Happy Birthday Dad!

Isn't he handsome? This is a good opportunity to post an old favorite picture and say I love Michael!

p.s. I now call your attention to the new area of the sidebar dedicated to links to my Picasa web albums. Now you no longer need to search through old posts for links to see the sweetest baby in the world!

Hosomaki & Rolling

At various times of day during our conversations, Michael keeps asking, "Are you going to blog about that?" And the answer is usually "Yes." So I have quite a mental list of things to expound on here. The most recent (and most exciting) one happened last night.

We had just returned home from a fireside at the Bishop's home and were playing with Nathanael on the floor. Michael set him down on his belly to give him some practice strengthening his legs and as soon as he hit the blanket he rolled over! Michael set him down again after considerable celebrating and hugging him and he did it again! The second time he startled himself nearly as much as both of us! He looked so surprised to be on his back all of the sudden!

When we got out the camera though, he was content to stay on his belly and practice using his crawling muscles! :) So I don't have any pictures of the momentous occasion.

The other fun event of yesterday was Michael's birthday! We had some friends over for cake and ice cream, but when I brought the cake out, the rotating fan spun around and blew the candles out before we were even done singing!

Michael received a sushi-making kit for his birthday, and he is very excited to get started making delicious creations out of nori with gari and wasabi on the side! I am very excited to be the guinea pig that he tries his creations out on!

Gratitude

This morning I just want to put my voice out into the void to express my thanks for all the beautiful gifts in my life:
A sweet and wonderful husband and son who love me!
A large extended family and in-laws all of whom are also my dear friends.
Many, many great friends who generously share their lives with me as we learn and grow together.
My faith in my Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ which blesses my life immeasurably.
My education and healthy mind that can absorb whatever I wish to learn!
My wonderful body that allows me to experience through my senses: the color of flowers, Nathanael's first coo's, the warmth of a hug, buttered popcorn, and salty sea air.
This beautiful planet and all it's wonders: trees, grass, mountains, the ocean, and tiny "weed" flowers growing between cement sidewalk squares.

Well, this was ironically meant to be a short "easy" post. I feel so torn: I don't want to end the list because there truly isn't an end to my gratitude. The more items I list, the more that flood my mind and my expression of them feels so incomplete. However, it is still my gratitude list for today and those who read it can do so knowing that it could easily continue on for pages.

What a wonderful life!