Penny for your thoughts

I was walking out of work today and happened across this little man-

and although at first I was really excited about having good luck the rest of the day, I looked at the penny again and saw the words, "In God We Trust". And today, that statement rang especially true in my heart, because I had just listened to a beautiful talk by President Eyering,  "Where is the Pavillion?"

There is certainly a little more peace to be found- even if answers have not yet come- when we place our trust in God.

I KNOW it, I LIVE it, I LOVE it

Alright, we have switched domain names, added a tool that will block certain IP addresses- and we are back to public!

Why is this important to me? 

Because I have thoughts. 

(that is from Julie & Julia for those kindred spirits out there)

Because I have thoughts, I have a story, and I have a testimony.

So we're going to fight to stay public.

A couple of thoughts for tonight. I was listening to Sister Ann M Dibb's talk the other day- I know it, I live it, I love it - and just wanted to shout and sing for joy.

I am a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints.

I know it because I search the scriptures, the Bible and the Book of Mormon, and receive daily affirmation through prayer that this is the true church.

I live it because I want to be with sweet Rafe forever.

I love it because as I follow the teachings of Christ's gospel, I am filled with a happiness that surpasses anything else in this world.

Know it, Live it, Love it.

Privatized

I work for an AMAZING company- this last weekend they took us to see Iron Man 3- so naturally I had to actually watch all of 1 and 2 in order to be caught up! One of my favorite lines in Iron Man 2 was when Tony says something about how he has privatized world peace... anyway, if you know the scene, it was funny, and I thought about that when I wrote the title of the blog.

My private blog. Blah. I don't like that it's private, but we'll see if something can't be done about that. For now however, we are private.

What Rafe has been up to lately...

Caught ya!

Helping out Aunt Maddie while she chops off his hair...

Buzzed!!!!

My son, licking the lid of the can of Puffs...

saying "Hello, Bruce"

Climbing the mini-rock wall at the park. Yup. He's going to be a climber.

Unable to sit still for a simple picture... Too much to explore at the Tulip Festival!!!

Phinn's worst nightmare: being left in an enclosed space with Rafe....

Batman!!

Chomping on an apple & doing his morning stretches

Oh wait, this apple is good for me ?!?

We are wrapping up a chapter in our lives this week here in Highland, Utah- and beginning a new one in Alpine, Utah! Moving along with my parents about 5 minutes away to a beautiful new home. I'm certain it will take Rafe less than 5 seconds to fall in love with this new place- there is a cute little playhouse built into one of the walls in the basement :) And plenty of stairs for climbing on!

Rafe is the sweetest little rascal around. The other night I was snuggling with him while he slept, and after a moment he woke up, saw me, giggled, leaned in for a kiss, then after promptly fell back asleep. My heart melted, I cried, I snuggled him as hard as I could. What a precious little blessing he is in my life.

Love you forever Rafe

Elder Bednar

I love Elder Bednar. 

I stumbled across this, his first General Conference address as a newly ordained Apostle.

---

In the strength of the Lord we can do and endure and overcome all things.

I love Rafe.

I love Rafe.

I love the pattern he and I have getting home each day- he walks over to Bailey's (the outside dog) food bin, we walk over to her dish, then back to the food bin- all the while he points out where I'm supposed to be going, where I'm supposed to put the food. Then we go in and do the same for Phinn (inside dog). 

I love that he tells me he is ready for dinner by grabbing his bib and sitting himself in his chair- and insisting that he buckles himself in- "I do!!"

I love that when I say, "Bath time! Let's go downstairs!!" He immediately knows to open the door to the basement and slide down- but then once I've reached the bottom of the stairs as well, he grins and tries to run back up. It's a little game we play- he loves his bath, but likes to pretend like he won't go in it for a few minutes.

I love how unbelievably stubborn he is. The other night he was exhausted- almost falling asleep while I gave him his bed time bottle (he is getting a little old for this... but I can't help it, I love that last few minutes of quiet with him before bed) anyway- he was so tired, and I tried to help him out by holding his bottle for him.... he batted my hand away so fast and gripped his bottle himself so tight his little fingers turned white. He does things his own way- and in his own time.

I love how willing he is to give kisses- and how he knows the easiest way to get out of trouble is to lay a big wet one on me.

I love that he spends his time in the car taking off his shoes and socks... and then trying to put them back on. He does a pretty decent job with the socks- the shoes we'll need to work on :)

He is growing so fast- this time last year I was starting to draft ideas for his first birthday- now I'm doing so for his second!! He is the greatest blessing in my life.

I love Rafe.

I gave a talk today in church and want to share it on my blog- in General Conference, Neil L. Andersen said, "For those using the Internet and mobile phones, there are new ways to invite others to “come and see.” Let’s make sharing our faith online more a part of our daily life. LDS.org, Mormon.org, Facebook, Twitter—all provide opportunities." I added a new tab to the top of the blog, called Testimony. As I wrote the talk, I know I had the help of the Lord with every word.

"Come and See"

Schmupdate

Wasn't General Conference wonderful? I have been looking forward to this weekend for many weeks now, and it was everything I had hoped for. What a wonderful time we live in- we can listen to the voice of our Prophet, Apostles and General Authority leaders on television, on our computers, on our phones, and the radio. Really no excuse to not listen!! And how about Sister Dalton? She could teach the popular women of today a thing or two about class.

Rafe weighs 23 lbs as of his last doctors appointment (Friday). I am grateful for such a healthy, wonderful child. But I do wish he was a bit more chunky (because who doesn't want more to love?) so I made some cookies tonight & plan to give him one with every meal this week... just kidding. About giving him one every meal, at least. I did make beautiful cookies.

 

The sun is staying out longer which I am so grateful for. It was getting depressing there for a while. But now we have more time in the evening to play and blow bubbles and take dogs for walks! I am especially looking forward to summer hours at the petting zoo and the Tulip Festival, Rafe is old enough to actually walk around and explore!! (not to mention our Thanksgiving Point pass gets us in for freeeeee)

Lots of changes happening in life right now. It's an exciting time and I'm grateful for my family, friends and just a wonderfully hard but blessed life. I know who to thank for it.

 

I have now bought two new pairs of jeans in the past month, neither of which fit me. They are too big. The second pair was smaller than the first, and it still didn't work. Now, some might say, boo hoo Paige you're pants don't fit, cry me a river. Well. When you sink money into a pair of jeans and are foolish enough to take the tags off before trying them on, you really do feel like crying a river of stupid. Or maybe just a stream of stupid. But still. Blah.

My son is the bravest boy I know. He'll jump off of anything, run up to strange people and strange dogs, and stick his fingers in any electrical plug he finds.

He'll stick his hand in a lions mouth, too.

 

If that's not bravery, I don't know what is.

Oh, and I've been assigned to speak in church this coming Sunday, which unlike most people I am really looking forward to!! (and no, not because it'll be family getting up with Rafe every ten minutes and not me... but maybe)

Fan the flame, dear friends.

A Picture Says A Thousand Words

But I didn't take any pictures!

Easter Sunday was lovely. Rafe and I attended Church, then packed up the Subaboo & headed up to Logan to have dinner with my grandparents! It is a perfectly lovely drive to make on your own, long enough to have some time alone to think & ponder (no I did not ignore my child, he fell asleep on me) but it's not so long that you feel doomed to wander in the wilderness for 40 years (cough cough... drive to St. George)

My grandparents live in a quiet little town that has a magnificent view of the mountains (I want to sing "Climb Every Mountain" every time I look at them) and they keep a little coop of chickens in the backyard. I can't actually remember a time when my grandparents didn't have a coop of chickens in the backyard! It was a really interesting experience roaming around their house with Rafe in tow... seeing all the toys I played with, or furniture pieces I used to climb all over... and there was my son, doing the same thing 5 years later!! (just kidding, more like 10...)

It's always a pleasing site to see someone love your child, and I really enjoyed watching my grandparents interact with Rafe that day!!

When we returned home and Rafe was in bed, I sat down and enjoyed watching Charlton Heston for the rest of the evening. Anyone else remember The Ten Commandments being on television every Easter Sunday, back in the day? Well I finally found the DVD, and for quite the bargain. 

It was divine.

Happy Easter!