Missionary Sushi Feast!

Wes and I have always loved feeding the missionaries. Wes feels it is his civic duty for us as Church members to feed them as he rarely got fed by Church members on his mission. We hadn't done it for a while recently with busy schedules and what not, but we have sort of become 'known' for making sushi or German food. One of our favorite Elders ever, Elder Ingham, just got transferred back into this area(not our ward, but very close) and so we decided to have all four of them over for a sushi feast because it's Elder Ingham's favorite and he'll be going home soon, and also because with school starting and whatnot, I don't know how much we'll be able to do it. (how was that for a run-on sentence?) Anyway, Wes made a seriously amazing feast! He is definitely getting to be a pro. All of the Elders, except the Elder from Samoa(I can't remember his name!) loved it. A good time was had by all and we really enjoyed their company. For an up close look at the yummy food, click the photo. Liam happily enjoyed mac 'n cheese as he wanted nothing to do with sushi on Saturday, although he usually loves it. Go figure.

Mamas for Obama!

Tonight is a very exciting night in our Nation's history! Whether you are Democrat, Republican, Independent, Green, Libertarian etc, it's pretty amazing to be in a time when the first African American becomes a Presidential Candidate! Obviously, I've been a long time supporter of Obama, even before we were able to see him speak last year. Tonight Michelle Obama gave an amazing speech. And Senator Kennedy gave an awe inspiring speech as well! It's amazing that he made the sacrafice to be there with all he's been going through.

I know that there will always be someone who says 'it's just a bunch of words' or that 'he's just not ready.' But, I obviously feel differently. I really feel that there is more hope than there has been for a long time for our country. Others may feel the same about John McCain, and that's great too. Hope is a good, positive emotion--no matter who or what makes you feel it. That's the great thing about being American-- we have a choice!

Liam also enjoyed the convention tonight. (even if he was playing 'piggies' on my toes) :) Now I just have to buy him this shirt I've been eyeing. ;)The main reason for my soapbox tonight? Well, first of all, to document an exciting time in history for myself and for Liam, as well as to encourage everyone to vote! Michelle Obama reminded us of a time 80 years ago when women first got the right to vote: so let's exercise it! It's our privilege and civic duty!

I survived!

Welp, I can officially say I am one day into the Nursing Program. haha. It went great. I think they started us off easy! I feel very lucky because I get to carpool with three other girls down to the campus where our class is in Galena and have them for moral support. The class went great--we just jumped right into Cardiovascular Assesment. I'm really excited. I know it will be hard, but I am just taking things one day at a time and remembering that this is for the benefit of Me, Wes, Liam and our little family as a whole. :)

Of course, I had to take the customary "First Day of School" photo. Unfortunately, mom, I had no one to take a photo of me with my backpack on and with my hand on the door knob showing my whole 'first day of school outfit' off. haha. But, Liam proudly showed off his "Dora Lunchbox" that he picked out all by himself from Nana. Yes, it's purple. Yes, it's sparkly, but I figured he is 100% boy all the other time and, he's two; Let him have a purple lunch box if he wants. Plus, he goes to a baby-sitter full of girls, what can you say? He was pretty excited to head to Sammy's today. This is the first time he'll be in day care full time since he was born, but even though I have some half day classes, I figure I can study in the afternoons and give him more undivided attention when we're home together. So, anyway, that's my report. Oh yeah, we did get a cool "Orvis School of Nursing" free recylced something-or-other bag today. Nice to know what my tuition pays for, eh? I would have rather had a free day planner like the good ole days, but nope, budget cuts, so I had to go to Target. Oh well, if that's my only complaint about today, all is well. :)

Boys and Their Trucks

We went to Yerington again this weekend, but this time for a very good friends' grandma's funeral. It was a lovely service and then the reception following was at the Yerington Fire House. Liam was so excited! He has a firetruck on his puzzle, so he was thrilled to see one in real life! I was excited because he got to wear his adorable new outfit from Izzy's Grammie. How cute is this? A little boys' dream!
Liam found a little friend to play with and get into all sorts of fun trouble with! Little Zack liked the trucks, too!
Afterward we took the kiddos swimming at the Yerington pool and then Liam played in the park. My sister and I were thinking that would exhaust he and Izzy for the ride back to Reno. Alas, Izzy was asleep before we left the parking lot, but of course, Liam fell asleep approximately 2 miles before we got home. Good thing he's so adorable!

Date Night!

Last night, Wes, Jake, Erica and I went on a Mini-Golf and Coldstone double date. We had a great time! The night started off very well for me-- I got the first hole in one! I really, really stink at mini-golf, so this was especially exciting. Erica followed right after me with her hole in one. Her little baby girl might be quite the mini golfer!
Poor Jake and Wes got two strokes on the lucky hole!
Then a sudden turn of events had me getting approximately seven or so strokes on each hole. I even had one go in the water on total accident. I got chastised by the attendent who told me to "Please be more careful" with a huge smile on her face like she was laughing at me.

Erica kept up a pretty even game with good consistency until we got to a hole with a spinner and I got to switch scores with her! Muhahahah However, even with my luck in score switching and a hole in one, I still got fourth place. Erica came in with the bronze.
And proud Jake got the gold and Wes with the silver only two strokes ahead of Jake.
Of course the husbands had to trick us and play a few video games before we left.

We had a wonderful time, even if I am still horrible at mini-golf. I think that hole in one may have been my first one ever(well, without cheating that is...)!

Assurance

Last night Wes and I were fortunate to have the opportunity to go to the temple. I've been feeing stressed and jittery all week about school, so I needed to calm down about and be assured that what I am doing is the absolute best thing I can do for our family and for Liam. Plus, Wes and I just wanted to be able to go to one more session ahead of time.
We had a wonderful time and I received the peace I needed. I really feel like I can do this and that this is what I am supposed to be doing, without a doubt. Now, I am READY! I'm excited! And I'm thankful that the stress is gone(until next weekend, right?) I can now officially say, "Bring it on!" :)

PS- My hubby took that beautiful photo last night. The sky was truly amazing. Nothing like Nevada sunsets is there? If only we could get rid of the orange cone Nevada state flower already!

Dr. Childs is the Best!

If you notice in the previous post, you can get quite a good look at Liam's chompers with his silly face. I am very careful about making sure he doesn't eat sugary things or have juice regularly and about brushing, etc. Having been in dentistry for about 5 or so years, you would think I would have cavity free teeth. Nope. I brush, floss, fluoride, you name it. I still get those buggars. Anyway, I check Liam's teeth regularly. When he did his silly face for me, I noticed, to my horror, that there was a little dark spot on one of his molars. Being the composed mom that I am, I freaked. I felt like the worst parent in the entire world. I cried. Yes, I cried. I thought FOR SURE it was a cavity on my TWO year old. Who lets their TWO year old get a cavity?! If that wasn't crazy enough, I was half tempted to call my wonderful dentist, Dr. Childs, at home. However, I realized that was borderline insane and waited until Monday. Being the fantastic office that they are, they got Liam in on Tuesday for a little check. I was a little worried how he would do, but we practiced saying "AHHHHHH" and counting teeth before we went. He had a wonderful assistant(see above picture--Dr. Childs sneaked away too quickly to get a photo) who make the experience great. He got to go for a 'ride' in the 'purple chair' and Maria played puzzles with him to help calm his fears. Dr. Childs was awesome and let Liam count his teeth with him. Turns out that it's a little stain that hasn't penetrated the enamel yet. Thank goodness! However, he fluoride varnished his teeth and gave me some other fluoride to rub on the spot with a q-tip. He has to go back in three months(I'll get a picture then!) to check and makes sure it doesn't turn into a cavity. Let's just pray he doesn't inherit my soft teeth. Anyway, Liam was especially thrilled when he got to choose a little car from the toy box. After we got in the car to go home he said something along the lines of "Want to go to Dentist to ride in purple chair and get 'nother toy!" I think it was a success. Here he is at home showing me how he showed Dr. Childs his teeth and with his cool new car.

PS- Jen- I wish you could have been there! We missed you!