Linus

Remember Linus from the Peanuts comic strip. Best friend of Charlie Brown, sucker of thumb, and snuggler of blanket. 

Any resemblance?

Well in our home we have Connor, favored member of the Stanger Family. Best friend of Mommy and Daddy, sucker of bottle, and snuggler of blankie. 

Almost Done Eleven

UPDATE:

Our little bugger as he is commonly known is becoming a ruffeon... meaning he is a ROUGH KID. He has gotten lots of bumps and bruises and scratches and it is all do to his learning to walk. And with walking comes a whole lot of falling. And connor is now in the stage where he hates to fall. So I try to clap when he fall and say "good try." Sometimes he claps back, but other times he cries in a fit of frustration. He is so smart, no matter how hard we block him off from the kitchen he always finds a way in. I am getting a little tired of it. I need to learn to be more patient. So I have decided to give in and not block the kitchen off, instead I just work hard at keeping it clean. This month Connor has been much more independent. Whether it is feeding himself a bottle or playing by himself in his room for a while, he is definitely becoming his own little man. Another development is his stranger anxiety has started to kick in, most times he will go to new people. But then he will want to go right back to Mom and Dad.

MILESTONES

- 8 teeth (his two new ones broke the first of this month, and he is working on others)

- WALKING

- Climbing, consisting of any stairs he can find and trying hard to pull himself up on the sofa. He is already a pro at scaling chairs that we had flipped over to block him off. He would just climb up the rungs and flip over the other side and get up and hurry on his way, trying to run away from Mommy while she chases him.

- Throwing, he loves to play the throw the cup, Mommy picks it up, throw the cup, Daddy picks it up, throw the cup again and again game.

- TALKING, okay okay okay he isn’t communicating really, but so far this is the Con Dictionary

                “nanana”=No

                “da”=Daddy

                “mamama”=Mommy

                Raises his hand and clenches his fist= Come here

                “gaga”= Go

                Shakes his head= I don’t want that

LIKES

- loves opening drawers and cabinets

- loves putting things inside other things, like hiding toys in Daddy’s shoes, What a surprise!

- loves talking on the phone

- loves playing with the remote control, computer, or anything else Mommy/Daddy are occupied with

- loves music, especially repetitive music, he will do a little dance to it if he is in a good mood

- loves pulling all the wipes out of the container

DISLIKES

pouty face

- hates diaper changes

- hates being told “No”

- hates being blocked off from something

- hates when people leave

- Connor is scared of loud noises. Like the vacuum, or the blow dryer, or the train that passes right next to our house. I am trying to get him over the train fear by opening the blinds so we can watch the train pass, it is helping… a little.

MOMMY AND DADDY’S FAVORITE CONNOR-ISMS:

- Connor is our cuddle buddy, just for Mommy and Daddy though!

- Connor loves playing catch me if you can!

- OR playing I am going to get you with roaring Daddy!

- Connor throws the ball to play catch!

- And Connor lights up when Mommy or Daddy come through the door.

- Connor loves people and new places. Even though he gets nervous around strangers, he loves visitors in our house and is sad when they leave.

- Connor gives hugs and kisses and “love” (by shaking his forehead against yours)

Bumping & Bruising

So Connor took his first steps on May 2nd! So he is an 11 month walker and doing grand. He is getting better and better at walking, and a little more brave. Connor is walking all over the place by himself now.

But with walking comes a whole LOT of falling. No fun. And Connor is getting a little frustrated with the falling and so we hear screeching and whimpering now every time he takes a stumble.
And with the Falling comes a good amount of bumps, bruises, and tears!


So here are the many faces of my sad, but accomplished Con Boy ...

Don't worry, he cheers up fast! Even if he is a little afraid of the flash (he gets blink happy).

I Love you Mom!

Dear Mom,

Thank you, for the standards you instilled in me and the knowledge that you taught me. You strengthened me in every way possible and showed me by example how to be a disciple of Christ. You loved us and you were happy everyday, despite our messes and tears and grumbles and fights. For a mother of five you never once let us down and you were always on our side. You fought for us, when it seemed no one else would. You were a friend, when everyone else was gone. You comforted us, when the world seemed to be against us. You were always there to hold our hand and give us a hug. Mom you have never left my side. And I thank you. 

Motherhood is the greatest potential influence in human society. Her caress first awakens in the child a sense of security; her kiss the first realization of affection; her sympathy and tenderness, the first assurance that there is love in the world. Thus in infancy and childhood she implants ever-directing and restraining influences that remain through life.

--David 0. McKay 

A mother is the truest friend we have, when trials heavy and sudden, fall upon us; when adversity takes the place of prosperity; when friends who rejoice with us in our sunshine desert us; when trouble thickens around us, still will she cling to us, and endeavor by her kind precepts and counsels to dissipate the clouds of darkness, and cause peace to return to our hearts.

-- Washington Irving 

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This year was about me too! And last year all I had to symbolize my motherhood was a very large baby bump. This year my boy is close to turning one and I have never learned so much in one year before. What great love I have been blessed with. I have been taught patience and diligence. I work hard to keep my baby happy and sometimes I am so tired it is hard to believe that my baby can wake at 7:00 without any sleep the night  before. But life is a joyous adventure and I am grateful to fill it with my life as a mother.  

I'd rather be a mother than anyone on earthBringing up a child or two of unpretentious birth...I'd rather tuck a little child all safe and sound in bedthan twine a chain of diamonds about my [carefree] head.I'd rather wash a smudgy face with round, bright, baby eyesThan paint the pageantry of fame or walk among the wise.-- Meredith Gray

I've carried a child within my body. I've slept with a baby on my chest. I've kissed bruises and mended frightened hearts. I've hushed cries and wiped tears away. I've watched my baby fall and then succeed. I've been puked on, peed on, pooped on, bled on, and spent sleepless nights with my boy. But I wouldn't have it any other way. My body is far from perfect, but when I look in the mirror I see a MOM, and there is no greater honor or blessing!(I came across a quote like this and I changed it to depict my experiences as a mother).

June 3, 2010 I became a mother to one AMAZING boy.

I love him so much and knowing he is part of our family for eternity is the greatest blessing in the world. 

Connor is 3 months in these Mommy and Me pictures...

Being a mother is not always simple or easy but it is the most rewarding life you can live! 

HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY! 

Learning At Adams

So here is an update on my working status... stay at home mother, all day. That's right I am no longer working at Adams. With Shea's schedule and being away from Connor daily I finally asked if it was possible to find a replacement. They were so nice and I was so grateful. 

And now I get to see THIS FACE all the time!

7 months

While I was working at Adams my day was split into three main parts (and in between I was an aide where ever I was needed). First I got there at 11:00 and supervised Kindergarten pick-up and drop-off till 11:45, from 12:00 - 1:00 I was the ONLY playground duty for 300 or so kids, and then 1:20 to 2:20 was computer lab where I taught one grade a day. Computer lab was the biggest challenge because I was the teacher and had no idea what to teach or how. But I managed, and the kids had fun. 

Since I am not working at Adams Elementary any more I thought I would share a little of what all those kids taught me. The funniest part is listening to what the kids have to say, sometimes they just crack me up. Kids are often not the best secret keepers, so I got told all about divorces, pregnancies, affairs, car accidents, bad older brothers, mean siblings, you name it I heard it. Sometimes I am a little sad to hear about the bad stuff happening right here in Rexburg's Mormon Bubble, but life is life and we just do our best and endure. Most of the time things aren't so depressing. I was told the most wild things that I had to suppress a smile or an explosion of laughter when I heard what some kids had to say, in all seriousness.

This is what the kids at Adams taught me:
From the Kindergartners I learned...

• When telling a girl not to forget her bookbag as she left she whispered, "It's backpack not bookbag. Remember like Dora!" Of course, silly me!
• I was supervising kinder drop off. When this little girl says "I have diarrhea" (sad voice). And another little girl goes "ME TOO" (happy voice)... ""BUT I am not allowed to bring it to school" So girl 1 says "You want to bring your diarrhea to school?" Girl 2 says "YEAH, I got it for my birthday. But my mom says I cant bring it to school" Girl 1 says "you got diarrhea for your birthday" Girl 2 says "yes I got diarrhea for my birthday... it has a lock and i write in it all the time" (very proud voice). SO I say "OHHH You mean you got a DIARY for your birthday" then I sound it out for her and tell her that she means DIARY not diarrhea . Anyway she still couldn't say it the right way she kept saying diarrhea, diarrhea, diarrhea. So then girl 1 goes on to explain that diarrhea is the wet poop that doesn't come off your butt when your wiping. Girl 2 goes "EWWW GROSS, Why would you want that."
• Be careful what you ask ... I asked a kindergartner (boy) if the boy he was sitting next to and talking with was his friend, and he shook his head and said "No he is a bully but my Mom says I have to be nice to everybody." (The boy he was talking about was still right next to him, very discreet kid)

On the Playground I learned ...

• Honesty is the best policy. When I asked a boy why he shoved this girl, he said "I am a bad boy and I have a short temper. I will count to ten next time. Pinky swear." (I still made him sit on the wall for a few mins)
• Never underestimate a child. I remember when I was in school and thing I always longed for is to escape. Well at recess one day I discovered some kids had pulled up the fence and there was a huge gap that they were climbing out through. Yeah dangerous! Everyone ran back and forth, they were all too scared to actually run away. But WOW I felt bad when a lady from the business next door came by to tell me kids were running across her parking lot, they all darted back onto the playground when I came close. I told the principal early this month... still not fixed. So I just keep an eye on the hole in the fence so no kids escape.
• Dress for the weather. One day I decided to wear a skirt to school and look real nice, wrong day to pick because it was freezing and wet/rainy. For recess I was trying to fight away my shivers. A girl came up to me and said "Are you cold? Why did you wear that today? That wasn't very smart, it is too cold for high heels." I was thinking it was too cold for my thin little blazer and my skirt, but high heels works too.
• Sugar can kill you. A little girl came up to me and said "Are you going to be out here everyday?" I answered "Yes" and then she responded with "Well don't eat too much sugar or you will get sick and die and you wont be here anymore."
• Make-up =Marriage. 4th Grader: "Are you wearing glitter?" Me: "Yeah, it is the make-up on my eyes" 4th Grader: "Why do you wear make-up?" Me: "Because it makes me look pretty." 4th Grader: "Are you trying to get married?" Me: "Actually I am already married." 4th Grader: "OOOOHHHH" .... "Then why do you want to look pretty?"
• First Graders came up and told me they were playing "lifesavers", they said they want to be just like me, and go around and help people. When someone is crying I go save them. So I am now known as the lifesaver, I feel like a superhero :)

In the Computer Lab I learned ...

• When asked what the number one rule in the computer lab is several students answered, "No Chewing on the Cords". I will have to add that one to the list. (2nd Grade)
• One day there was a few minutes left so I gave them free time, they just had to ask me what sites they wanted to go on. One boy raised his hand real high, and shouted out "Can we go on Barbie Princess?" (3rd Grade)

"I Love to See the Temple"

Shea and I did an endowment session at the temple on Saturday. And we have made a goal to go to the temple twice a month. Once for endowments and once for sealings or initiatories. Life is so crazy and it can get so busy and our priorities can get blinded by that of the world. But when a temple is so close and so gloriously awaiting us at all times. It would be so sad not to take advantage of the opportunity we have living here in Rexburg. 

"The temple provides purpose for our lives. It brings peace to our souls—not the peace provided by men but the peace promised by the Son of God when He said, 'Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you.'"

I Love to See the Temple

Children’s Songbook, pg. 95

I love to see the temple.

I’m going there someday

To feel the Holy Spirit,

To listen and to pray.

For the temple is a house of God,

A place of love and beauty.

I’ll prepare myself while I am young;

This is my sacred duty.

I love to see the temple.

I’ll go inside someday.

I’ll cov’nant with my Father;

I’ll promise to obey.

For the temple is a holy place

Where we are sealed together.

As a child of God, I’ve learned this truth:

A fam’ly is forever

The Washington D.C. temple is on a hill and when you are driving to it, it just appears out of nowhere through the trees! What a beautiful sight it is. I remember non-members from home would call it a castle, when they asked about it.

From almost anywhere in Rexburg I can see the temple, it stands on a hill. A light in darkness and a beacon constantly calling. It is a constant reminder of our Savior's love and the covenants I have made there. The work that we do there is vital to our salvation and to the salvation's of others. 

I love to see the temple.

"How far is heaven?

It’s not very far.

In temples of God,

It’s right where we are."