Once There Was a Snowman

(3/14/10)

A couple of weeks ago while we were driving to Snowflake Josh and I were admiring all the snow on the Rim, and Josh kept saying how he wanted to get out and make a snowman and a snowball. I'm a mean mom and wouldn't stop, but told him if there was any snow at Grandma's house we would play in it there. There was no snow when we got there on Saturday, but low and behold, it snowed about an inch during the night! Josh, my nephew Jake and I (in my pj's) braved the cold and went out to play. We (and by we I mean Jake and I--Josh was too busy to help) were able to put together a mini snowman that at least stayed upright through church. By the time church got out that was pretty much the only snow left on the ground.

3 Peas in a Pod

Marlee, Mary & Jaki (3/14/10)

Last summer when I found these dresses on clearance for $1 each (yes $1!), I couldn't pass up getting matching dresses for Mary and her cousins Marlee (Mindy's daughter who is 6 days younger) and Jaki (Kayla's daughter who is about 5 months older). A few weeks ago we were all in Snowflake for my nephew Shad's mission homecoming talk, so they got to all wear them together. Unfortunately we forgot/ran out of time to take a picture before church, so Mary was really tired and slobbery from church snacks, but these 3 girls are still cute! Mindy, Kayla and I often had matching dresses that my mom would make for us when we were little, so it was fun to pass on this "tradition" to the next generation.

Mmmmm...Milk

(3/1/10)

The other day I walked out of my room to find this. It made me happy.

I Made A Difference!

A couple of weeks ago we had dinner with my mom and she passed along a partial message that was left for me on her answering machine here in Mesa (she has the same phone number as they did when they owned our condo). It was from a girl who I used to visit teach in one of my singles' wards, probably 6 or 7 years ago. This girl came to our ward and got her records transferred in, but then I don't think she ever came to our ward again. I was her visiting teacher, and would get to visit with her every so often, but usually would just end up leaving her a note.

Anyway, after a couple of times trying to call her we were able to get in touch with each other. She told me that she was going through some stuff she had and came across one of the notes I had left her with my phone number on it, so she tried it out. She is now married and going back to church (her husband got her going back) and just recently got sealed in the temple, and she just wanted to let me know that I made a difference. She totally made my day!

Uploading Pictures???

How do you upload pictures to Blogger?

These are the options I've tried thus far:

• the "Add Image" button that limits you to 5 at a time (and you have to browse for them individually),
• uploading them directly from Picasa, which limits to 4 at a time,
• emailing them to the blog via Picasa, which also has some downsides (I haven't tried this in so long I can't remember them right now),
• using the Blog Template in Word 2007, but I can't figure out how to get the pictures to upload.

If I ever want to post more than 4-5 pictures, it's annoying and takes forever! I've heard of blogging with LiveWriter, but I really don't know much about it. Anyone else use it?

There must be a better way...what am I missing people???

Josh's Funnies

Several months ago I started keeping a list of the funny things Josh says/does so I would remember them to add to this blog. Here are those that I remembered to add to the list:

1. After getting shots during his last checkup (back in August), the nurse put bandaids over the pricked spots, then we prepared to give Mary her shots. Josh was pretty upset about the whole ordeal (understandably so), and kept crying and crying and trying to pull the bandaids off. When I finally realized that it was the bandaids that were upsetting him and pulled them off, he calmed right down and started eating his fruit snacks. I've never heard of a kid who doesn't like bandaids, but he still doesn't! He'll never let me put one on him and fights it tooth and nail if I try. I guess he associates them with being hurt.
2. Josh LOVES his fruit snacks! One day while trying to get him to share one with me I started fake crying after he said no. He started almost crying seeing me "cry," so I stopped and explained to him I was only joking. Apparently it wasn't too upsetting to him, though, because he still wouldn't share with me.
3. One day I overheard him doing "This Little Piggie" on Mary's toes...so cute!
4. Several months ago I started singing the song "When We're Helping We're Happy" while he was helping me pick up toys. After singing it through a couple of times and finishing with "and we like to help Mama, for we all love her so" he added "MUCH!" I love that boy!
5. Back when it was still super hot outside I was putting Josh in his car seat and he said "Roasty toasty." Yes indeed.
6. David often has Josh feel his whiskers by taking his hands and rubbing them down his face and saying "Rub the whiskers." One day I saw Josh doing the same thing to Mary, complete with the "Rub the whiskers" saying!
7. While driving in the car around Christmas-time I was trying to teach Josh "We Wish You a Merry Christmas." He said "We Wish You a Baby Christmas." (Mary = Baby to him.) That one had me busting out laughing when I finally figured out what he was saying/meaning.
8. He calls his Great Grandma and Great Grandpa Orr "Baby Grandma" and "Baby Grandpa." I don't know where he got that from.
9. When Josh does something really good I'll tell him "I'm so proud of you" and give him a big hug. The other day (and a few times since), while giving me a hug he told me he was so proud of me. I'm so glad he isn't embarrassed of me yet!
10. The other day we passed by a big crane on the way to David's work and Josh pointed to it and said, "A fishing pole!" I guess it does kind of look like a fishing pole, although I don't know where he even learned about fishing poles!
11. This afternoon I turned "Cars" on for him, and when the Disney castle logo came up he pointed to it and said "A temple!"
12. Pretty much every time I zip up pj's or jackets for him or Mary I sing the "Zip-a-dee-doo-da" song (got that from my mom). I guess Josh has heard it a time or two, since the other day he started singing it and was able to do most of it by himself. Actually, Josh has a GREAT memory and can learn songs fairly quickly. Some of his most recent are: "There's a Great Big Turkey," "I Love You a Bushel and a Peck," and "K-k-k-Katie."

What a funny boy!

Letter to Santa

Here is Josh's letter to Santa for 2009:

Here's what it says:

Dear Santa Clause,

I have been a pretty good boy. I am nice to my sister Mary. And sometimes I like to obey my mom and dad.

Please bring me a dump truck for Christmas. I will have lots of fun with it, especially if we move to a new house.

Thank you and Merry Christmas!

Love,

Joshua Flake Orr