magical

Oh sweet Vida, you darling girl who refuses to potty train unless you go commando. I get it you little poopcicle, undies and pullups are just too much like diapers; go big or go home, you say. "Good for you!"I say, I'm pretty partial to going wild and free myself, or at least I was in the good yonder years.

But today sweet Dida (as you so fondly refer to yourself), you had your first poop accident. It's been a long road coming. You also peed, all over the restaurant floor. I know, I know, it was uncle Ryan who gave you so many glasses of water. So, close, yes, so close we were, you'd already peed on the potty once there. But alas, there was some sordid mix-up and the the rest landed in your cute little tights and pink skirt. I cleaned you up the best I could, but made you wear the evidence home, because what kind of mom has extra clothes for their potty training 2 year old? Pshhh, not this rad mom. No Vida, this is not that type of house hold, so you better learn to clench my dear daughter.

Love,

The poop fairy

all that we can do

Last Sunday I decided to take Royce to the walk in clinic in Okotoks. I had had a nasty cold for the last two weeks, Vida had had a cold and cough for a week, and Royce had started coughing on Friday. I thought they would just send us home and tell us there was nothing to do for babies, just to sit tight; but I thought, "better safe than sorry". They told us he had bronchiolitis (the swelling and mucus buildup in the smaller airways in the lungs). They sent us to the Children's hospital where we were admitted. It was rough to see our sweet little baby having trouble breathing, coughing, having his nose suctioned out, and put on oxygen. He was a real trooper though, even early in the morning while the nurses were poking and prodding him, he'd just smile away at them. They said he was the happiest bronchiolitis baby they'd ever seen. He was such a sweet little angle.

The full tests came back and it turned out that Royce had two viruses causing his bronchiolitis: RSV and the common cold. So Royce and I hungout in the hospital until Friday. We spent every minute together, and even though he was sick, I was really able to cherish that special alone time with my little boy. I'm so grateful for him, and that he is on the mend. He just needs a week or two to get finish getting over his cough, and build back up his immune system. I know that the healing blessing Brandon gave him has helped him to recover quickly, to stay in high spirits, and to really help us to grow more attached to this precious little spirit we've been entrusted with.
I feel optimistic now that the worst is hopefully over, but I'll tell you I rang in the New Year crying in my bed holding a sick little baby. There's nothing more heartbreaking thinking something could happen to one of your babies. Later in the week I found this poem by our dear late prophet, and that of how fitting it was, and should remain, in my life.

put your trust in God. 

by president gordon b hinckley

it isn't as bad as you sometimes think it is.

it all works out. don't worry.

i say that to myself every morning. 

it will all work out. 

put your trust in God, 

and move forward with faith and 

confidence in the future. 

the Lord will not forsake us. 

He will not forsake us. 

if we put our trust in Him, 

if we pray to Him, 

if we live worthy of His blessings, 

He will hear our prayers.

from the funeral program for 

marjory pay hinckley, 

april 10, 2004

Hard things happen in life, terrible things happen; but I know that there is a plan for me. I'm so grateful for all that I've been given, and my heart goes out to those who struggle, who suffer, who are desperately in need. I hope that we can all take and extra minute today to count our blessings, kiss our loved ones, and reach out and help someone else.

When you know that love can last forever after you've created something so beautiful.

Oi Vey

I might be getting a little ahead of myself, but I've really been thinking of my New Year's resolutions. I've already started to get in the groove with some things no, a little jump start if you will. I try to make all my yearly goals about consciousness; opening awareness within myself. I'll share some here with you, in case you'd like to ponder them and take up the crusade as well.

1. My biggest material goal is to rid my house of any and all unnatural chemicals. I already buy all natural cleaning (and most beauty) products, but this year I'm slowly going to teach myself to make all of them. Thereby effectively cutting costs, increasing health by decreasing harmful chemicals in the body, increasing my preparedness skills (ain't goin' be no chapstick in the apocalypse), and increasing my self-worth.

2. This fits in to numero uno, but if I split it up and succeed then I look like a bigger success. Of course if I fail, then I'll be a bigger failure...oh you silly knife cutting both ways! Alack, I digress; I will really strive to get our act, as a family, together with our eating habits. I believe that properly fuelled, and free of harmful additives, or body was created by Heavenly Father to do incredible things, including healing itself. So I will be striving to live the word of wisdom more consciously; ie no addictive substances (sugar, you substitute for crack!), lots of fruits and veggies, and meat sparingly.

3. As I dive deeper into mommydom, and need those frequent mommy breaks, I want to try harder to stay away from the computer and television during this times. Pushing myself towards more creative outlets. I also want to use this same principle for being more consciously active with my kids. Finding new ways to engage with them, and help them grow.

4. While I was pregnant I tried to talk BMan into doing a sprint triathlon with me this upcoming year to loose our extra baby fat. He's looking kind of shaky, but I'm holding strong and can't wait to start training. For all you Lyons' out there, here's the one I think everyone over 10 in the fam should do this summer in Coeur d' Alene. It can even be done with teams for those really lazy people ;)

5. And my two ever present and constant goals of educating myself and service.


Well the girl is waking, so I guess I better get off the computer!

Peace

Post Script

Last night was Brandon's work Christmas party, so Vida ended up out at Grandma's house. I have been in bed all morning with little man.

So delicious.

But now its 11:30 and I'm hungry.

Did you Know?

What up studs? Did you know that I now have as many children as Britney Spears? Craaaazy! He was born on November 11, 2011 at home in our lovely bathtub. We then took about a week to name him because his daddy really thought I was going to give in and name my baby Ronin. No thanks. So we settled on Royce Somerset Lyons. Yes, he is kind of named after the car (thanks Claire's grandparents for putting it in Brandon's head), and his middle name is after the author W. Somerset Maugham, who wrote one of my all time favorite books, The Razor's Edge. We love the little dude. Here are some pictures from his beginning.

First glance. This really is a happy face.

This is what it feels like to give birth.

First pic with Mom and Dad, he's under there somewhere.

                                                                              9 lbs. 22 in.

Vida's first kiss.

B's mom and the G kids.

My dad and Royce

B's dad with Blondie

The Kid's baby blessing

MADE MY DAY !!!!!!!! Please tell me you think this is hilarious too.