am so grateful to have a day where we can all be together.  I love my little family.

Bath time for Owen!

I also want to record a couple of funny things Owen has said lately.  He is hard to keep up with, but he can be so funny!  The other day he and I were going to go outside to practice riding his bike.  I hadn't really gotten dressed for the day, so I grabbed a bra to put on. Owen said, "Why do you need one of those?" And then before I could answer, he said while gesturing at his chest, hands bouncing up and down, "Oh, I know.  Is it so your "bing bongs" don't bounce like this?" My bing bongs??  I about fell over laughing.  And he started laughing too.  It was super funny.  I don't know how he came up with that one!

This morning as I got him ready for church, he looked so handsome in his new suit.  He was smiling as I fixed his hair, looking very pleased with himself.  So I said, "Owen, how does it feel to look just like your daddy?  You are so handsome like him!"  Owen smiled.  And then to keep it going, I said, "And you are so nice like him!" (I'm always trying to encourage good traits!) And then Owen smiled into the mirror, "And sometimes I'm mean like him!"  Ha ha ha!!  I laughed and laughed.  Well, at least Owen has a realistic sense of himself.  And occasionally Owen meets Greg head on.  It's a battle that has yet to be completed.  Ha ha!

And last, but not least.  The other day, Owen came streaking through the kitchen and into the family room wearing only his undies.  He shouted loudly, "Nobody look at my nuts!"  I lost it in the kitchen. I couldn't stop laughing.  I didn't want to encourage his antics, but I just couldn't help it.  It was just too funny.  But he needs a little more education, because the other day when he was mad at me, he said, "Well, I'm gonna punch you in the nuts!" So I said, "Go ahead!  I don't have any nuts!" (He was a little stunned by that.) But thinking back now, I wish I would have said, "I only have bing bongs!"