For example, Tommy sat in the grocery cart for the first time without being in his car seat. So many people commented to me about my cute kids. I have to agree, they really are adorable.
Tommy also got to swing in the swing at the park for the first time. He got to play in the sandpit for the first time too and eat all the dirt he wanted.
Logan and I watched Star Wars Episodes 4, 5 & 6 this week. We had a three night marathon. I had never seen them all the way through so that was a first for me.
Tommy also learned how to sit up on his own this week! (Although we do have to strategically place pillows around him still.)
Yesterday Tommy learned how to clap! Except I don't have a picture of that but I do have this totally awesome picture of him in the Lego bucket.
Another first this week was seeing a rat walk through our back yard. Logan said it was exactly the size of Elsy's Beanie Baby rat. He may or may not have scared my pants off with said Beanie Baby today. What can I say, I am a little on edge.
Logan took us to a new park for the first time on Mercer Island. Logan, Elsy, and I had a fun time throwing rocks into Lake Washington. There was also a super awesome playground area with a zip line. Sadly Elsy fell off the top of the zip line ramp onto her face. She was so sad with a mouth full of wood chips and blood, welt on her cheek, scratches on her forehead, and scuffs on her nose. She landed right on her face and neck but we are just grateful it wasn't worse.
Another first this week is this here post. You see, my new goal is to do a weekly post on Sunday with some pictures and thoughts about the week, kind of like a journal entry. I have loved having a journal and have really tried to keep it up but lately I have really been struggling to find the time. So I thought this would be faster and more simple... and also be fun because I can add pictures.
Recently Logan and I have made a goal to go on a date every Friday. My parents always went out every weekend and we thought that was something we needed to make the effort to do. It can be really challenging to just hold a normal conversation when you have little kids around asking for your attention all the time. So we decided to work babysitting $$ into our budget and go once a week. Well this Friday we went to a Mongolian grill (one we were trying for the first time). My fortune cookie read "Good thoughts make life better." Now I know that fortune cookies really have nothing to do with your fortune at all, but this little message was just perfect for me. You see, lately I have been really struggling with the mundane-ness of being a mom. And a few days ago while reading in 2 Nephi 4 I realized that a good key to helping me out would be to change my attitude and focus more on the things that I am grateful for. I dusted off my old gratitude journal that I have been doing on and off for years and decided to start an "on" cycle again. Already I can tell a huge difference in my day and how satisfied I feel with my life again.
One last thought I wanted to share was about an article I read in the Ensign this week. The article is called Blessing Our Children by Improving Our Marriage. My Grandma Merkley had suggested we read it and I am so glad I did. In the article, Spencer W. Kimball is quoted saying: "Marriage... has to do not only with immediate happiness, but also with eternal joys. It affects not only the two people involved, but also their families and particularly their children and their children's children down through many generations." Then the author says "I often explain to people that they aren't just creating their own marriages but in essence their children's and grandchildren marriages as well." Some people might read that and think "uh oh" but I was pleasantly surprised to find the feeling I was feeling was a feeling of excitement. You see, I absolutely love my marriage. I know we are far from perfect and we have our ups and downs... I mean we are human after all! But I realized that if my children and my grandchildren had marriages that were like mine, I would not worry. I was excited for them to have a relationship like the one Logan and I have. I am so grateful for a husband who talks with me about anything and everything. We laugh a lot still and we just get along. He helps with the chores and takes such good care of the kids. Thanks Mom and Dad for setting a good example for us kids. :)
One more thing for the records: Washington state is burning to the ground in a hundred wildfires in the East and in the West we are being blown away with wind storms causing power outages everywhere. I am glad our power was only out for like a half hour.
