My Rascal

My little boy is growing up way too fast. Brian and I were just discussing how much he is changing in every way. He's definitely more independent and his thought process, and therefore conversation, is totally evolving. Here are some funny tidbits that have come out of his mouth recently:

 (I found this picture on my phone today. He loves taking pictures of himself.)

I've started trying to teach him about history a little more. Mostly random things. For instance, since he loves boats, the other day we discussed the Titanic. This week we just so happened to be driving through Pigeon Forge (a way touristy area here near the Smoky Mountains) where there is a Titanic Museum. The museum's exterior was designed to look like the Titanic, including depicting it ramming into a giant iceberg. So, we pointed it out to James as we drove past. It struck his little brain as amazing and he wanted to talk about it the whole way home. Last night as he was saying his bedtime prayer, it went like this, "Dear Heavenly Father, thank you for this day, we ask thee to bless us, and please bless the ship that ran into the iceberg." We've been trying to teach him to personalize his prayers a little more, and well, there you have it.

Today during quiet time I told James he could watch 101 Dalmations because Livy has been sick and not sleeping well and I knew a movie would ensure James actually would stay quiet. We haven't watched it in months and just as I was starting it he told me that his favorite part was "where the bad guy gets his bum burned by the fire." There is, indeed, a part where Jasper gets his rear-end burned, but I never would have remembered it or thought James would have either so I mentioned that fact to him, that I was surprised he remembered that part. etc. He then asked, "How did I remember that?" and I replied, "I don't know, buddy, probably because you have a good memory." I guess he was expecting another answer because a second later he asked, "Did the Holy Ghost help me to remember that part?" I had to think for a second how to respond to that one. Try explaining to a three-year-old that the Holy Ghost probably doesn't care if he remembers parts of a movie.

A couple nights ago I was giving him a bath. We've all had runny noses the last couple weeks (it just won't end) and so I'm constantly telling James to go get a tissue to wipe his nose. Toward the end of his bath his nose was starting to run and he slyly said "Mom, turn away. Cover your eyes for a minute." I very casually covered my eyes, of course watching to see what he didn't want me seeing.
He then grabbed one of the foam alphabet letters he'd been playing with in the tub, wiped his nose with it and then threw it behind his back. Seriously, kid? So gross (but also kinda funny)! We had a little chat about that and I made him scrub it with soap afterward.

The other day I was chasing James (probably trying to get his pajamas on) through the house and he yelled "You can't catch me! I'm the speediest guy you ever saw!"

James and I have our good days and bad days together. There are definitely days where he is a total rascal and pushes all my buttons or days when I am just so tired that I have no patience, even when he's probably not being that bad. A couple weeks ago we were having a really good day together, both of us were in a good mood, I hadn't yelled or had to send him to his room, etc., and as I snuggled with him on the couch to read a story he took my face in his hands and said "Mommy, I love you," then he kissed my hand and said "Good job being a nice mommy today!" I was overcome with a mixture of both love and guilt by that comment. It was a nice reminder that I have a lot to work on as a mother.

Last Sunday, Elder Dallin H. Oaks, of the Quorum of the Twelve, came to meet with our stake. It was a huge deal here because apostles don't come here often. It reminded me how much I took for granted growing up in Utah. He was scheduled to speak at 10 on Sunday but by 8 a.m. the chapel was already full. Crazy! Luckily we got there early enough to sit at the front part of the overflow. Elder Oaks showed up at 9 and went around and shook nearly every person's hand. I was in awe at his generosity (especially compared to an experience we had with another apostle a few years ago who didn't seem so excited that anyone wanted to meet him) and kindness, etc. I tried to explain to James what this meeting was all about and who was coming, etc., but he didn't seem interested so much. Even when Elder Oaks was shaking his hand, I could tell he had no idea what was going on or how special the man shaking his hand was, but it still made me a little emotional that my sweet little boy was shaking an apostle's hand. It reminded me of Jesus' love for little children and for the capacity that children have to love. Even though James probably won't remember that moment, I always will.

I sure love this kid.