The Mad Hatter

James likes to wear Daddy's hat.

The Long and Winding Post

I've been meaning to post a lot of little things, but haven't made the time. So now you'll all be subjected to a torrent of miscellanea.

1. Yesterday morning, the entire flat smelled like kippers. That's right, kippers. Micah decided it would be a very British thing to do - so he bought, cooked, and ate some. This event will not be repeating itself anytime soon. Maybe ever.

2. The (insert ordinal here) reason to love British socialism - YMCA nursery vouchers. Yep, I get to go work out at the Y (for free) and leave James in the nursery (for free) up to twice a week. They also have (free) swim classes for James there. We haven't gone to any yet, but I'm planning on trying them out.

3. James and I went to the Sherlock Holmes Museum last Thursday, which is located at "The World's Most Famous Address," according to the promotional material. I will give a cool prize to anyone who actually knows the address Sherlock Holmes fictionally lived at before looking at the above hyperlink.

4. After struggling for the better part of the last 3 1/2 years with motherhood and its trappings, and desiring to define for myself what exactly the essence of being a full-time mom is, I have come up with a Mommy Mission Statement: It is my purpose to promote the healthy spiritual, physical, mental, social, and emotional development of my children. When I think of my daily tasks in this context, it helps me focus on the bigger picture: I'm not just changing another diaper or cleaning up another upturned bowl of cereal; I'm promoting James's healthy physical development. Etc. I would appreciate your thoughts on this.

5. I have looked in a new way at the scriptural account of Jesus, Mary, and Martha in which Martha is "cumbered about much serving" and Mary is sitting at Jesus' feet, listening to "his word." Martha complains; Jesus replies that Mary "hath chosen that good part, which shall not be taken away from her." (Luke 10:38-42.) I am Martha, and instead of being mildly offended and perplexed by this bit of counsel, as I have been up until now, I am suddenly liberated by it. One thing is needful. But the one thing isn't a thing. It's the attitude with which you do the thing - the why and not the what.

6. I saw Juno on Friday evening with my lovely friend, Josie. I really recommend this movie, but not because it was especially "hip" or "smart" or whatever silly label the critics are throwing at it. This movie is getting a lot of critical acclaim, not undeserved, but for the wrong reasons. For me, the film was brilliant and the best I saw all year because it made me really uncomfortable -- in the sense that witnessing a very intimate exchange between two people makes you uncomfortable, or watching an awkward teenager get picked on at school makes you uncomfortable. The characters and storyline draw you in so quickly and completely that when something tragic happens to them, you realize that it's also happening vicariously to you. Juno's fetus becomes a metaphor for how vulnerable she is - and in turn, how vulnerable we all are. And isn't that vulnerability at the heart of what we find beautiful? Why we coo over newborns and love the fact that even Superman has his kryptonite? (*Erik could have written a much better review. Regardless of what he thinks of this movie.)

7. Thoughts about President Hinckley's passing: I am so grateful for a Prophet. Reflecting on President Hinckley's life has increased my testimony of the love our Heavenly Father has for all His children. Yes, we are losing the association of a wonderful person with a smashing sense of humor. But the work goes on, and the Lord has provided someone - will always provide someone - perfectly qualified to take his place. (I wish I could say the same for secular governments.) Watching GBH's funeral also caused me to reflect on how blessed I am to be a part of a very loving and supportive family, and how grateful I am to all of you.

I'll Miss You, President Hinckley

President Hinckley has passed away. (For the CNN story, click here.) He was the Prophet and President of the Church during many of the defining moments of my life: high school graduation, my move to New York, my mission, my decision to attend law school, my marriage, James' birth, our move to London . . . . I think I'll miss his sense of humor most.

The Reason

I called my mother in tears last night. I was having a panic attack brought on by several things, including my recent involvement in a website called Goodreads, on which a bunch of your friends try to make you feel as unintelligent, uncultured, and poorly read as possible (that's not really the point, I just feel like it sometimes). Anyway, my saintly mummy (I'm in England, people) reminded me of this Carol Lynn Pearson poem:

The Reason

A certain panic
Finds me
When I see
A forest, a train
A library.
So many trees to touch
Places
Faces yet to view
And, too
So many words to read.

If I concede
All space to earth
All time to life
The disproportion
Is absurd
(My tiny taste
And the giant waste
Of all creation
I've not known).
What a wretched
Faithless view
Of God's economy.

It isn't true.
The forest, the train
The library--
Are why we have
Eternity.

Thanks, Mom. I can breathe properly again.

T. Rex!

These are from the Natural History Museum, where there is a life-size, robotic model of a Tyrannosaurus Rex. James loves dinosaurs. It was a good evening.

That was Tuesday. Wednesday morning, we visited the Science Museum with my friend, Stephanie, and her daughter, Eva. James was so cute with Eva, at one point taking her by the hand and leading her to something he thought was particularly exciting.

Today, we went to our favorite, the London Aquarium, to see the fish and sharks. We went with Hanna, a friend from church, and her son, Henry. James and Henry enjoyed sandwiches together in front of the Pacific-Ocean-themed shark tank.

Life is good.

Check Out Elna Baker

So I was listening to my This American Life podcast, as I am wont to do each week, when one of the stories particularly caught my attention. The story was called "Babies Buying Babies," by one Elna Baker. It was brilliant and funny, and I recommend you listen to it - it's the third act of the "Matchmakers" show from last week. Anyway, then I realized from the show that Ms. Baker is LDS, so I went to her website to find out more about her. That led me to a video clip of her on MySpace delivering a hilarious monologue about attending an LDS Singles Halloween dance (at the Manhattan Stake Center, I might add - where yours truly has attended many an LDS Singles Halloween dance many moons ago). Basically, I have started stalking this woman. And I think you all should, too.

JamesTV

That really is what he's saying. I know that Micah and I may be the only ones who can understand him.