Markers and Toddlers Don’t Mix

I really should know better by now than to leave Brendan alone with markers for even 10 seconds. This is what his face looked like after coloring so sweetly on paper that I thought I could turn my back on him. He even colored inside his ears. Unfortunately these markers don’t wash off skin too well despite being “washable” markers. They come off of clothes alright but skin is a different story. The green faded to look like ugly bruises while the red look like welt marks. So Brendan walked around all day looking like he got into a rough fight but still as cute as ever.

I Hope this Makes Sense

I’m feeling a little under the weather (thanks to Chris for spreading his germs) but I hope that my brain can pull it together for this post.

We had such a wonderful visit with Chris’s parents. They were in Michigan for Chris’s Grandma’s 80th Birthday (Happy Birthday!) so they decided head on our way. I’m glad they did. Brendan loved being with them and loved getting to stay up late and miss naps.

We had one nice day of weather and it was a good thing that we used that day to hike to Glen Ellis Falls. It was the prefect day to enjoy a short hike.

Brendan was all for the hike and led the way most of the time.

The trail was very well cared for, short and scenic. That’s my kind of hike.

And the end result was pretty great too. The falls are invisible from the highway so we didn’t quite know what to expect but we weren’t let down.

And Brendan, of course, loved it all. You could feel the spray from the waterfall which was very exciting for him. I think he would have jumped in if it wasn’t for Grandpa keeping a hold on him.

While in Vermont, we also got to visit the Vermont Country Store. This was on Robin’s list of things to do and it was only a short drive from Joseph Smith’s birthplace. I don’t know how to describe this store so you can get the full picture. It has lots of nostalgic toys (but also modern ones), practical items and trinkets, and a ton of things I never knew existed. We left there with a wooden block train for Brendan, a switch pocket comb for Chris (because he thinks it’s funny, not because he’ll actually use it) and some delicious candy for me. Their candy section was AWESOME, full of some of Chris’s favorites from his childhood, imported items and homemade fudge and chocolates. They also sold Vermont cheese, all kinds of dips, spreads and jellies, and yummy sausages. If you’re ever in Vermont and want something fun to do, this would be the place to go. It was so cool. We spent an hour there and I still didn’t have enough time to look at everything.

They even had old school lawn cutters to try out and Brendan gave it a go. It was too heavy for him to push so he just had fun running around in the grass (which really did need a cutting).

Thanks to Dan and Robin for coming out and visiting us, and giving us a good reason to get out and do something fun. Brendan misses you and can’t wait for you to come again!

A few thoughts

I think this deserved its own post since I didn’t want to crowd a recap of our adventures with my in-laws (more on that as soon as I finish editing all the photos I took). I don’t often write about spiritual experiences since they are so personal and hard for me to put in words, but this is going to be an exception.

We were lucky to be able to drive out to Sharon, VT- the birthplace of Joseph Smith- on Tuesday. It was an amazing place and I’m so glad that we took the time to go there.

We listened to a sister missionary as she gave us a short tour of the visitor center and the grounds, and even though Brendan was not in the mood to cooperate much after sitting in the car for 3 hours, I couldn’t help but feel the spirit strongly there.

As a teenager, I was able to spend a weekend for Youth Conference at Nauvoo. It was during that weekend that I truly began to believe, specifically while I was sitting in Carthage Jail, where the beloved Prophet was martyred. It was one of the first times that I felt the spirit so strongly that I couldn’t deny what I was feeling. I have had a deep appreciation and love for the Prophet Joseph Smith ever since and I can honestly say that that moment changed me and the path that I was on. The experience I had this week reinforced those feelings and belief that he truly was called of God, but on this visit I was struck with another feeling.

As we walked around the site and as we got in the car to head to our next destination, I had the repeated thought of the scripture in James that says “faith without works is dead.” I am so glad that I have a testimony of what happened in that sacred grove in the Spring of 1820 but I kept reflecting on the fact that I have to act on that testimony as well. I couldn’t help but feel that there is more that I can do, more that I can be.

Joseph Smith was an amazing example of doing more and being more. Being here in New Hampshire has been a great opportunity for me to not only build my testimony but also to put that testimony to action. We’ve had so many opportunities to serve and I’m grateful for those, even though I haven’t always been in the best mood or felt up to the task. Sometimes I just want to be lazy. But then I think of Joseph Smith and all that he sacrificed- my sacrifices can’t even compare. I think I’ll be a little more willing to do more from now on.

More to Come Soon

Chris’s parents are in town visiting and we have had such a wonderful time with them. Their last day here is tomorrow so expect an update soon after that. We have lots to share!

(photo by Chris, from a very special place that we got to visit yesterday)

How we get Brendan to sleep at night

It's simple, really. We just let him outside where he runs in circles until he's exhausted.



In reality, he was just really excited because there were some large birds (hawks maybe?) and seagulls flying over the river across from our house. Running around in circles is just how he expresses his excitement.

Why I should never leave my purse out where Brendan can get it

Have I mentioned how much Brendan loves gum? He got into my purse the other day with the sole purpose of getting my gum and proceeded to stuff the last EIGHT pieces into his little mouth. Wait, make that seven. He tried to get that last eighth piece but was too lazy to take off the wrapper. But then he decided he didn’t like that after all, so he discarded it. That wad of gum doesn’t look as impressive in the photo as it was in real life- it was huge. He couldn’t talk with it in his mouth. The only good thing was that he quickly spit out the giant wad so I didn’t have to worry about him chocking on it. The bad thing is that I am now out of gum.

A Lucky Shot

I just happened to snap this picture at the perfect moment when Brendan was in the bath the other day. This was the first time he’s done tried to drink the water dripping from the faucet, so I was quite shocked that I caught it. Silly boy.