8.8!!!

I served in the Chile Santiago West mission some years ago.

Late Friday night I found myself exhausted! This weekend was sure to be full of excitement and fun. So I figured that my inability to relax on Friday night due to all of the anticipation. Well at 12 AM Saturday morning I couldn't sleep. So I decided to make some cookies to share during my grandfather's 80th birthday celebration. While I was baking cookies my mind wandered to my time as a missionary. I found myself thinking in those that will forever be in my memory and help with my love of the Chilean people. Why I thought these things I didn't know. I frequently find myself wondering about these special Chilean friends. Imagine my surprise and dread when I learned (in the wee hours of the morning) that a terrible earthquake hit my second favorite nation! While I was serving in Chile everyone spoke of the "Gran Terremoto (Great Major Earthquake)" that was supposed to hit while I was there. Chileans frequently have earthquakes, so generally speaking they are able to react very well to them. During my time there I experienced my first earthquake, one 5.5 or so on the richter scale.

I digress...

Chile had experienced this terremoto. I was devasted. The quake hit 200 miles-ish south of Santiago. My locations of service were spared some of the great destruction, but they still FELT it and EXPERIENCED it all the same. My heart was so full when this news finally reached my understanding. I cried, I prayed, I pleaded and I gave my anxiety to the Lord that night. I may not have any FAMILY in Chile, but I have plenty of LOVED ones and members of my ETERNAL FAMILY in Chile.

My exhaustion was evident the next morning when I looked terrible and was scared and worried for my loved ones. Thankfully, I have Facebook. I have such a strong testimony of the wonders of technology that sometimes I can't believe people use such things for negative uses. About 30 minutes after the earthquake my Chilean friends who are now living abroad took to Facebook looking for some sign that family and friends were okay. Through Facebook we shared our concerns, our worries, and above all we shared our news of connecting with certain individuals and finding that they were without power and homes, but strong in spirit and faith! About 15 hours after the quake those with cell phone service and the ability to connect to Facebook via the cell phone were able to get online and let us know that they were okay. So many have still been unable to get online, but those who can are spreading relatively good news via Facebook. As of now most have homes still, but material items are destroyed. Gracias a Nuestro Padre Celestial por esta bendicion!

24 hours of panic, worry and concern are slowly leaving my body. I have never been more grateful for having served amongst a stronger, more faithful group of choosen people. I have always said that I left part of my heart in Chile and this weekend helped remind me of that. I am so grateful that so many have such strong spirits. Chileans have such a feeling of community and I know that they will quickly recover and be made whole. Soy Chilena! Me corazon se queda en Chile con la gente!

On a side note I received word that the temple was generally speaking undamaged by the earthquake. Many temple workers returned to work Saturday morning and they were able to hold a session in the temple before the generators (running the electricity died). So many faithful workers and members are in Chile. This should help testify of that. Missionaries were all okay and accounted for and are going to receive countless opportunities and blessings from this event.

Even though I have spoke highly of my favorite (and chosen people), please continue to pray for their safety and quick recovery.

Crushes...

I am a happily married woman. My Brian is the most wonderful thing that ever happened to me.
Look at his handsome mug. AAHHhhhh.


But I am confused with my subconscience. Knowing that I am happily married, I always have dreams about other men. Yes! Its true! Brian knows of these dreams and the "other men". But my question is which person am I attracted to, in my dream. The character or the actor. Help me decide.




My new obsession is with the television show "Chuck". On this show he is Chuck Bartowski, a Nerd Herd employee (think Geek Squad) is accidentally implanted with all of the governments information on bad guys. So his brain is very valuable. The show takes you on missions as he and his handlers expertly capture the bad guys. See picture on the top. But the character of Chuck is played by a very refreshing tall drink of water, Zachary Levi (picture on the bottom).



Now we move on to another obsession of mine, the television show House, M.D. This program follows a diagnostician as he tries to solve the mysteries surrounding crazy illness and fluke pains. The character is Dr. Gregory House. (see picture on thetop) On the bottom, is a picture of Hugh Laurie, amazing actor and musician and all around cutie.

In my dreams I am usually helping Hugh Laurie solve a medical dilemia, or having Zachary Levi save me and my very important thoughts from the bad guys with his super human powers. One would automatically assume I was crushing on the the characters, but in my dreams I call them by their given names. Weird. Am I crazy? Am I the only one whose heart skips a beat for their husband, actors and television characters?

Truth be told I have also had dreams about Anthony Edwards, Chris O'Donnell, Anthony Bourdain and many others. Hugh Laurie and Zachary Levi are just re-occurring dream heroes.

New Blog for Grandpa Bob

I just made a new blog in honor of my grandfather, Charles "Bob" Arnold. His 80th birthday is on February 27. We are having an open house in his honor. If you are able to come and visit that day please do so. For more information head over to his blog. Please leave a comment wishing him a happy birthday. Feel free to add anything else; memories, experiences, and well wishes.

Thanks to all and hope to see you there!

Aidan's Bedroom

For Aidan's birthday I made him a blanket and a pillow of Thomas the Tank Engine. He loves them. He wants to carry them with him most of the day. So I decided that we should decorate his room accordingly. We haven't painted the walls yet (as soon as that tax money comes in) but soon. I was trying to decide how to add some "flair" to the walls. I have been looking all over online and decided that all of the Thomas the Tank Engine merchandise is either too expensive or ugly or both. So I decided today that I would try and make some "original" art work for his bedroom. I painted the pictures myself using some pictures from the internet as my guide. What do you think? I have an idea for two more pictures that I will do later this weekend.


The blue one is Thomas the Tank Engine and the green one is Percy. My ideas for others include doing a red train, James. And doing some railroad crossing signs similar to the ones below. I hope my novice decorating skills will help to turn Aidan's room into something I (and he) can be proud of having.

Exhausted

I remember when Aidan was a wee little lad and all he did was sleep. Not the situation today. Aidan is reminding me everyday that he is a boy of two.

Whoever coined the term "terrible twos" wasn't lying. This stage is apparently very difficult for a child. The child is finally figuring out how to manipulate their bodies and appendages. They are much better at communication. They have finally figured out there surroundings and have developed little personalities. They have strong likes and dislikes. And in my case a serious independent streak.

Aidan has been trying my patience for the last two days. He has dabbled in the terrible twos for months now, but the last couple of days have been the worst. Maybe I am just on a short thread.

Aidan refuses to eat anything unless I have asked him permission first. He loves chicken nuggets. He knows this and I do too. I proceeded to make some nuggets for lunch yesterday. He flipped out. Refused to eat them. He screamed and hollered as we, together, went through everything in the cupboard and fridge looking for what he wanted to eat. After he choose the bag of nuggets, only then would he eat them. They were the same! He just apparently needs to be consulted before I can do anything.

Then this kid hates his diaper. Hates it! But hates the potty more. He loves to wear his Thomas the Train underpants but still does his business in his pants. I have tried to tell myself that maybe he just isn't as ready as I would have liked. So I choose not to push him (I have been told that to force a child into potty training could be tramatic). Yesterday I had just changed his diaper and proceeded to put away our craft project when he climbed back on the couch (next to our craft table) and sat down. It was at this time that I realized in a split moment he had taken off his shirt and pants and DIAPER. This is not uncommon for Aidan. He likes to show me that he can undress himself and run around in his birthday suit. The kicker today was that he had just had a BM. Luckily the BM was later found in his diaper, but that didn't nor doesn't change the fact that he crawled up on the couch and sat down on the arm of the couch with a poopy butt. I was beside myself. AAAGGGGHHH! I am in moderate freak out mode when Aidan decides this must be funny. And I am lost between cleaning off the poop, cleaning him and replacing the diaper. All of which was the wrong answer for Aidan's game because he made this seemingly small, obnoxious task and JOKE!

Another Aidan-ism. Last night he decided he needed Brian. Had to have Brian. So needless to say the battle of wills is taking place as we speak and that is the only reason why I am currently awake at 730AM. He freaked out for hours last night wanting to either be out of bed or with Brian. In the middle of the night, neither is a viable option.

His limited vocabulary doesn't stop him from making sure that we are paying attention or doing as HRH demands. His new words..."stop", "broke", "down", "you come", and "NO!"

I am lacking a good nights sleep. I love my child. But seriously! Mommy isn't trying to be a pain in a two years old behind, she really does know best at this age.

Busy Weekend

I just added a slide show of Aidan's 2nd birthday party. I can't believe my baby is 2! The time flew by without my permission! Aidan is such a delight to our little family. He really rules the roost. I am so amazed at how much personality a 2 year can have. Here are some details about our little Aidan.

Height: 37 inches
Weight: 37 pounds
Shoe size: 8
Clothes size: 3T
Likes: Thomas the Tank Engine, visiting family, Cars (any cars, he calls them Roary-after Roary the Racecar cartoon), drums, guitars, singing, dancing, chicken nuggets and fries, puzzles, balls, coloring, watching Brian play video games, books, and running. I am pretty sure he will be a linebacker when he grows up.
Television shows: Sesame Street, Caillou, Thomas the Tank Engine, anything Disney, Roary the racecar, and Curious George
Dislikes: having Dad go to work, timeout, soups
Favorite words: "Eewww", "broke", "stuck", "tada", "MOM" (mom was a long time coming, he still loves to call everyone "Daa-ie" but finally mom is a daily fixture in his vocabulary)

We love Aidan so much!

Aidan's 2nd birthday

Ezra Tiberius Jones Armga

I just added some slide shows. The first one is a overview of last year. I don't have all the photos I wanted to put into it but that is because I can't find them. I hope you enjoy what I could come up with. The second slide show is of our trip to the Clark Planetarium in SLC. We went with our good friends the McFaddens and had a blast. I have two more slide shows that I am working on...stay tuned.

Slide Show for 2009

Aidan in Space!

Valentine Cards

The other day we invited our bestest buddies over to do an activity. Both daddies were working so we moms and kids had fun. We made Valentine Cards. Aidan really enjoyed using the glue on everything. Zoe did a fabulous job of both gluing and writing on her cards. And Lincoln kept trying to escape to the basement via the stairs. What fun!

Aidan and his glue stick.

Zoe and Meg working together to get the card just right.

Everyone working. So much fun!

Random pictures of my baby

Aidan in his church clothes. I thought he looked so cute.

Aidan is wearing a very dashing tie.
And just like a little boy should, he is trying to take it off.

Mom can't go to the bathroom while Aidan is eating.
When I came back he had taken off his diaper
and thrown it in the trash.
He insisted on eating, sans pantalones.

He still likes to play with pants on his head.
He still thinks it is hilarious.

Sometimes I don't understand Aidan.
He refused to sleep in his crib.
Instead he made himself comfortable on the couch
and passed out.

He asked for it.
He wanted the green bow on his head.

Aidan enjoying his first spring roll.

And this proves that I am an awesome mom!
I am letting my son play with play dough.
Go me!