Church Callings

Have I told you yet that I got called as the primary teacher for the CTR 5 class? If not, forget I said anything because I just got put into the primary presidency instead as the first counselor. I'm really going to miss the one-on-one with my class (easily the best and most well-behaved class in the junior primary!) but I'm so excited for the opportunity to learn and grow in this new calling. And I couldn't be more excited about the women I'll be working with! Seriously... some of my favorite people all smooshed into one presidency. I'm beyond thrilled!

Have I told you that Blake got called as the Priest Quorum Adviser? He has one active priest in the quorum who is going to college in a few months. He's got his work cut out for him, but he's already busy getting to know the young men and finding ways to reach out to them in ways they'll accept. I'm proud of the work he's doing.

The Park

There's a park not far from where we live, but right on our apartment grounds we have a little playground. Nothing too fancy, but it's still a fun diversion for Eliza in that half hour of time between dinner and bedtime that can sometimes feel really long. :)

She loves swings, but is very distrusting of slides. She doesn't even enjoy it when she goes down on our laps. We sent her down a few times on her own--she didn't flip a lid, but she certainly wasn't pleased. She'll get onto it with practice.

She also loves riding the duck. She gets a crazy ride when I'm a second passenger (and seat belt), but she also likes wiggling around on it solo.

"Um, guys? I'm stuck."

I thought Utah took the cake as far as bipolar weather was concerned, but Texas far, far surpasses it! ("Everything's bigger in Texas...") These facebook photos from Fox4 News and Weather kind of give you an idea:

These are actual numbers that actually happen! Crazy. One day it's balmy and we're all in shorts (like the pictures on the playground), and the next we're cranking the heat in the apartment and I'm makings soup and baking to generate additional heat. So we take advantage of our warm days when they come with lots of walks, trips to the park, and other adventures and outings. Pretty soon it'll be too hot for that sort of thing and swimming is the only outdoor option. (Or so we've heard. We'll see what these Texas humid summers are like!)

The Little Moments

I love capturing these little candid moments. They remind me just how valuable parenthood, motherhood, and that little baby girl are:  worth far above rubies. It is my whole life and my whole world.

Alice and Wonderland

Learning how to play Clash of Clans with Daddy
[Altogether now, Hull Family:  "Nerd... nerd... No friends... no friends..."]
[Briggs Family: I promise that's a phrase of endearment... Sort of.]

Sometimes I wish our days at home were on surveillance so I could have wonderful pictures of me and Eliza like the ones I take of her and Blake--visual proof to myself that I'm doing more than changing diapers and doing laundry... that I'm raising a child. I try to capture those pictures but generally have to settle for awkward 'selfies' and trust that the hours we spend together sometimes really do look idyllic and magical. But even without the pictures, I know that she is a marvelous blessing and miracle in my life. I hope to be the same in hers.

Playgroup

Our ward is very good at having a playgroup every Friday. I went today for the sake of being social and meeting new people. It was a good choice. It certainly beats being a hermit and holing up in the apartment. Especially since it's 76 degrees today after several days stuck in the 20's and 30's.

But the truth is, sometimes I'd rather hole up in the apartment and not shower or get dressed or put on makeup or show the world I exist. Today was one of those days. The unfortunate thing about the holing-up method is it's just plain not the Lord's way. You can only do so much to reach out, "hasten the work," and "lose your life" while staying in alone with your one-year-old.

And so, I go to playgroup.

Good things that came from playgroup:

• I showered, got dressed, did makeup, put in contacts, and got out of the house. Eliza and I were both dressed by 8:00--not sure the last time that happened. (Or if that has ever happened!) 
• Lots of sunshine. I'll definitely bring my sunglasses and a hat for Eliza next time. It was all I could do to keep her from getting sunburned.
• I met a nonmember and had a good chat with her. She's a neighbor of one of the women in the ward that is a playgroup regular. Sarah was a really fun, chill lady--I hope she comes again next week.
• I got to talk to Stephanie. I accompanied her in sacrament meeting on Sunday and she's the best candidate I've found to fill my 'bosom-friend' void. Certainly a potential kindred spirit. I hope that we can maybe get together tomorrow while Blake's studying for the GMAT. 

Well I hope you're all having a lovely Friday afternoon. The kids will be out of school in a few hours and then it's full steam ahead with weekend partying. (Except for poor Kyndal who got her wisdom teeth out. Hope you're healing up well!) Happy Friday.

President's Day Part 1 - My First Consignment Sale

Have you ever heard the word consignment? I hadn't until I left Utah. Apparently it's the non-Utah word for Kid to Kid, DI, Savers, or the like. I haven't been to any physical consignment stores yet, but Blake's cousin McKenna told me about Divine Consign--a travelling consignment sale for clothes, toys, and gear for moms and kids. It happens twice a year - once for spring/summer, and once for fall/winter. McKenna had good things to say about it so I went to check it out on President's Day.

Guys. I about started crying. Imagine Ross Dress for Less on 75% off. *angelic choruses* Beth, you're getting choked up as we speak. Don't deny it. :)

Divine Consign is very picky about the clothes they will resell--no holes, no stains, not too worn, etc. I was really impressed with the quality of the clothes and the prices were UNBELIEVABLE. For the benefit of the grandmas and aunts (particularly Brynn), here's a small glimpse at what came home with me.

Carter's Swimsuit

brand new with tags ($34.00) and hygienic liner

$8.00

Little Tots Shirt; Carters Legging

$2.00

Circo shirt and shorts

$3.00

Carters Shirt and Leggings

$0.75

From left to right - Circo, Gymboree, Skechers

$1.00; $2.00; $0.50

Carters Shirt and Garanimals Leggings

$1.13

I did "splurge" and buy a few things that weren't on 50% or 75% clearance

Baby Gap Dress

$9.00

(I'm not sure $9 for a Baby Gap dress qualifies as a splurge, but whatever.)

3 pack of Okie Dokie White Onesies

$1.25

All in all, I got 6 dresses, 10 shirts, 10 pants or shorts, 5 pairs of shoes, and a swimsuit for less than $80. Talk about the windows of heaven pouring out blessings! I don't mean this irreverently, but God sure is nice! I guess the better way to say it is that He absolutely delights to bless us. I'm sure it's one of His most fun and favorite jobs. I also love and appreciate that if little things matter to us, they matter to Him. For example, Heavenly Father knows me and knows how stressful shopping can be for me sometimes. So He inspires and motivates some awesome Christian women in Texas to spearhead this massive sale twice a year (that blesses the lives of countless moms here in the Dallas Fort-Worth area!). Then leads McKenna to the sale and inspires her to lead ME to it and then blesses me with ambition on the day of the sale to help me go check it out even though navigating is sometimes daunting. See what I mean? With all the things He has to do, it's amazing how much He goes about taking care of 'the one.' That 'one' is me, and it's you. I'm so grateful for a loving Father.

Have a great day!

Eliza's Mischief

Eliza is a hoot. She keeps us laughing and she certainly keeps us on our toes. Here are just a few of her latest shenanigans.

I call the first shenanigan the Bumbomobile. (Hey Jake... three letters away from a palindrome! Too bad bumbomobmub doesn't make any sense.) Wear the Bumbo on the go! Eliza is quite the chunk these days. I mean QUITE the chunk. While adorable, this can pose a few logistic problems in her life, including getting stuck in the Bumbo and getting clotheslined by the waistband of her pants. In this picture she was trying to shake the Bumbo off of her bum and thought it was hilarious. Not technically mischievous, but hilarious nonetheless.

The second shenanigan is due to her desire to be helpful in the kitchen. I appreciate the thought, but sometimes the execution is a little... drive-you-nuts-esque? The following baby proofing contraption has saved mine and Eliza's relationship. I can now make dinner without Eliza opening the fridge and rifling through whatever suits her fancy. It is truly wonderful.

The fridge safety belt (as I call it) came in a two pack and I thought, "Hallelujah! I can also secure the pantry!" But Blake's worried about the sticky stuff leaving bad residue on the wood, so I've resisted. I've tried to train Eliza to not get into the pantry, but I guess the temptation is just too much for her sometimes. Yesterday, enough was enough and in a moment of desperation, I rigged this solution:

Right as I was taking this picture, Eliza comes exploring into the kitchen and, as always, made her way to the pantry. I was able to switch it right to video and catch her first attempt at opening the pantry. I can't get the video to upload on the blog, so I'll just have to redirect you to the youtube link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YNQC0r_EKRQ&feature=youtu.be

Ever heard the phrase, "Necessity is the mother of invention"? Ingenuity for the win. Enjoy raiding the tupperware while you can, Lizie. I may just have another stroke of genius up my sleeve.

Valentine's Day

“Anyone who imagines that bliss is normal is going to waste a lot of time running around shouting that he’s been robbed. The fact is that most putts don’t drop, most beef is tough, most children grow up to just be people, most successful marriages require a high degree of mutual toleration, most jobs are more often dull than otherwise. Life is like an old time rail journey…delays…sidetracks, smoke, dust, cinders and jolts, interspersed only occasionally by beautiful vistas and thrilling burst of speed. The trick is to thank the Lord for letting you have the ride.”  - Jenkins Lloyd Jones, as quoted by President Gordon B. Hinckley

Mr. Jones is right; bliss isn't normal. But bliss does happen and sometimes you're just lucky enough to capture it with a camera:

For being a man who hates Valentine's Day, Blake sure planned something fun for his two valentines this year. A note I found in the morning informed me that we had dinner plans and asked that I have myself and Eliza ready to venture outside when Blake got home from work. It was fun to anticipate and be excited about it all day! Once he got home from work, we grabbed our BYU picnic blanket courtesy of Aunt Elaine and took a short stroller ride to the lake behind our apartment. We enjoyed an al fresco dinner, Costa Vida style. (Note:  there was MUCH rejoicing when we found out we have a Costa Vida out here! There are only two in Texas and we're close to both of them!)

Eliza evidently enjoyed herself.

We couldn't stay out very long because Eliza had to get to bed, but it was fun and chill and a break from the norm--nothing could be better. Once she was down for the night, we just spent time together playing games, laughing, chatting, snuggling--everything that I love. Thanks, Blake, for a fun and memorable day! Life with you just keeps getting better. I love you!

Quote Source:
*“Big Rock Candy Mountains,” Deseret News, 12 June 1973, A4
*Hinckley, G.B. "A Conversation with Single Adults," Ensign, Mar 1997. http://www.lds.org/ensign/1997/03/a-conversation-with-single-adults?lang=eng