In Touch With My Inner Child

As if Chuck E. Cheese wasn't enough playtime for one week, today Joy and I went to Disneyland with some friends from church. I was surprised at how much I enjoyed our trip to The Magic Kingdom. For several years I have felt a certain antipathy toward it, mainly because I dislike the notion that you have to pay an arm and a leg to take your family to “The Happiest Place on Earth” (Grandma Sorenson says that title rightfully belongs to the temple--amen, Grandma).

Nevertheless, after spending several hours immersed in the fanciful sights, sounds, and smells of Disneyland, I discovered that I really did feel happy and I wanted to come back. Perhaps it helped that I was seeing it all from the perspective of a child—my own daughter, as well as the dozens of little girls wearing Princess ball gowns (and one girl in a Buzz Lightyear costume--rock on, girlfriend) who were obviously having the time of their lives.

Speaking of children, this evening I got to talking with some other moms about some of the sweet experiences of motherhood (when we're not changing diapers and wishing there were five more hours in the day). It occurred to me that I have achieved some fine things in my life, but somehow I feel even greater happiness watching my daughter reach her little milestones. I think we take more delight in the success of loved ones than we feel for our own achievements, especially when those loved ones are innocent children whose lives are so intimately tied to ours.

Skee Ball Plus Pizza Equals Fun

When was the last time you went to Chuck E. Cheese? Until tonight, I couldn't remember, either. Our church youth group went there this evening and we all ate (surprisingly good) pizza and played skee ball and other arcade games to our little hearts' content. The place really does make you feel like a happy-go-lucky kid, even if you're pushing 30. By golly, I think our family may pay Chuck a visit sometime soon.

Tiny Harvest, But A Harvest Nonetheless

I've already harvested a few little things from my current container gardens. There's something rather satisfying in eating something you've grown yourself, even if it's just a tiny part of your meal.

I planted the lettuce seeds way WAY too thickly in their little planter, so I thinned some of the sprouts today and had them on my turkey sandwich. Of course, it's much easier to just grow sprouts in a jar so you don't have to rinse them, but there was something rather relaxing about letting my mind wander a little as I worked in my little garden. "Lettuce-thinning meditation"--that's what it was.

Speaking of small harvests, I also added some fresh basil to a pizza the other day, and I think it added a lot to the flavor. Must post that recipe soon . . .

Miracles And Wonders Not A Few

I love the Holy Ghost. I loved feeling its deep, sweet peace today as Sister Lang shared her experience with fasting, and as Laura taught the Young Women about the Restoration and how the Gospel has blessed her family. I loved feeling it as I prayed for help tackling an assignment that overwhelmed me, after which I was blessed with ideas that leave me excited about a project that once scared me to death. Truly, as you put your trust in God and strive to draw closer to Him, your life fills with miracles and small wonders.

The Early Bird Gets The Radio

I participated in a group garage sale this morning, and I learned a couple things from the friends who organized it. First, you can advertise your upcoming sale on Craig's List. Second, the ideal time to start your sale is the unholy hour of 7:00am. We probably sold more in that first hour than in the next three combined, mostly to professional garage sale shoppers who probably own thrift stores or sell things on ebay.

I am grateful to say that my profits more than compensated for the enormous sacrifice of getting up early. Now, if I can just convince Phillip that we should invest this little windfall in our garden . . .

Fresh Air Does A Body Good

Joy is still recovering from some fun illness (probably roseola) and I suspect she's getting more teeth in. For one or both of those reasons she was fussy today and I decided she wasn't up to toddling around the park. So what did we do instead? We toddled around the neighborhood, of course. Hey, I never said parenthood made sense. At any rate, let's hope she feels better tomorrow.

Pistachio Cheesecake Is Really Ridiculously Good

Cheesecake Factory has added yet another option to its seemingly endless list of cheesecakes. When the waiter described their new Pistachio Cheesecake, it sounded intriguing and I couldn't resist trying it. It didn't supplant Tuxedo Cheesecake as my all-time favorite (let's face it--what could?) but it was still pretty dang dreamy.