Tender Mercies

I've been struggling as a mom the last couple weeks.  Just the typical frustrations of feeling guilty for doing blank or not doing blank.  However, Cordon did two things the last couple days that completely boosted my spirits and helped me realized that I'm doing something right. 

Situation one: Chris told Cordon it was his turn to say the family prayer and suddenly, with no help from us, Cordon said;

"Heaven Fada,

Thank play with toys,
go shopping
married in temple
Jesus Christ, Amen"

I'll admit that I cried. It was just so dang sweet.

Situation two: Cordon grabbed a book I'm currently reading and climbed onto the couch with it.  He opened it up and said "maken came to pass, the end" (and it came to pass)

Those two moments were exactly what I needed to see that I'm not completely failing as a mom. It may be the most frustrating job sometimes, but there is nothing better then being a mom. 

The Power of the Priesthood

Yesterday Eliza woke up grumpy.  As the day went on she got worse and worse.  By the end of the day she was screaming. She wouldn't eat or sleep and her forehead was cold and clammy.  I called my aunt, who is a RN and she said she wasn't sure what it could be but to watch Eliza through out the night and if she isn't better by morning take her in to the Dr.  She also said "sounds like your in for a long night. Just remember, while your up, I'll be asleep."  Thanks for rubbing it in Aunt Linda.  I then called my mom and she said "has Chris given her a priesthood blessing"  I rolled my eyes at myself in pure annoyance that we hadn't thought of that yet. About 10 seconds into the blessing Eliza snuggled into my arm and fell asleep.  I put her in her crib and he slept all night.  Today she has been 'talking' and laughing like nothing happened.  I have no idea what was hurting her so much yesterday but I'm so grateful for this wonderful gift from the Lord and a wonderful husband who is worthy of it. 

My Knight In Shining Armor

After reading the title I know you all think this post is about Chris.  While he is my hero and a woderful man, this blog is actually about melaleuca.

I grew up with melaleuca.  My mom always had some of it in the house that she usually used for medical reasons but it also comes in hair products, toothpastes, beauty products, etc.  It was used in our every day living and it was only a few years ago that I realized that it's not a usual household product and most people don't know what it is. (it's a plant)  So here is my plug for the greatest product ever made. 

While I don't use all the melaleuca stuff we had growing up, I always make sure I either have the gel or the oil which is great for medical uses.  I've used it for ear infections, on cuts, bug bites, but the best is for burns.  Cordon burned his hand a year ago and even though it was blistered he was using it normally the next day.  Melaleuca takes away all the pain with a burn.  

I've always known it was great, but a few days ago I was blown away again.  4 months ago Cordon got a cold with a nasty cough.  The cold left but the cough decided to take up residence.  Every night and every time he ran around, Cordon would cough.  For the last 4 months we have tried everything; vicks on his chest and feet, humidifiers, honey, hot showers, prescriptions, inhalers, x-rays......  Nothing worked.  Sometimes he would cough so bad that he would choke and start bawling because it scared him.  One night he coughed for 3 hours straight, I wish I was exaggerating.  Did I mention this went on for FOUR MONTHS.  A few days ago I remembered that two of my sisters had kids that went through coughing phases like this.  I called them both and they both said the same thing "use melaleuca." So a few nights ago he woke up at 3am coughing. I put some on his chest and within 20 min he stopped and was sound asleep.  I thought this was pretty amazing.  The next night I put a couple drops on the bottom of his feet and a couple on his chest right before bed.  20 min later I heard "cough, cough" then that was it, nothing, nada, no noise all night.  I was shocked.  Every time I got up to feed Eliza I would check on him to make sure he was ok.  I've gotten so use to hearing him cough most the night that the silence was scary.  It's been a few days and some nights he still wakes up coughing but once I put more oil on his chest he is fine within 10 min.  This stuff is the greatest. 

Monkey Joes

 For playgroup this week we went to Monkey Joe's.  It's one of those places with a bunch of inflatable jungle gyms.  Cordon was in heaven.  He could jump and run to his hearts content. I loved it because they have great security measures in place, it's clean, they have tons of employees walking around making sure the kids are ok and a great place for parents to sit and see most of the jungle gyms.  Also, it was so cheap that I think we will be going back frequently until spring comes back. 

 Look how steep those stairs are.  But he climbed up the 20+feet with no problem. Although I knew it was time to go when I started to see his little arms shake when he was trying to climb up for the billionth time

They had 2 little bounce houses just for toddlers.  Ironically he needed help climbing in and out of them but he could climb up the biggest slide by himself. 

Nana and Bugga's Visit

 My parents came to visit for a few days.  Cordon was stoked to see Nana again.  He hasn't seen my dad in almost 2 years but he warmed up to him immediately. By the second day of the visit Cordon and Bugga even had little inside jokes.  Every time my parents went to their hotel at night he would cry and ask for Nana and Bugga until they came back the next morning.

Looking good Bugga.

 Watching a Dora story on the projector

My dad is just a little to big for the tunnel

We went to the annual Farm Show.  Its basically 1 million square feet of State Fare type stuff with the best food imaginable.  The shuttle from the parking lot to the building was a school bus.  Cordons latest obsession is school buses so to actually ride one was like winning the lottery. Although my mom is looking pretty stoked to be on the bus also.

Cordon wasn't to sure about the clowns

 The Farm Show wouldn't be complete without a sculpture made of 1000 lbs of butter

 Eliza was just happy to be along for the ride

 We also did the obligatory tour at Hershey's Chocolate World.  I think I about have it memorized

 Cordon learning how to be a factory worker

 5 lbs of chocolate. I feel fat just looking at it

one, two, threeeeeeeeeee

We had a little boy over last week who introduced Cordon to the wonderful world of jumping off things.  He now spends most of his days jumping off everything

 Check out that landing

My favorite is when he takes a running leap into the air and lands on his knees.  I don't know how that doesn't hurt him.

A Thompson Christmas

 Yes it's cliche, but I can't believe Christmas has come and gone.  Cordon really got into it.  He frequently talked about Jesus' birthday and when Santa comes.  Christmas morning the first thing he said was "Santa's cookies?"  When we went upstairs to see if Santa ate the cookies he looked a little disappointed.  I think he was hoping they would still be around so he could eat them.  The first few presents he opened he loved it.  By the last 2 presents he was getting really annoyed at us.  He just wanted to play with his new toys and be left alone. 

 Christmas Eve at the Cheesecake factory.  This has been a tradition for the last 6 years.  It's our Christmas Eve dinner/My birthday dinner.  Holy smokes I'm 30!

 It took about 30 tries but we finally got a cute picture of the kids. 

 Eliza's new beanie and gloves.  I think babies are so cute in beanies.

 Cordon is pretty pumped with his loot.

All tuckered out from a long day.  Eliza has become a daddy's girl.  Her favorite thing to do is to snuggle on his chest and sleep. 

Merry Christmas

Cordon was trying to make a break for it.