Hiking

We had a long weekend for Pioneer Day, so we decided to go hiking as a family.  We went on a hike up in Little Cottonwood Canyon: Mill B South, for anyone who's interested.  Very short, but a good test run to see how Cosette would do.  It was the first time we took Cosette hiking, and she did great!  Thanks, Kelli, for the backpack.

Cosette spent a lot of time sucking her thumb and enjoying the view 

Our family, happy hikers

Cosette enjoyed getting out of the backpack and exploring her surroundings

She had a lot of fun watching the water

Video of Cosette walking

As promised, here is a short video of Cosette walking.  It's funny how my voice sounds different in video than in real life.   Enjoy.

Discovery Gateway Children's Museum

On Wednesday I took Cosette to the Discovery Gateway Children's Museum in Salt Lake City.  For those of you unfamiliar with it, it's one of those hands-on learning centers for kids.  We decided to go because my sister Suzanne was taking her kids and I thought it would be fun to meet up with them.  I'm really glad we went, because Cosette had a lot of fun.
We started at an exhibit with plastic balls.  There were all kinds of bins and tubes to put the balls in, but Cosette mostly just wanted to carry the balls around.

Playing with balls

We spent most of our time in a small section made just for children under 3.  It was less chaotic and less busy than the other areas of the museum, which was nice.  Cosette's favorite thing was climbing up and down the stairs and slides (wide metal slabs on a shallow incline).

Queen of the castle

Fun on the slide

Climbing up the slide

Here's a video of Cosette on the slide.  I think she's looking so grown-up all of a sudden.  When did that happen?

 

Cosette also played with a push toy, but she didn't know how to use it.  I thought it was so funny watching her try to figure out what is was for.  She never did get it right, but she still had fun playing with it.  At one point she was standing up, but she held on to the wrong end!  What a cutie.

What is this thing for?

Is it a back scratcher?

Does it go on my head?

We also spent a few minutes playing in a water area.  Cosette had a hard time reaching over the side to get to the water, but she still had a fun time.

Playing with water

Here's a video of Cosette playing with the water. As you'll see, she decided that she didn't need to wear the water proof smock. It was way too big for her, anyway.

With Aunt Suzanne

With Mommy

Thanks, Suzanne, for inviting us to join you.  I'm thinking we might buy a membership there when Cosette is a little older and can appreciate more of the exhibits.  We'll definitely go back sometime.

Playing in the sand

We have a playground in our complex with sand/gravel.  Cosette LOVES to play in the sand.  She's definitely not afraid of getting dirty!  Here are some pictures and a video I took about a month ago.

It's always "fun" changing her diaper after she plays in the sand...  But her happiness makes the mess worth it.  I'm glad she gets so much joy and pleasure out of playing outside.

First...

This week Christine and I witnessed Cosette's first steps, but not at the same time. You might ask how this is possible.  Well Christine witnessed Cosette's first step, and I witnessed Cosette's first steps.  On Tuesday while I was at work Cosette took her first step for Christine.  She did it at least once a day.  But poor daddy didn't get to see it.  I was hoping all day Saturday that I would get to see her try to walk.  Nothing doing.  Then, this morning I was treated to 3 complete steps in a row.  This time mommy wasn't around.  Since then Cosette took 2 steps twice during Sunday School and 3 steps during Priesthood Mtg. Poor mommy, she still hasn't seen Cosette take more than one step at a time. I don't think that will last for long.
Cosette has been doing this all on her own.  For some time she has been walking along furniture, but now she'll stand up wherever she is and start walking. 
We don't have any video of her walking yet. So far she hasn't cooperated for the camera. I'm sure that will change soon. She'll be running in no time.

Thoughts on my father from 7-year-old me

I thought it was only fair that both my mother and father should get to read what I wrote about them in second grade.
So here you go, dad!

On a page where I was asked to describe each family member, next to Father I wrote He's funny and he's a good father to me

And on a page where I was asked to describe people that I admire, I wrote
I admire My Dad because he is kind, nice, loving, and understading.  My dad helps me with my problems.  And he cudles up with me when I'm scared.  He's also very handsom (I think so.)

Happy Father's Day, Dad!  Love you!

Insights on motherhood from Mosiah Chapter 2

I'm currently reading a collection of short essays on motherhood written by LDS moms (The Moms' Club Diaries, for anyone who'd like to read it), and they've really been making me think about my role as a mother.
In this mindset, I sat down to read Mosiah chapter 2 in my personal scripture study the other day, and I found that a lot of it directly applied to my role as a mother.  I'm referring to the verses where Benjamin speaks about serving the people as their king.  I'm sure I'm not the first person to relate these verses to mothers, but it was a new thought for me and I wanted to share.  (Words in italics have been altered from the original scripture.)

10  I have not commanded you to come up hither that ye should fear me, or that ye should think that I of myself am more than a mortal woman.
11  But I am like as yourselves, subject to all manner of infirmities in body and mind; yet I have been chosen ... and was suffered by the hand of the Lord that I should be a mother over these children; and have been kept and preserved by his matchless power, to serve you with all the might, mind and strength which the Lord hath granted unto me.
Sometimes I feel like I'm supposed to be perfect, but it's ok to be human.  It's also ok to admit that we're human.  We will make mistakes, but we have been chosen for this role.  If we rely on Christ and don't try to do it all on our own, our best will be good enough.  He will give us the might, mind and strength that we need to be righteous mothers in Zion.

12  I say unto you that as I have been suffered to spend my days in your service, even up to this time, and have not sought gold nor silver nor any manner of riches of you;
Isn't that a good description of motherhood?  We spend our days in service of our families, and our payment is not monetary.

13  Neither have I suffered that ye should be confined in dungeons, nor that ye should make slaves one of another, nor that ye should murder, or plunder, or steal, or commit adultery; nor even have I suffered that ye should commit any manner of wickedness, and have taught you that ye should keep the commandments of the Lord, in all things which he hath commanded you--
It is part of our roles as mothers to teach our children the commandments, to do our best to keep them out of trouble.  It's more of a stretch, but the reference to dungeons made me think about the responsibility of keeping a beautiful and orderly home.

14  And even I, myself, have labored with mine own hands that I might serve you, ... and that there should nothing come upon you which was grievous to be borne--and of all these things of which I have spoken, ye yourselves are witnesses this day.
I think we all desire to give our children a happy childhood, and to shield them from sadness whenever possible.  While I know Cosette will go through trials in her life, as we all do, when it's within my power I want to spare her from things which are "grievous to be borne".

15  Yet, my brethren, I have not done these things that I might boast, neither do I tell these things that thereby I might accuse you; but I tell you these things that ye may know that I can answer a clear conscience before God this day.
16  Behold, I say unto you that because I said unto that I had spent my days in your service, I do not desire to boast, for I have only been in the service of God.

These verses made me stop and think - what is my motivation when I'm serving my family?  I admit I'm not always Christlike, and there are days that I want more recognition and praise than I receive.  But I should strive to serve out of love.  I should also be grateful for all of the many ways that Jeff helps around the house, and not seek to "accuse" him of not doing enough.

17  And behold, I tell you these things that ye may learn wisdom; that ye may learn that when ye are in the service of your fellow beings ye are only in the service of you God.

I know this scripture is often quoted, but that's the real heart of motherhood, isn't it?  We're not just serving our family members - we're serving God each and every day.

18  Behold, ye have called me your mother; and if I, whom ye call your mother, do labor to serve you, then ought not ye to labor to serve one another?

19  And behold also, if I, whom ye call your mother, who has spent her days in your service, and yet has been in the service of God, do merit any thanks from you, O how you ought to thank your heavenly King.

What a wonderful thought.  Our service can be an example to our children and help them to turn to their Heavenly Father.  I know my mother's example for me helped me to gain and strengthen my own testimony, and I hope I can do the same for my children.

I hope you got something out of these insights.  I know I'll never read these verses in Mosiah chapter 2 without thinking of the divine calling of motherhood.