the things we learn.

1. Busy toddlers and busy sports stadiums don't mix for more than half a game. We went to our first MSU football game last weekend. It seemed like an idyllic thing, all dressed in green with our sweet beauty. She was rather enamoured for the first . . . 15 minutes. Then we kept her busy with snacks and hot chocolate and grandma's Sprite (oh, yes, we even had Chris's parents with us as backup). Chris and I kept finding ourselves saying "Oh man I missed it!" after particularly exciting plays. It was just a bit hard to relax and enjoy. At half time we decided to head out. Carly really was a great sport, way better than I expected her to be, and we did have a lot of fun, but I think I will be limiting the amount of sporting events we take her to that we have to pay to get in.

2. When you are one year old, the best part of a MSU game is the puppy that does tricks in the endzone after each touchdown. Seriously, the guys running around hitting each other? Unnecessary. Just have that doggie catch that Frisbee over and over. Now that's entertainment.

3. General Conference is filled with talks just for me. Every time. A few things that stuck out this time around:

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  Slow down and enjoy. You don't have to be going 100 mph to be worthwhile. This was especially good to hear as a stay at home mom, who spends many days doing nothing more that playing with blocks, picking up socks, tossing rocks, and going on walks.
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  Teach your children by example. This one has been on the forefront of my mind, as I watch Carly mimic everything I do. Its scary to see how she does exactly what we do, from shrugging to dancing to wiping the floor with a rag. She will learn best by watching what I do, so I better be doing good things.
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  Stand by the Church, listen to the Prophet, hold to the doctrine, cling to the values. No matter what the world says.

{she kept waving at the brethren, like she waves at her grandparents on the webcam}

4. When you are one year old, the best part of General Conference is the hymns. Because the Tab can't do it without you.

5. A long walk in a crisp fall evening, warm gluten-free chocolate chip cookies, and a Penguins game are the best ways to end a Conference weekend. In case you were wondering.

happy weekend.

We are certainly happy the weekend is here.

We are wiped out.

Chris sat on the couch today and said "Wow, first full week of PhD school wore me out."

Whats funny?

It wasn't even a full week.

And we'll leave you with another funny story, though it may be funny only to me. A while ago I read an interview by Sidney Crosby where he was asked his favorite hockey movie. His response was "Slap Shot", and I've seen several other hockey players agree. I had never heard of the movie, but the other day we saw it on the $5 rack at Target. We joked about getting it, but when I went back today and saw it had gone down to $4, I thought, what the heck, that's about how much it would cost to rent. So I buy it and bring it home. Chris starts reading the summary on the back and then says "Ummmm . . . this movie is rated R."

You see, I have never seen a rated R movie. The Prophets have always warned against unwholesome media, and they have specifically mentioned rated R movies, so I've made it a goal, no matter how good a movie is, to never see a rated R movie unedited. Personal opinion. I couldn't believe Slap Shot was rated R. Seriously, the cover makes it look like a hockey version of Rudy. I didn't even think to look. Rated R? For reals? Chris and I talked about how it probably has nothing in it, that its the 1975 version of rated R. But we don't do exceptions in the C house. So I dug the receipt out of the garbage, and I will be getting our $4 back. Will I look crazy returning a $4 movie? Probably. But Carly is in need of some new socks. I will use the $4 on that.

Happy Weekend.

going green.

Since Chris had a break from his super-exciting orientation on Friday, Carly and I journeyed up to campus to check things out. MSU's campus is a lot bit beautiful, nestled in the middle of a forest with a river running through it. We walked the path along the river from Chris's building to the bookstore. It was a beautiful morning in a beautiful place.

I am loving Michigan. I can't really explain. Knoxville was a nice place. We made some wonderful lifelong friends there, and it was a great two years. But it always felt like a step along the way. Chris's Masters degree was a good one, but he probably could have gotten a similar degree at a few other locations. Why did the Lord take us to Tennessee? I think I know now. Chris's thesis advisor at UT was a MSU graduate. Shortly after our ultrasound with Carly, Chris felt strongly that he wanted to do research on the positive effects of exercise on pregnant women. He talked to his advisor about it, and the advisor's advisor at MSU (following me?) happened to be one of the leading researchers on exercise and pregnancy. And he happened to be coming to UT to give a guest lecture. Chris met him then, and then applied to MSU unsure whether or not he would get in to study with such a distinguished researcher. But he did. And we are here. Where I know we are supposed to be. In a place that I feel more at home in than I have in a long time. This is the place. Tennessee was our path to reach Michigan. We wouldn't have found it any other way.

I feel very blessed.