Being a mother

If this story doesn't paint an accurate picture of the joys of motherhood then I don't know what does.

About a month ago now my sweet boy had many flu-like symptoms (Good thing he got the flu shots...not! The pediatrician there that day, not his regular one, bullied me into giving it to him because he's so skinny. Never again!). Anyhow, I had done my best to stay at home as much as I could since his bowel movements for the five days previous had only included diarrhea (tmi?). But it was now Kasey's wedding day, so out into public we ventured.

Alex was a dear and watched him in the morning so we could go to the sealing and help set up the reception. My mom and dad picked those two up from our apartment and brought them to the party. Beckett was in a pretty good mood which I was grateful for. And then it happened...

As a side note I'll explain a little further. Skip this paragraph if you're easily grossed out. Over that week I had learned to listen closely for the sound of the dreaded deed. It was a short, somewhat loud, gurgling sound that announced the arrival of a stomach-turningly pungent soup that filled the lad's diaper without being absorbed onto the padding at all. This would be followed by a quick run into the bathroom for a standing diaper removal and bath time.

So while we sat at the table eating some chocolate fountain goodness, the gurgle made it's appearance. I didn't want to disrupt the table's jovial conversation, so I grabbed the boy, grabbed the backpack (we got over the whole diaper-bag idea a while ago), and headed for the restroom.

Now, most of you might be thinking...this could get messy.  I was thinking it too.  We set up camp in the tiniest of the three bathroom stalls since the other two were occupied.  I crouched and started at the bottom with removing the shoes and then pants.  I was amazed that his pants made it through the ordeal without a stain.  My sweetie was used to the routine by this point, so he held my shoulders and stood still as I carefully removed the diaper and cleaned his cute little tush.  I told him how good of a job he was doing and that he was such a good boy.  Our faces were very close to each other at this point, and he just looked at me and smiled.  I couldn't help laughing, and he laughed too.  And I thought to myself...this is what it's all about.  We got him in a fresh diaper, clothes back on, and returned to the festivities.

I have heard that it is moments like these that forever ingrain themselves on a mother's memory.  I know that this one will forever be written in mine, and I'm surprised to say it, but I'm so grateful for the diarrhea duty that allowed me to share this sweet moment and laugh with my boy.

Meeting Jeffrey R.

So, mom has been the Regional Public Affairs graphic artist for the church in San Diego for a few years now.  Last year we got to benefit from mom's calling and go to the Mormon Battalion Visitor Center's re-dedication (mom took pictures for the Church news).  Jeffrey R. Holland was the Apostle there to perform the dedication, and we got in the long line to meet him, his wife, and a few other general authorities.  Elder Holland was really confused/fascinated by Jeremy's faux-hawk.  It was awesome!

"Wow, you've really got that hair going right up there don't you?"

Doris Marie Serdahl Monroe

My dad's mother...my grandma Monroe...passed away last night.  Her health had been declining for some time, so it was not unexpected.  She lived a long and wonderful life, and I am glad that she is not in pain any longer.  Grandma, you will be dearly missed, but we are all happy for you to be with grandpa again! I went through my scrapbooks and took pictures (rather than ripping out and scanning them all) of the ones of she and I.

making cookies - 1987

going to see the San Diego Temple under construction - 1991

my baptism day - February 1993

most of the Monroe cousins w/gma at Sea Lodge - summer 1993

at my high school graduation - June 2003

my wedding day - May 2007

One of my favorite pictures of her - so cute! - being helped into the Young's home by our friend Ian for Arica's wedding reception - September 2007

"The perfect and absolute knowledge that we as Latter-day Saints have of the divinity of the work in which we are engaged, the absolute assurance that when life ends, if we have been faithful we are to have the pleasure and the privilege of going back into the presence of those whom we have loved and who have gone on before, and that we shall be associated with our Heavenly Father, our Redeemer, the Prophet Joseph Smith, the Patriarch Hyrum and all of the great men and women who have devoted their lives to this cause, brings a peace and a happiness upon occasions of this kind into our hearts, which I am sure no language that I possess or that anybody else possesses can fully explain. 

"To a Latter-day Saint, while death brings sorrow into our homes and our hearts, that sorrow is more or less of the same nature that we feel when we are temporarily called upon to part with our dear ones who are going out into the mission field or who are moving away for some time. That awful anguish that I have seen exhibited by those who know not the truth, I believe never comes into the heart of a true Latter-day Saint."

-Heber J. Grant

Need a laugh?

Because I love Tom Hanks, and find kiddie pageants ridiculous like most Americans.

"I mean, I know what it's like to be a kid...because I played one in 'Big'."