Some thoughts on fasting

This happened a little while ago and I want to write it down so I don't forget.

Fasting is hard for me.  In fact, I don't usually do a typical, 24 hour, no food, no drink fast.  I have blood sugar issues and headaches and other problems that make it so I physically collapse if I don't eat for several hours.  So, I try to modify my fast to either skip one meal, or forgo something I like, like treats that day, etc.

Over the summer, I was visiting my family in Oregon, and while we were at church, a woman made a comment about how she hadn't been fasting for years because of migraines, but then she felt prompted to pray the night before Fast Sunday and ask Heavenly Father to bless her to be able to fast.  Since that time, every time she did that, she was able to fast the next day with no problem.

I was floored.  It had never occurred to me to pray to be physically able to fast.  But as the next Fast Sunday approached, I decided to test this idea out myself.  I expressed my desire in prayer to be able to have the strength to fast, and I went to bed.  I continued that prayer in my heart the next day, and miraculously, I was able to fast the whole day until dinner, even with wrangling my kids at church and doing everything I needed to do- and no fainting, throwing up, dizzy spells, or headaches.  Wow.  Not to mention the other blessings I was able to receive by fasting.  That tells me that Heavenly Father wants to help us obey and receive all the blessings He has in store for us.  (Not that we can't modify our fasting when medically necessary, but if we have the desire to do it, I think Heavenly Father will help us to make it work.)

Facebook statuses from the last few months

September 11th: 11 years ago I heard the news on the radio early in the morning as I was getting ready for school, and then more on the national news in my classes as the situation worsened. I felt both shocked and somewhat afraid. Now, over a decade later, I feel sorrow for the lives lost, and gratitude to those who have risked (and lost) their lives since then to preserve our safety. I think it's fitting that the day we honor them is called Patriot Day. I hope we haven't forgotten how blessed we are as a nation to live in a country that allows us freedoms that many only dream of. I love America... God Bless the USA.

July 28th: I told Gabe I was making baby shower invitations for Marissa, and a few minutes later when Luke walked in, Gabe told Luke to be careful and not step on the papers, because "Mommy is making a... um.... a bath for Marissa's baby." I tried to explain that a baby shower is like a party where people give presents for the baby, and Gabe said, "Yeah, presents, like a bathtub!"

June 20th: Today Gabriel informed me that I was a "little, tiny grownup"...er, thanks, I think! This is the same child that delights in telling me that BJ can reach high cupboards, but I can't (well, I can, but my methods seem to disqualify me from being considered a "big grownup").

June 11th: Yesterday morning BJ and I woke up to a little voice saying "Let's make a waterfall on the couch! Let's pour some in the wheelbarrow! Here's a cup, go get some more water!" I stayed in bed in denial for another minute, then slowly walked out to the front room to find about a gallon of water dispersed around the room, on couches, carpet, entertainment center, and toys. Boy howdy. I can't wait until it is darker in the mornings so the kids don't wake up and start their mishchief quite as early. 

A tender mercy

(I posted this on my facebook page on August 9th)
I left early for work this morning; the kids and BJ were still in bed. I thought about waking the kids to kiss them goodbye, but couldn't bring myself to disturb them. I felt anxious about leaving them though and I said a silent prayer that we would all be watched over and reunited safely this afternoon. On my way home from work, I stopped at a red light, and decided to put the car in "park" wh

ile waiting- I never do this. The light turned green, and I had to look down for several seconds to get the car in "drive". As I looked up, a car ran a red light and sped through the intersection- right where I would have been had I been driving my "usual" way. I know God hears my prayers and the thought struck me that this was an answer to the one I said this morning.

Easter 2012

Yikes... I am way behind.  I am ashamed that I have only posted 4 times in 10 months.  So I am doing my best to make up for it for posterity's sake... yadda yadda yadda.

Uh... this was Easter:

Christensen Family Pictures

BJ's parents took these family photos for us in April and I think they did a great job! 

Oh, Hi!

Oh yeah, I have this blog.  Sometimes I forget about it.

Anyway, I need to do better about remembering it, because everyday I think to myself, "I should write that down... I'll probably remember it though.  Hmm, what was that funny thing that happened yesterday?"

Nothing extremely funny happened today... just the usual types of stuff, but I had better write that down in case one day I can't remember what was normal when Gabe and Luke were 3 and almost 2.

Luke got very upset with me today as soon as he realized he was hungry, and started "bossing" me around: "Mommy, I want to eat!  I want wunch.  Wight now Mommy!  Stand up now!  Go!  I wanta eat wunch!"

When he needed a diaper change, I asked him if he was poopy, and he said, "No, I don't want a diaper change, I just clean, Mommy.  It's play time."

When I handed Luke a toy he was struggling to reach, he took it and said, with gusto, "Oh, tank you, Mommy!"

Gabe is also very good about saying thank you, and he will often add "Good job pouring the milk, Mommy, you did that so great!"

When I told Gabe it was almost naptime today, he at first said "No, I don't want a nap!"  But then started saying, "Mom, is it night time?"  I told him it wasn't night time, but it was sleep time, to which he responded, "Oh, ok Mom, but I a-better eat a snack first, and then take a nap.  Maybe playtime first."

Gabriel is especially fascinated with my sewing machine and serger, which are off limits, but he gets into anyway.  If (when) I catch him opening little doors and turning little dials, I give him a little reminder by saying "What are the rules?"  and he will say "Don't play with Mommy's 'chines!  But I just want to close this door, Mom.  Can you close it for me?"


We just got back in town from Tayler and Heather's wedding.  We were so glad we could make it.  It was a crazy trip, but we all had a good time.  We didn't actually get to see much of Tayler or Heather, but I guess there will be time enough for that.  Heather is "Hedder" to Gabe and "Heddow" to Luke, and a princess to both of them since they saw her in her wedding dress.

While we were in Washington for the wedding, we were able to stop by and visit BJ's grandparents.  We only had about 2 hours with them (plus 4 hours of driving) but we made the most of it, the kids were pretty good, and I am so glad we were able to have that time with them.

Speaking of that trip, I wrote about the crazy part of the journey and the tender mercies we experienced as a result on my other blog.  Read about it here.

Conversations...

Gabe: "Mom, I just spelled my name!"
    Me: "You did?"
"Yeah, at Grandma C's house.  I did it on Anna's computer. Anna helped me,  Anna is so nice, huh Mom?"
    "Yes, she is."
"Anna loves me.  I love Anna.  Anna loves Mommy."
    "I love Anna too."
"Anna is so, so pretty.  I love Anna.  Anna is a nice... aunt.  I just want to give her a hug, and fives."

Gabe: "Mom, is that picture of you and Daddy?"
    Me: "Yes Gabriel, that is a picture from the day we got married."
"Mommy, are you a princess?"
    "Why yes, I mean, ahem..."

Gabe: "Mommy, I want to do prafts with you.  Can we do a train praft?  And a boat and airplane praft?  Please?" (praft= craft, FYI)



Luke: "Mommy, I all done now.  Want to get down, right now Mommy! I can't do it, it's too hawd (hard).  Help Mommy!  Help!  What doing?  Wheah ah you (Where are you?- even if I'm standing right there!)?

After time out for hitting.... Luke runs out of the room and says "Sorry Mommy.  Sorry hitting.  Sorry mommy.  I kiss it better.  Hug!"

Luke: "Coat on!  Shoes on! Go a walk!  Go a bye-bye car!  I wanna go home (meaning I want to go out- yes, really.)!"

December 2011

Early(ish) December:


Ward Christmas Party Decorations:


Taylor Family Christmas Party


There were hundreds more pictures from the Arave Family Sing-Along and from Christmas morning, but I have shared those elsewhere.  If you are interested in those pix and you didn't get them from the Christensen family blog or email, let me know and I can share them with you.

December Rundown:
We had lots of fun this Christmas!  I was a busy bee making Christmas gifts, which was something that really helped me get into the spirit of Christmas.  Our ward Christmas party was at the beginning of the month, and my friend and I were put in charge of the decorations.  We had a very small budget and very big ideas, and we were able to pull it off pretty well I thought by using things we already had, borrowing where necessary, and in general spending very little.  Another friend and I planned a Christmas playgroup for our neighborhood and we did some fun ornament crafts, which turned out to be a big hit with the kids.  BJ and I went to a free dance at the senior center featuring a live big band.  That was fun.  We had a fun Christmas party at the Taylor's house, complete with nativity and musical program, and of course, the present exchange at the end.  A couple of days before Christmas, we flew to Oregon, and arrived just in time for the Arave Sing-Along, a 20 year tradition!  BJ and I sang a spoof on Baby, It's Cold Outside, which we sang as newlyweds 7 years ago, but this was the "7-year sequel".  It was funny.  Gabe sang "Silent Night" and did an awesome job enunciating and singing with a big voice.  Not shy at all, even in front of dozens of people he didn't know.  It was so cute.  We celebrated Marissa's birthday the next day by eating at Macaroni Grill and seeing "We Bought a Zoo" in the theater.  It was fun, but the kids didn't like the movie much.  On Christmas, we went to church in the morning, then came home and took pictures all dressed up, then we got back in our jammies and opened presents.  We like to drag it out for hours by only letting one person at a time open a present, and rotating who's turn it is by age.  Haha!  Tradition... The rest of Christmas break was spent visiting family, shopping, getting to know the significant others of Tayler and Cara (Heather and Dan), watching movies, doing a few crafts, and being sick.  Bleh.  Also, BJ and I took a vacation from our vacation (thanks Mom and everyone who helped watch the boys while we were gone!)- a one night stay at a bed and breakfast nearby.  It was a restored 100 year old mansion- and it was lovely!  We would definitely recommend it.  We were the only ones there that night, and the lady let us wander around and check out the other rooms.  We had dinner at a place called Dundee Bistro and I had the best pulled pork sandwich of my life.  I usually don't get that excited about food, but it was amazing and journal-worthy.  I need to go back next time we are in Oregon just so I can have that sandwich again.  Haha.  We made delicious fondue on New Year's Eve and stuffed ourselves silly.  We flew back home on New Year's Day, and were surprised with a washed and vacuumed out car (thanks, Mom and Dad T., for that surprise and for picking us up)!  We got in so late and were so hungry, that we ate and then went to bed at their house.  Fortunately the next day was still a holiday so we had some time to unpack and rest etc.  It was also about 55 degrees outside- can you believe it?!, so we had some fun with the kids at the park before going home.

November Pictures

November was a busy but fun month... we celebrated Cara's birthday, planned and/ or attended several really fun playgroups, spent lots of time getting ready for Christmas (making gifts, helping to plan the ward Christmas party which I was in charge of decorations for), and had a wonderful Thanksgiving with BJ's family.

Funny Gabe Stuff

Gabe needs a haircut right now, which has reminded me of the last time I gave him a haircut.  Now, if you know much about Gabe's haircut history, you might remember that every time we've tried to cut his hair for the past year (at least) he has thrown a royal fit-  the worst he can do, with crying, screaming, thrashing, scratching himself in the face, begging, turning red, etc.  No bribes would work- no treats, no movies, no toys, no promises of any kind.  He would hold still long enough for me to cut a huge chunk of hair off, then throw his fit, so there was no going back, and BJ would have to hold him while I quickly buzzed his head.  Sad for all of us.  He was scared of the scissors, scared of the buzzer, and he absolutely hated having the hair fall on him, which made him itchy.
So, back to the story... last time I had to cut his hair, I had an idea.  It was 7pm, close to Gabe's bed time.  I said, "Gabe, do you want to go to bed now? Or do you want a haircut?"  Gabe looked at me, puzzled, and very slowly, said "Uh.... haircut?" I thought maybe it was just him talking to get out of going to bed, but I went ahead and got all the stuff out, and told him that we would blow all the itchy hair off, and I would let him take a bath right after, and he could call Grandpa C on the phone afterwards (Grandpa had just called while we were talking about this, so I thought it might be good motivation for Gabe to follow up with him and be able to tell him he was a big boy and got a haircut).  So, I let Gabe stand up on the stool in front of the bathroom sink, and had him lean his head over so most of the hair would fall in the sink and not on him, and we talked about what a big boy he was, and he actually let me cut his hair with scissors!  Any time some hair got on him, I made a big deal of brushing it off and saying "Get that itchy hair off!  Go away itchy hair!  Bye bye!"  He didn't scream or cry once.  He was very cooperative, and so proud of himself once he was done.  He even let me touch his hair up around his ears the next day.  It just cracks me up that he was motivated enough to stay up later that he let me cut his hair.  I'm going to try it again this week.

One more funny story... Gabe is finally to the point where he is doing great at being potty trained.  He still has the occasional accident, because he isn't very good yet of being super aware while he plays etc. but as long as I remind him a few times a day, he stays clean and dry.  He has even stayed dry during nap time recently.  He has earned lots of treats for staying completely clean and dry all day (one treat per day at this point).  A while back while we were working with him on only pooping in the toilet and not in his pull-up, he was sitting on the potty and had just gone.  Tayler and his friend were visiting and were sitting in the front room.  Gabe was very proud of himself and loudly declared "Poop is awesome!" which was followed by snickers from the front room.  Haha.  I think our teaching that poop is nasty in underpants and on the floor, but it's awesome to use the toilet must have sunk in, at least partly.  :P

October pictures

I don't know how I'll ever catch up, but I'm scolding myself for not doing a good job of documenting our family growing up these last few months.  Things change everyday, and I know I am already forgetting things.  It's January 2012, but by golly I'm going to post these pictures and updates in order starting with October 2011.

Here are a few of the things we did in October that I haven't already posted.

Family Pictures Fall 2011

Last Sunday we had BJ's dad take some pictures of our family, and we got some good ones before the boys had completely had it.   My favorite one is the new picture on the top of our blog.  What you don't see is all the shenannigans we had to go through between every picture- all the silly faces, noises, rock throwing, nose wiping, tickling, etc. to get the boys to hold semi- still and smile.  Ha.  They were happy as they walked down the path, although Gabe tended to want to drag Luke faster than he could really walk.  They're just too stinkin' cute.  I love those kids.

October 2011

I haven't written in months, and I'm not even going to try to recap what has happened right now, but I need to record some things about the kids so we can remember all the funny things they do in the future.

Gabe
3 years & almost 4 months

I asked him what his favorite foods were last week, and here is his answer: "Cupcakes, fruit loops, chocolate, cheese sticks." Funny, we don't give him much of that stuff... at least he listed one semi-healthy thing.  He actually eats pretty much everything we give him, as long as it is room temp and not spicy.

Takes one nap, in the afternoon.  Learned how to pedal his tricycle this summer, and can mostly keep up with us when we go for a walk.  Loves to collect sticks on our walks.  Loves to go on walks and visit his friends Kimberlee and Ethan.  He's very friendly with all kids, although if it came to sharing his Thomas train, that would probably be a no-go. 

Says "okie-dokie-a-chokie".  Has been calling me his "baby mommy" and "little mommy".  Regularly says stuff like "What are you doing, Mommy?"  Oh!  Uhhhh... dat's cool, Mom."  Gabe knows mouth, nose, eyes, head, hair, ears, hands, tummy, and fingers in Spanish (our neighbor came over and did Spanish lessons for a while during the summer).  He also knows a few animals and random other stuff.

Gabe's teachers at daycare (he goes just a couple of hours each week) are always impressed at how smart he is.  He knows all his shapes, colors, counts to 20 sometimes, can accurately count objects (less than about 8), knows his ABCs, can identify all of them and most of their sounds, and knows tons of songs. 

Sings Thomas the Tank Engine songs and always requests them at bedtime.  Actually sings a lot of songs, all day long.  Loves Thomas shows, Dora, Caillou, Blue's Clues, and even "the purple dinosaur".  Yes, I let my children watch shows (on Netflix).
95% potty trained during the day, nighttime and naptime are another story.
One day at naptime I gave him his Thomas the Tank engine train and he said "Thomas is my best friend!"  Another day we had played and I gave him lots of hugs and kisses at naptime and he said "Mommy, you are my best friend!"  Melted my heart.

Naughty stuff: Gabe recently dumped a whole roll of TP in the toilet.  A few days later, he unrolled a whole roll all over the floor.  Not to much later, he pulled out every wet wipe from the wipes box.  He sometimes likes to chew on the wipes. (yuck) He and Luke are partners in crime and they like to shred wipes, TP, napkins, anything they can get their hands on.  They like to drink their drinks and spit them out- sometimes on each other (this is mostly just Gabe).  They like to pull things out of the kitchen drawers and cupboards, sometimes the garbage.  I have locks on the cupboards and the garbage, but they always manage to find something semi-dangerous that isn't locked up, so the kitchen is off limits, and we have a gate that closes it off. 

Luke
18 months

Sings I Am a Child of God and Twinkle Twinkle Little Star (somewhat intelligibly) on his own.  Loves music and loves to dance.
Goes to sleep really easily most of the time, as long as he has his binky, blanket, drink, and a stuffed animal.  Starting to take only an afternoon nap and not his morning nap.  Loves all stuffed animals, but especially his zebra, cow, & blue teddy bear.  Cuddly, but he's a screamer- he has an ear-splitting scream that he's not afraid to use at any time if he wants to get his point across.  Started nursery last week- ran right in, played, no screaming at all.  What a relief for all of us, because church has been... not fun... with him for several months (maybe 6).  Hopefully nursery will continue to be a good thing for him.

Blows kisses and waves when daddy leaves every morning for work.  Loves cheese, bread, bananas, apples, applesauce, yogurt, all cereal, all sugary stuff (but usually not ice cream), most fruits, all crackers, pizza.  Sometimes likes broccoli and carrots (in ranch), beans, mexican food.  Currently hates noodles and rice (texture thing), usually peanut butter and most other sandwiches.

Luke loves to give kisses, but this time he was almost eating my cheek!

Says: Peeaboo (peek-a-boo), dit-de (binky), a-wight (alright), ok, ah-done (all done), ah-keen-ow (all clean now), poopoo, bum, eye, nose, mow (mouth), eah (ear), Babe/ Babiel (Gabe/ Gabriel), baby, Guke (Luke), mommy, daddy, Paw (Grandpa), Cah-kin (Collin), Ca-ya (Cara), Sessa (Marissa), Anna, Gook (book, drink, milk), eat, see-yal (cereal), nah-nuh (banana), be-ba (zebra), see ya, hi, hey-o (hello), bye bye, Ay-yuh-you (I love you), safe, don't, mine, want it, nie-ie (night-night), teeeee (teeth- wants to brush teeth), cah (car) goowuck/ cahck (truck), ah-side (outside), no, yes, yeah, uh-huh, uh-uh, no-way, icky, suuuuum (as in- I want some), lion, goggy (doggy), ti-tat (cat/ kitty cat), eh-pane (airplane), tain (Train), wow-ow (flower), messy, one-two-tee (1-2-3), sooooo (show- as in I want to watch a show).

He probably says more but I can't think of anything else right now.

Luke responds to most things we say to him- he understands and follows commands (if he wants to) and replies to questions.

At 16 months he:
Weighed 22.3 pounds (now he weighs about 25 lb.)- the 15th percentile.
Was 30.5 inches tall- 22nd percentile.
Had a head circumference of 19.2- the 86th percentile, down from the 96th when he was 9 months old!

Happy 3rd Birthday Gabriel!

Dear Gabriel,

It has been a long time since I could say you were a baby, and the other day I realized I can't even call you a toddler anymore.  You are a big boy; a bona fide preschooler now.  Have I really been your mother for three years?  It has truly been a privilege.  You have such a sweet temperament; you genuinely care about what the people around you are feeling.  When someone is hurt, it warms my heart to see you put your hand on their shoulder and say "You-a-ok? You have-a-owie? I-a-kiss-it better."

You are helping me learn, Gabe.  Sometimes you get sent to time out after being told that you can come back when you can be happy, or obedient, or nice or whatever the issue.  Sometimes after a minute or two I open the door and ask if you are ready to obey, and through your tears you say no.  After a while we realized that we needed a slightly different approach.  Now when I open the door and I ask if you need a hug, you almost always run to me immediately for some love, and then when we talk about obedience you are very cooperative.  I am glad you could help me learn that love needs to be first and foremost in any discipline.

You are becoming more opinionated and independent.  You love to pedal your tricycle without too much help, and you are quick to let me know you'd rather walk than ride in the stroller.  Sticks, rocks, and bugs are fascinating subjects, and nothing can distract you when you want to go exploring in the dirt.  Most days you don't care too much about what you wear, but some days, like yesterday, you were insistent that you wanted to wear your orange puffer vest, even though it is 90 degrees outside, and only the tie-dyed shirt from your aunt Rhonda was tempting enough to wear instead. 

You are just becoming such a big boy with a big personality.  Sometimes I miss the times when you were so little, but only a little, because watching your grow and develop is so much fun.  I love how well you can communicate and I love all the quirky little phrases that come out of your mouth ("Mom!  I want to sing Old McFarmer had a Farm, ok?").  You run off to your class at nursery and at daycare one morning a week usually with no trouble at all, and you are happy to see all your friends and teachers.  Sometimes it pains me to think of how your parents are already diminishing in your eyes- I mean, when you were a baby, we were all you knew, and now there are lots of people way more fun and exciting than us!  But I know you, you always come back for hugs and kisses and love from your mommy and daddy, and I think (and hope) that is how it will always be.

One thing I love about your three year old self is how keenly you feel things.  You play hard, you are delighted and even ecstatic when you love something, and you cry tears that seem like they are coming from a broken heart over things that make you sad.  You love music, and singing and dancing are great pastimes.  You love your trains, cars, balls, airplanes, playing outside, and water in the bathtub (as long as I'm not trying to wash you).  You are a great eater.  Although there are a few things you don't like too much (spinach), you will eat just about everything else.  I am happy that you love fruits and veggies (including broccoli- cooked or raw).  You love your cousins and your aunts and uncles, and your grandparents- dearly.

I am glad that I get to watch you live life the fullest that you know how.  I treasure the things I am learning from raising you.  I am glad that I could become your mommy three years ago.  You are so precious to me, I will keep trying to be the best mother I can be for you.

Luke: May 2011

Luke is really at one of the funnest ages I have experienced with kids so far.  Each age is fun in its own way, but he is at the point where it is all fun from here on out, and way more hazardous too.  He is learning to get into cupboards and drawers, tries to climb into the bathtub, and he tries to take Gabe's snacks away almost as often as Gabe tries to take his away. 

He is doing things a little earlier than Gabe (though not exactly an early- bird)- just so he can keep up.  There is definitely some sibling rivalry developing here, though the boys clearly adore each other.  Luke can walk short distances, maybe up to 6 steps on average without getting scared and sitting down.  He doesn't fall much yet, but is very cautious, and would rather sit down before taking a tumble.  I'm sure he could walk much longer if he wanted, and I think he will be before long!  He still crawls with one knee and one foot, which is hilarious to watch.

He says a few words on his own (ma-ma, woof (dog, and the sound a dog makes), nana (banana, and any other food), da-du (thank you- yes, really, he says this after every time I bring him food)) and he mimics a lot of things we say (da-da, puh-puh (poopy diaper), ssu-ssu (Jesus), nuh-nuh (no-no).
Luke loves to be sung to.  He doesn't have a favorite song that I can tell, but if cuddling and rocking don't calm him down, just start singing too, and he will relax very quickly.

Nights are finally starting to get better.  He is now sleeping through the night- hallelujah!  I think we just had to get through some hard stuff and I had to stop nursing him when he woke up.  I think as soon as he realized he couldn't eat, and he got over some colds he had for a while, he stopped waking in the middle of the night.  Now he goes to bed anywhere from 6:30pm to 7:30pm or so on a normal night, and he wakes up between 5:30 and 6:30 in the morning to nurse, then he usually goes back to sleep for an hour (IF I let him fall asleep in bed with me, otherwise he will just play or whine).  I try to get him to take a nap at 9:30 or 10 in the morning, and then another nap at 1:30 or 2 in the afternoon.  I think if I am more consistent with getting him down for naps, he sleeps better at night.

Luke has had his 8 teeth (4 on top, 4 on bottom) for several months and a few weeks ago started cutting molars (skipping the canine teeth).  He now has 2 molars that are mostly cut through, 1 that is close, and another one that is just starting to be swollen and painful for him.  It seems like these things always happen at the same time.

Luke can put food away like no other baby I have seen.  We were at a restaurant the other day and Luke ate the entire 2 bottles of baby food I had with me, and then continued to eat a bread stick and two small pieces of pizza, plus drinking his milk.  We joked that he ate more than my brother Tayler, who was visiting.  I guess he was just really hungry that day.  Luke loves fruit, cheese, bread, yogurt, and Hawaiian haystacks (chicken and rice etc.).  He is slightly more picky than I remember Gabe being.  He is very particular about the textures of foods he eats.  Also, just because he has eaten it before and liked it doesn't mean he wont spit a food out and refuse to eat it from that point on.  Usually if we can get the first bite in, he will decide he likes it and will eat the food.  He cracks me up!