Just can't do it!

Grrrrr. I just can't post anything! I sit down to work on the blog (mostly to finish my "catch-up" blogging) and I just can't do it. I think it all started a couple weeks ago when I was working on a blog and I am not sure what happened but I lost everything that I was writing. Now, when ever I go to finish that blog I just can't do it. I can't say what I want to say the way I want to say it. So, if I don't write that blog then I can't do any after that and since nothing really exciting has happened lately it leaves me with nothing. I know. I know. I am completely insane. Something I learned to accept a long time ago. *sigh* Wish me luck.

Saying Prayers

We have really been trying to do spiritual things with Brayden. Before every meal we pray and he does a really good job at keeping his arms folded and even tries to bow his head and close his eyes (although those are brief moments). We also do scriptures and prayer before bed. He is responding really well to it and it makes me really happy when he doesn't want to stop reading scriptures or when he reminds us to say prayer. He climbs into his high chair, folds his arms and asks. "Prayer? Prayer?".

So last night we were at my Mom's house having Sunday dinner and we put Brayden in his high chair. He folds his arms, says "Prayer?" then follows by saying something that sounded like "Heavenly" and then said "Father." So I asked him if he wanted to say prayer. (He doesn't really say 'Yes' just smiles and giggles, which I know to mean 'Yes') So he said his version of "Yes" and so I started to say prayer and waited and then he repeated what I said! Like 'Father', 'food', 'strength', 'love', 'Jesus', 'Amen', etc. It was the cutest thing ever!

So, for every prayer since he has been "saying prayer". I'm really grateful that he enjoys praying, reading scriptures and singing church songs. I think it reminds him of our Heavenly Home and can feel the Holy Ghost. I can't believe all the things he is able to do and is wanting to do at 19 months old (well, He will be 20 months tomorrow but still he amazes me!)

I asked Brayden to fold his arms to get this picture. Isn't he cute?

Here are some fun photos and a videos from last night:

Brayden was helping Nana cook Peas and peel potatoes.
Here's a video too.

Notice how fast he runs when he sees Papa go outside.

Two things he loves a lot!

Helping Papa get some oranges.

He picked two yummy ones.

And runs to give them to Nana

Little did I know that my Papa told him to give the oranges to Nana and then he would let him swing in the swing. (Which is what you see in the video)


I heard Brayden laughing hysterically outside and this is what I found:

Daddy made some cool hats with the toy car track.

My stylish hubby!

Brayden ready to eat, right before he gave his first prayer!

Nursery Songs.

Brayden loves music. We are singing all the time around this house. While playing, changing diapers, before we go to sleep, in the bath tub. Three of his favorite songs are "Head, Shoulders, Knees and Toes", "Follow the prophet" and "Jesus wants me for a Sunbeam." Here are some videos with these songs.


This is Brayden (19 months) and his friend Caden (2yrs old) at the park, March 5, 2009, doing "Head, Shoulders, Knees and Toes". Brayden kind gets stuck on just his knees, and then they decided to jump around a scream a bunch. They are boys. What do you expect.



At my friends bridal shower, March 15, 2009, he found a doll and decided to rock the doll and sing to her. He wanted to sing "Follow the Prophet" to her. (Which means he just babbles and says 'Prophet') He is just so cute!



This is the only video I have caught of him singing "Jesus Wants me for a Sunbeam" , March 17, 2009. It just seems whenever I pull the camera out he clams up. He's not really too into it in the beginning but he's still cute, just ignore my singing ;)

Why do Mormons build temples?

A true apostle of the Lord.

We just had an awesome experience tonight that I wanted to write about it while it's fresh in my mind. My parents stake conference was this weekend and and Elder Russell M. Nelson from the quorum of twelve apostles was presiding. My parents had saved us seats to sit in the front row (next to an exit since Brayden was with us). I was nervous about having Brayden there since he is at an age that does not sit still for very long and although he had some rough patches I am so glad he came. We were right in the eye line of Elder Nelson and he smiled over at Brayden and I and waved to Brayden, who I tried get to wave in return. You could feel the love that Elder Nelson had for Christ and for the children of our Heavenly Father. It was very cool.

All of the speakers spoke truths that really touched my heart. Missionary work, the temple and the blessings of having one being built closer to us, and the one that touched me the most; strengthening family relations. So by the time it was Elder Nelson's turn my heart was so filled by the spirit that as he spoke I just began to cry. Rusty and I had a very dear moment with us and the Lord today and the on pouring of Christs love for me and my family was just too much. As Elder Nelson spoke of love and relations, of callings and that this church is the Lords church, my heart swelled with the truthfulness and a clearer understanding of his words. I am so grateful for the prophets of the Lord and their sweet sincerity and love for us. I am grateful to have the Lords guidance through them! And I know without a doubt that this is the true Church of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. I am so blessed to be a part of this church, to be sealed to my family in the holy temple and to be able to teach my children the gospel of the Lord.

As the meeting closed, some children came in through the side door and went immediately to Elder Nelson. He came down those stairs and he shook their hands and hugged the little ones. Brayden and I came up and he automatically reached forward to take Brayden and hold him. Our children are such special spirits and it was really a great experience to see the love that was there. He proceeded to note that "kids sure do love grandpas" (Since Brayden kept saying Papa through out the meeting and wanting to be held by my Dad). And he turned to me and said, "You're doing a great job." Those words meant a lot as I sometimes feel inadequate as a mother. And although I know he doesn't really know me, I know he knows my heart and it was great to hear. I am so blessed to have the opportunity to be at that conference tonight and I pray I will never forget the feelings and love I felt there!

{added- There were also some really funny things that Elder Nelson said. I forgot to write them down and I think I only really remember 3 of them:
1. When talking about working and knowing 6 prophets of the Lord he mentioned that he also was the surgeon (he's a heart surgeon) for a few of them. He said, "I guess you could say I knew them inside and out."
2. While talking about the economy he spoke about how there are many examples of this in the scriptures. He proceeded to read from Helaman about how do to unrighteousness riches began to be slippery and that no one could hold onto them. He then said, " That was about 6 BC. So you see, these economic crisis will come and go." (Me writing it out just doesn't do it justice.)
3. He announced that they were going to release the stake presidency(that had been serving for 9 years) that Sunday, then he turns around and says "Do I have the authority to announce that?" Turns back around and says, "I guess I am the authority here today. So, yes. I do."
-There was some other funny things he said that I have just plain forgotten. oh well.}

I get the message!

So it seems as that I complain a little too much to the Lord because he decided to take some action. I have not been very found of my recent weight gain and I know that I need to do something about it. I decided I was gong to start walking with Brayden. However, I am more talk than I am action and so the Lord decided to help me out a bit. Last Monday Rusty's car broke down in the middle of the freeway and had to be towed home. We really don't have the money for a mechanic so he and a friend are working on fixing it. That means that I am out of a car for several weeks.

Well, I took this as a kick in the butt from the Lord and a message that I need to walk. So Tuesday I walked to the store for some groceries (about 2 miles), Thursday is play date day so I walked to the park and back (roughly 3 miles) and Friday I walked to my mothers to do laundry ( a little over 4 miles). I know 9 or so miles in a week is not that impressive but for a bump on a log, like myself, I felt pretty empowered. I had fun walking (except for the fact I felt like an old lady since my hips were really achy) and I am going to walk at least 2 mile everyday. Today Brayden and I are going to walk to the "Duck Park" which is 2.5 miles one way. So although it stinks we have to spend money on fixing up our car, it's really been a blessing and I am in fact grateful for it.