James Is Easily Distracted

Click here to see a video of James singing "I Am a Child of God." (I didn't embed it directly in the blog because the file was too large.)

The Pariah

Ever since we returned from our trip to Utah (in August), one thing or another has prevented us from carrying on a semblance of our former life. First my pregnancy illness completely barred any sallying forth from the flat. Then we were toilet training James - which I am happy to report, is going swimmingly; he's not even wearing diapers at night anymore. Then we all got colds. Then James got an ear infection. Then I got a sinus infection. Then we all got colds - again. I'm actually feeling well enough now to go out and see people, and I'd really like to socialize and take James out. But he's still coughing, and I'm nervous about getting my friends (and my friends' kids) sick. So, until further notice, I'm still a social leper. On the plus side, time is passing unbearably slowly!

Grrrr.

Fourth Folder, Fourth Picture

So my cousins had this on their blog, and I thought it would be fun for us to do, too. You look in the fourth picture folder (or photo album) on your computer, and post the fourth photo from it on your blog. Here it is:I had to cheat a little because my fourth folder was inexplicably empty. But here is the fourth picture from the fifth folder. It is little James, back in the bedroom in our Alpine home. This was taken two years ago, in October 2006. He looks like he's about to pounce. Looking at pictures of our house in Utah makes me a little homesick, I must confess.

As a bonus, I thought I'd also post this photo, the fourth photo in the fourth album when I use my Kodak EasyShare program. It was taken back in December 2003, of me and my paternal grandmother. This was my only trip thus far to my grandfather's gravesite, which is located in rural Kansas. He passed away while I was on my mission, in 2001.

Making Sense of the Financial Crisis

I just listened to an excellent episode of This American Life about the economy meltdown (called "Another Frightening Show about the Economy," if you're interested in listening to it). It was very interesting and informative, especially about topics that aren't being covered extensively in other media, including the commercial paper market, credit default swaps, and the "bailout" bill that was just passed. A lot of people are trying to assign blame and point fingers, and the truth is, pretty much everyone is to blame: Republicans, Democrats, bankers, borrowers, everyone. One interesting comment a financial professional made during the show was that the root of this whole problem is not really any one specific institution or commodity or law; it is our society's relationship with debt. We apparently are way too comfortable with it. Anyway, I thought maybe someone out there might be interested in this, because I was hearing a lot of conflicting opinions and explanations and this podcast really cleared things up for me.

For All the Mothers, and Fathers, and Pretty Much Everyone Else

I just listened to a really inspirational talk that was given at the LDS General Relief Society Meeting on September 27. I know that many of my readers may already have heard this one, but if you haven't, I highly recommend it. It may just be the pregnancy hormones, but I felt really uplifted and touched by it. And yes, it's applicable if you're not a Mormon (or even a woman). It is entitled "Happiness, Your Heritage," by President Dieter F. Uchtdorf. The written version can be found here, or you can listen to the audio here, or watch a Quick Time video version here. The broadcast lasts about 21 minutes.

James' Prayer

Evening prayer tonight, offered by James: Dear Heavenly Father, thank you for have some food, and Coco Pops, and bike cereal, and noodles and cheese, no sauce, just cheese, and thank you for markers, and not color on walls, just color on paper, thank you for cars, Jesus Christ, amen.  

I Need Your Validation

Last night, James was acting a little strange around bedtime, so Micah and I weren't shocked when he threw up (all over the bathroom) after dinner.  After that, he went to bed, but wanted me to sleep in his bed with him, which I did.  Then he woke up about every 5.2 seconds to whine, cry, and generally be unconsolable about how uncomfortable he felt.  Needless to say, I got very little sleep last night.  We got out of bed around 8:30,* and now it's 9:48.  In the last hour, I have eaten two bowls of cereal, played Spider Solitaire, and listened to my Disneyland soundtrack.  What I need from you, dear reader, is your blessing.  Tell me it's okay after a night like that to not get anything done today.  Please.

*James awoke having no indication, in demeanor or otherwise, that any of this had ever transpired.